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<p>Good mental health and resilience are a priority for the Department. We have high
aspirations for all children and want them to be able to fulfil their potential, both
academically and in terms of their mental wellbeing.</p><p> </p><p>Schools have an
important role to play in supporting the mental health of children and young people.
It is for schools to decide what training their staff need, reflecting their individual
circumstances. We trust head teachers to put in place the right training, drawing
on what is available. Sources of mental health training include e-learning modules
on a wide range of mental health issues, via MindEd, a free online portal funded by
Government aimed at everyone who works with children and young people.</p><p> </p><p>We
are currently conducting a large scale survey asking schools what activities and support
they have put in place, as well as what they find are the most effective. The results
will be published next Spring.</p><p> </p><p>However, we realise that teachers are
not mental health specialists and need to know how to help pupils access specialist
support. We have contributed to a £3m joint pilot of joint training between single
points of contact in schools and children and young people’s mental health services
to improve local knowledge amongst school staff and develop effective referrals to
allow pupils to access timely specialist support.</p><p> </p><p>To improve the quality
of initial teacher training (ITT), in July 2016, the Government published a new framework
of core content for ITT, developed by an expert group chaired by Stephen Munday CBE.
The new framework of content will help to ensure that all trainee teachers are equipped
with the skills and knowledge they need to meet the Teachers’ Standards at the appropriate
level.</p>
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