One of the country’s most deprived boroughs has received just 80p per child to help them with their mental health as they return to school after lockdown.
Knowsley Council has been given £22,850 as part of the government’s Wellbeing for Education Return grant, meant to help council’s cope with the mental health impact of lockdown on children.
But with more than 25,000 school-age children in the borough, Knowsley’s cabinet member for children’s services has said this is nowhere near enough.
Cllr Margaret Harvey tweeted: “Our young people have dealt with so much lately. It's bound to have had an impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
“We must ensure they have support and know where to get it. Mental health must be taken seriously and the Government must fund it properly.
“The Department for Education has announced £8m funding to support mental health and wellbeing in young people. Good news that the government are recognising this issue but this is nowhere near what is needed to fund a proper system and proper support for our young people.
“Here in Knowsley we will receive £22,000 from the Wellbeing for Education Return fund. This works out at approximately 80p per child here. When every single child has been impacted by Covid-19 that is simply not good enough.”
The money is intended to help councils deliver a training package to schools, which the government will circulate in September, and provide mental health support for schools for the next sixth months.
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A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: "Funding for the Wellbeing for Education Return programme is to cover the costs of local experts to train nominated staff in schools and FE providers to help with the additional pressures some children and young people may be feeling as a result of the pandemic.
"The grant funding allocation for the Wellbeing for Education Return is therefore based on the number of state-funded education settings – not on a per pupil basis.”
Knowsley council has also arranged for a bereavement counsellor to work with schools in the borough, while Liverpool FC’s OnTarget programme will also help pupils at some Knowsley schools cope with mental health problems.
Cllr Harvey added: “We appreciate that the last few months have been extremely challenging for our children and young people. Their usual routine has been turned upside down and many worry about how much work they need to catch up on.
“That is why we are ensuring our schools offer a range of targeted support and I would encourage any child who is worried about their mental health to take the first step and talk to a member of school staff. We are here to help.”
The coronavirus lockdown has seen mental health problems rise across all ages, with isolation and bereavement leading people to report higher levels of depression and anxiety.
But the impact of the lockdown on children has been a particular concern, with the Children’s Commissioner for England Anne Longfield warning that children living in poverty or with special needs were especially at risk.
