Inquiry5

The Children, Young People and Education Committee undertook a detailed inquiry on improving the emotional and mental health of children and young people in Wales between July 2017 and September 2018. The original terms of reference (PDF 149KB) are available.

The Committee undertook follow-up work on this inquiry from September 2018 until the end of the Fifth Senedd (spring 2021).

Report 

Mind over Matter: A report on the step change needed in emotional and mental health support for children and young people in Wales (PDF 3,403KB) – 26 April 2018

Welsh Government Response (PDF 1,262KB) – 25 June 2018

Plenary debate and further government responses

The Committee’s report and Government response was debated in Plenary on 4 July 2018.

During the Plenary debate, the Committee rejected the Government’s June 2018 response and called on Ministers to return with a renewed approach.

A Joint Ministerial Task and Finish Group on a Whole-School Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing was established in September 2018, following the Plenary debate and further correspondence exchanged between the Government and the Committee:

·      Letter from Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services and the Cabinet Secretary for Education following the Plenary debate on Mind over Matter (PDF 202KB) – 27 July 2018

·      Letter from the Chair to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services and the Cabinet Secretary for Education on the Task and Finish Group (PDF 65KB) – 16 August 2018

·      Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services and the Cabinet Secretary for Education on the Task and Finish Group (PDF 208KB) – 7 September 2018

·      Written Statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services and the Cabinet Secretary for Education on the Task and Finish Group (PDF 144KB) – 7 September 2018

Evidence gathering

As well as gathering oral and written evidence to inform its inquiry, the Committee undertook the following programme of engagement activity:

·      Visits - the committee carried out visits in north and south Wales (PDF 378KB) to speak directly with children and young people, teachers and health practitioners.

·      Surveys - the Committee launched surveys (one survey for children and young people between the ages of 11 and 18, and one survey for education professionals). Over 2000 responses were received.

Summary of survey results:

Young people in secondary schools and colleges (PDF 632KB)

Education professionals (PDF 453KB)

A short video is also available that summarises the results of the survey and some of the key themes that arose.

·      Roundtable event - the Committee held a roundtable event (PDF 197KB) to gather the views and experiences of frontline staff who have regular contact with emotional and mental health support in schools.