Lack of mental health support leads to schools calling 999

In the document, head teachers cited incidents where schools were even asked to pay for services to support vulnerable students, which should be provided by health services.

The Association of School and College Leaders, which represents secondary school heads, told the committee’s inquiry into the mental health of looked after children: "Even in situations where a child needs immediate support (due to being a risk to themselves or others) Camhs (child adolescent and mental health services) may not be available.

"This means that schools and colleges are sometimes forced to either call the police or to send the child or young person to A&E to ensure they are seen by a properly trained mental health worker.

"There needs to be a much better system in place that can provide immediate support."

The comments have arisen as the government has begun plans to phase in the replacement for statements of educational special needs.

The government has announced it has earmarked £1.4 billion for children’s mental health.

Teaching union NASUWT voiced concerns over mental health services, worrying that schools were being requested to pay for NHS staff and educational psychologists to help asses children’s needs.

The NASUWT submission said: "Such practice is unacceptable... it is likely to lead to delay or even prevent children and young people with Send (special educational needs and disability) from receiving the support they need."

The NAHT evidence said there was ‘a need for increased secure funding for schools’.

It added: “It is vital to carry out research into what proportion of a school’s budget is used to provide health or social care services, or is spent on dealing with behaviours that result from a lack of preventative work in mental health.”

Read more