The Government is grateful for the Good Childhood Report and has noted its findings. The Children\u2019s Commissioner\u2019s Family Review covers similar issues and the Government\u2019s response to this will be published imminently.<\/p>
The recommendation to create a cabinet level minister for children was addressed in the Government\u2019s response to the final report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. We accept the importance of placing the best interests of the child front and centre in policy and decision making at the highest level of government. This role is already fulfilled through the work of the Secretary of State for Education.<\/p>
We are implementing the proposals of the Government\u2019s Transforming children and young people\u2019s mental health Green Paper which includes establishing mental health support teams in schools and providing training to Senior Mental Health leads in schools.<\/p>
The Department for Education publishes an annual State of the Nation report into Children\u2019s wellbeing. The report brings together a range of published information from government, academic, voluntary, and private sector organisations to provide a clear narrative for all those interested in the wellbeing of children and young people in England. It provides a shared evidence base for everyone \u2013 in government, services, schools and colleges, parents and families, communities, and employers \u2013 to reflect upon and deliver better wellbeing outcomes for all children and young people.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4948", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Markham"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Markham"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-10-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-10-25T11:24:04.997Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-10-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Health"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Children's Society's The Good Childhood Report 2023, published on 20 September, and what plans they have to implement its recommendations to promote the wellbeing of children.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4312", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Durham"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "The Lord Bishop of Durham"} ], "uin" : "HL10524"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1650435", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1650435/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The department is committed to ensuring all schools are calm, safe and supportive learning environments that promote and support wellbeing.<\/p>
To support this, the department is offering all schools and colleges funding to train a senior mental health lead who can put in place an effective whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing. Over 13,800 schools and colleges have now received a training grant, including more than 7 in 10 state-funded secondary schools.<\/p>
To help children understand and look after their own wellbeing, as at September 2020, the department\u2019s Health Education curriculum has a strong focus on mental wellbeing. Pupils are taught about the link between physical and mental health, how to recognise and talk about their emotions, and how and where to seek support if they are concerned about their own or someone else\u2019s mental wellbeing.<\/p>
When a child or young person is struggling with their mental health, it is vital to intervene early. That is why the department is working with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to continue the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams across schools and colleges. These teams currently cover 35% of pupils in schools and learners in further education and we estimate this will increase to around 44% by April 2024.<\/p>
The Department publishes annual State of the Nation reports on children and young people\u2019s wellbeing. These reports draw together the best available evidence and inform work across government to support young people's wellbeing. The latest report, published February 2023, can be accessed here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1134596/State_of_the_nation_2022_-_children_and_young_people_s_wellbeing.pdf<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4806", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Claire Coutinho"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Surrey"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Claire Coutinho"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-14T12:47:21.937Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Health"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve the wellbeing of children in school.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4653", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Morgan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Portsmouth South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Morgan"}
], "uin" : "192634"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1647759", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1647759/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The information requested is not held from other countries. Height and weight measurements are collected in England from approximately 500,000 children per year in reception year, aged four to five years old, as part of the National Child Measurement Programme. The collection started in 2006/07 and the latest available data is for 2021/22. Additionally, measured height and weight of children has been collected in the Health Survey for England for 1995 to 2019.<\/p> Data is collected in Scotland and Wales in both an annual child measurement programme and annual health survey, and in the health survey Northern Ireland. However, no data is published for height and weight that is comparable to the data published for England.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4948", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Markham"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Markham"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-03T12:30:44.983Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-06-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Health"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government whether comparative data is kept on the average height and/or weight of children aged 5 in the UK as compared to other countries.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/499", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Campbell-Savours"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Campbell-Savours"}
], "uin" : "HL8748"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1420834", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1420834/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The wellbeing of children and young people is a priority for this government and is central to achieving its aims. The department uses several different courses of information to support its understanding of children and young people\u2019s wellbeing, including the annual State of the Nation: children and young people\u2019s wellbeing report. The report brings together publicly available data, including data on wellbeing collected regularly by the Office of National Statistics.<\/p> The latest State of the Nation report was published on 8 February 2022. Its findings highlight early signs that suggest children\u2019s and young people\u2019s wellbeing is gradually improving. The report also underlines the link between regular school attendance and positive welfare, emphasising the positive impact of face-to-face learning.<\/p> The department continues to monitor the emerging evidence on the experiences of children and young people during the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure the short-term and long-term measures established by the government are informed by the most up-to-date evidence. Such evidence includes the regular surveillance reports on the impacts of the outbreak, including children and young people, conducted by Public Health England (PHE). PHE\u2019s report on population mental health and wellbeing in England during the COVID-19 outbreak was most recently updated on 18 November 2021, and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-mental-health-and-wellbeing-surveillance-report<\/a>.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4423", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Will Quince"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Colchester"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Will Quince"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-02-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-02-16T14:02:16.883Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2022-02-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Health"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what indicators his Department uses to measure children's wellbeing nationally.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4799", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Charlotte Nichols"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Warrington North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Charlotte Nichols"}
