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<p>The government remains committed to promoting and supporting the mental health
of children and young people. Access to mental health support is more important than
ever during COVID-19. NHS services remain open, leading mental health charities are
being supported to deliver additional services through the £5 million Coronavirus
Mental Health Response Fund. The NHS has set up 24/7 open access telephone lines for
urgent mental health support for people of all ages.</p><p>The Department for Education
has established a dedicated helpline and webpages covering advice for the education
sector, as well as advice for parents and carers supporting children. The GOV.UK web
pages include information about how education settings, and parents and carers, can
support children and young people who may be struggling with mental health during
this difficult time. This includes educational provision for vulnerable children and
children of key workers; safeguarding, including keeping children safe from online
harms; and advice on mental health and behaviour. Within the online education resources,
there are resources to support mental wellbeing, physical activity, and special educational
needs and disabilities.</p><p>This guidance is available at the following links:</p><p><a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-vulnerable-children-and-young-people"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-vulnerable-children-and-young-people</a>;</p><p><a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-safeguarding-in-schools-colleges-and-other-providers/coronavirus-covid-19-safeguarding-in-schools-colleges-and-other-providers"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-safeguarding-in-schools-colleges-and-other-providers/coronavirus-covid-19-safeguarding-in-schools-colleges-and-other-providers</a>;</p><p><a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-and-behaviour-in-schools--2"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-and-behaviour-in-schools--2</a>;
and</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-education-resources/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-online-education-resources-for-home-education"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-education-resources/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-online-education-resources-for-home-education</a>.</p><p>The
return to school will in itself be part of supporting mental health and wellbeing
of pupils as attendance enables social interaction with peers, carers and teachers
which benefits wellbeing. Pupil wellbeing is highlighted in curriculum considerations
for school leaders to consider in our guidance on actions for educational and childcare
settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020, which is available here:<br>
<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020</a>.
It is also included as specific a theme in the planning framework that the department
has issued, which is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020/opening-schools-for-more-children-and-young-people-initial-planning-framework-for-schools-in-england"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020/opening-schools-for-more-children-and-young-people-initial-planning-framework-for-schools-in-england</a>.
We will continue to work with school and health partners on how to make further resources
and support available to schools as children and young people return.</p>
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