Cwestiwn ysgrifenedig WQ84303

I want all children and young people to grow up healthy, safe and happy. Mental health and wellbeing of all learners is an issue which is very important to me and the new curriculum's mandatory area of learning and experience for Health and Wellbeing, to be taught in schools from September 2022 will enhance the focus on health and wellbeing.

The Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act contains a range of provisions aimed at ensuring that health and wellbeing, and specifically mental health, will form part of the curriculum for every school and setting. Mental health and emotional wellbeing is included as a key concept within the mandatory What Matters Code, and is specified in the following terms: “How we process and respond to our experiences affects our mental health and emotional well-being.”

The Curriculum for Wales guidance describes in great detail, how schools and other settings should embed mental health and emotional wellbeing in their curriculum. There is a range of support and guidance available for schools, including a National Network that has been established to bring together teaching professionals, experts, stakeholders, policy makers and enabling partners to identify and address the barriers to, and opportunities for, the implementation of Curriculum for Wales, including health and well-being. The conversations will provide a key opportunity to discuss a National approach to resources, supporting materials and professional learning needs.

Linked to this I also refer you to my earlier response to your written question (WQ84302(e)). I have been clear that the statutory guidance we issued in March 2021 (Framework on embedding a whole school approach to emotional and mental wellbeing) is designed to support the whole school community in improving wellbeing. Equally it is clear that it is the responsibility of the whole school community, from administrative staff; teaching and other support staff; up to the senior leadership team to place wellbeing at the heart of school life, starting with but not limited to the curriculum. We are supporting schools and other partners to implement the guidance using the £9m funding available in the current year and will continue to keep activity and progress under review as noted in my response to your question (WQ84302(e)).