Mental health training for schools

A pilot project aimed at improving the service offered to children with mental health problems will begin in 25 local authority areas in April.

Funding of £60million will be used to pay for support such as school staff with mental health expertise, training and therapists.

Schools will work with the local authority and the Primary Care Trust to develop a more coordinated approach to helping children affected and their families.

The primary schools involved will all be associated with secondary schools that have chosen to be part of the pilot project.

The 25 local authorities are: Luton, Norfolk, Suffolk, Leicester City, Lincolnshire, Hackney, Merton, Southwark, Gateshead, Northumberland, Sunderland, Blackburn and Darwen, Blackpool, Bury, Brighton and Hove, Kent, Reading, Leeds, North East Lincolnshire, Coventry, Shropshire, Wolverhampton, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Cornwall.