Behaviour and mental health in schools inquiry launched

The Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition is launching a new inquiry on behaviour and mental health in schools.

Coalition members have long been concerned that often children and young people get punished for behaviour that is linked to their mental health, and that responses to behaviour, like the use of isolation rooms and exclusion, can further harm young people’s mental health.

This is set against a backdrop of rising mental health need among children and young people, with one in six children and young people aged 6 to 16 experiencing a mental health problem in 2021 compared to one in nine in 2017. There is an emerging body of evidence that highlights the link between behaviours that challenge and mental health problems amongst children and young people.

The Coalition believes there is a need to better understand the drivers of poor behaviour, such as mental health, trauma and inequality, with evidence suggesting that these groups are disproportionately impacted by punitive approaches to behaviour management.

The inquiry will explore the links between mental health and behaviour, how current school policies on behaviour are impacting young people and their families, and to understand what role a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing can play in improving behaviour, mental health and wellbeing. It also wants to gather best practice examples. It will cover England only and will be focused on primary and secondary schools.

The inquiry will have two key stages: firstly, a call for evidence which will consist of surveys for professionals, young people, and parent and carers; and secondly, virtual evidence sessions with key stakeholders will be hosted.