Gorton and Denton MP backs Plan for Change

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Gorton and Denton has come out in support of plans to ensure almost one million more young people will have access to mental health support in school this year, as Labour gets on with delivering its manifesto promise for a national rollout taking a huge step in fixing the inherited challenges facing our children.  

Under Labour’s plans, all pupils will have access to mental health support in school by 2029/30, delivering on its Plan for Change to improve children's life chances and tackle the root causes of poor attendance and behaviour.  

The support teams are made up of specialists who offer a range of help to identify and tackle issues early on, from group sessions to build children’s resilience to 1:1s helping to manage anxiety - not only tackling the crisis of poor mental health among young people, but also driving up school attendance.

New research has shown a direct link between the severity of children’s mental health problems and their likelihood to miss school.  

The new investment of up to £49m means six in ten pupils will have access to a mental health support team by March 2026, with the rollout prioritised based on NHS identification of local need and reaching the most vulnerable children first.  

It comes as Labour unveils a new programme to provide intensive support for 500 schools with significant attendance and behaviour challenges. New attendance and behaviour hubs, built around 90 schools with a track record of improving attendance and behaviour standards, will directly target the schools with the highest need as well as providing wider support for a further 4,500 in all corners of the country.  

These will work alongside new attendance and behaviour ambassadors who will be the link between schools and the government, identifying challenges and working jointly toward solutions.  

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “We inherited a system full of challenges and breaking the vicious cycle of poor mental health, low attendance and bad behaviour among children and young people is the most urgent one facing our schools – and this government is already turning the tide. 

“Expanding mental health support for young people is one of the single biggest steps we can take to improve children’s life chances, make sure all pupils are getting the very most out of school and deliver excellence for every child.  

“Taken alongside new intensive support for schools that are struggling, our free breakfast clubs for millions of children and our wider work to drive up school attendance, this government will continue using all available levers to break the destructive link between background and success and deliver on our Plan for Change.”    

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Gorton and Denton, said:  “Poor mental health is something that is raised with me time and again by young people and parents alike in Gorton and Denton. 

“That’s why I’m so proud that, through our Plan for Change, this Labour government is making good on our promises and expanding access to vital mental health support.  

“Young people growing up in Gorton and Denton deserve the best start in life – this Labour government is backing them every step of the way.”  

Poor attendance has a direct impact on a pupils’ attainment, future earnings and life chances - with persistently absent pupils in secondary school earning £10,000 less at age 28 compared to pupils with strong attendance.  

Mental Health Support Teams currently reach around seven in ten secondary school pupils.

The teams are made up of specialists who intervene early with children with mild to moderate mental health issues, empowering them to work through challenges in a calm and supportive learning environment. They also provide timely advice to school and college staff to develop a whole school approach to mental health and liaise with external specialist services such as the NHS, to help young people get the right support and stay in education.

Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:  “There has been a growing crisis in the mental health of children and young people in recent years, with too many people having to wait too long to get the help they need.  

“It is reassuring that the government recognises this problem, as well as the impact it is having in schools, and that mental health support will be available to significantly more pupils over the next year.  

“This is a welcome step towards reaching a point where all children and young people can access this specialist support if required.”  

Labour is hoping to recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers across children and adult mental health services to reduce delays and provide faster treatment. This will work alongside the further 6,500 teachers so every classroom has a brilliant teacher, to ensure that every child is supported in and outside of school.

Labour is also looking at taking wider action to drive up standards in schools across the country with innovative RISE teams, to ensure every child has a great education. They will work alongside the attendance and behaviour hubs to drive up attendance in underperforming schools so every child can achieve and thrive.