Written question WQ84940
- Asked by
- Altaf HussainConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
What plans does the Welsh Government have to provide Children's Mental Health First Aid training to teachers and support staff within schools?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is one of many interventions available to schools to meet the wellbeing needs of learners. Utilising the whole-school approach to wellbeing framework, published in March 2021, schools have the ability to assess their own wellbeing needs and the flexibility to decide which interventions to adopt and which best meet the needs of their school community.
We have commissioned Public Health Wales to develop an evidence based toolkit that will support schools in identifying what works to promote mental and emotional wellbeing in the school setting. It will form an independent source of advice on the range of interventions, programmes and training that is currently available and marketed to schools. Using funding provided to support implementation of the framework (as detailed in my response to your written question WQ84939) we know a number of local authorities are offering MHFA to both staff and pupils. In addition, local health boards linking with schools through CAMHS school in-reach service are also providing these courses.