], "uin" : "120947"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1380279", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1380279/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The wellbeing of children and young people is a priority for this government and is central to achieving the aims of the department. We have committed to publishing \u2018state of the nation: children and young people\u2019s wellbeing\u2019 reports annually to bring together publicly available data, including data collected regularly by the Office of National Statistics on wellbeing.<\/p> As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, the department announced £17 million towards improving mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people. This included £9.5 million to offer training for senior mental health leads in around a third of all state schools and colleges in financial year 2021/22, helping them to implement effective holistic approaches to mental health and wellbeing, and £7 million to Wellbeing for Education Recovery, enabling local authorities to continue supporting schools and colleges until the autumn to meet ongoing mental wellbeing needs.<\/p> The autumn 2021 Spending Review delivers an additional £4.7 billion for the core schools\u2019 budget by financial year 2024-25, compared to previous plans. This includes an additional £1.6 billion for schools and high needs in financial year 2022-23, on top of the funding we have previously announced. It also includes an additional £1 billion for a recovery premium over the next two academic years, 2022/23 and 2023/24.<\/p> Beyond this, the department is investing up to £5 billion to support recovery for children and young people who need it most. This includes the recovery premium for this academic year worth over £300 million, weighted so that schools with more disadvantaged pupils receive more funding.<\/p> On 10 October 2020, the department published the second annual report which focused on children and young people\u2019s experience associated with wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak. The report is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/state-of-the-nation-2020-children-and-young-peoples-wellbeing<\/a>. The report has helped the government, children and young people\u2019s services, schools, parents, and anyone interested in children and young people\u2019s wellbeing to understand their experiences of the COVID-19 outbreak, the measures put in place to reduce the impact of the outbreak, and the broader effects on society. The third report is due to be published in February 2022.<\/p> The department continues to monitor the emerging evidence on the experiences of children and young people during the outbreak to ensure the support measures put in place by the government, including in the longer term, are informed by the most up-to-date evidence.<\/p> In particular, Public Health England is monitoring the impacts of the outbreak, including on children and young people, and is publishing regular surveillance reports. Their report about population mental health and wellbeing in England during the COVID-19 outbreak was last updated on 8 April 2021: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-mental-health-and-wellbeing-surveillance-report<\/a>.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4423", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Will Quince"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Colchester"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Will Quince"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-11-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-11-29T16:02:32.55Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-11-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Health"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a comprehensive national measurement of children\u2019s well-being in the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"}
], "uin" : "78407"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1311546", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1311546/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The wellbeing of children and young people is a priority for this government. It is central to achieving the aims of the department and we have committed to publishing \u2018State of the Nation: Children and Young People\u2019s Wellbeing\u2019 reports annually to bring together publicly available data, including that collected regularly by the Office of National Statistics on wellbeing.<\/p> On 10 October 2020, the department published the second annual report which focused on children and young people\u2019s experience associated with wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak. The report is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/state-of-the-nation-2020-children-and-young-peoples-wellbeing<\/a>. The report has helped the government, children and young people\u2019s services, schools, parents and anyone interested in children and young people\u2019s wellbeing to understand their experiences of the COVID-19 outbreak, the measures put in place to reduce the impact of the outbreak, and the broader effects on society.<\/p> We are continuing to monitor the emerging evidence on the experiences of children and young people during the outbreak to ensure the support measures being put in place by the government, including in the longer term, are informed by the most up-to-date evidence.<\/p> In particular, Public Health England is monitoring the impacts of the outbreak, including on children and young people, and is publishing regular surveillance reports. Their report about population mental health and wellbeing in England during the COVID-19 outbreak was last updated on 8 April 2021: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-mental-health-and-wellbeing-surveillance-report<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4674", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Vicky Ford"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Chelmsford"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Vicky Ford"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-27T11:59:49.133Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Health"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of establishing an annual survey of children's wellbeing.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4510", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Helen Hayes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dulwich and West Norwood"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Helen Hayes"}
], "uin" : "185980"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1308063", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1308063/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The government appreciates the concerns raised from the findings of the Children Society\u2019s Good Childhood Report 2020. We believe that the safety and wellbeing of children and young people is of fundamental importance, and the government is supporting the education sector to identify and respond to children and young people\u2019s individual needs. It is crucial that children and young people are able to access the help and support they require to keep them healthy and safe.<\/p>