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Caring for every child: how Harris is putting mental health at the heart of education
We spoke to Christian, the lead practitioner in our School Mental Health Team, about how the Federation is responding to the growing mental health needs of young people.
Recent data shows that around one in five young people aged 8–16 is living with a probable mental disorder, a prevalence that rose during the pandemic and has remained high since. In 2023–24, referrals to NHS children and young people’s mental health services exceeded capacity in many areas, with thousands of young people waiting more than 12 weeks for a first appointment. These pressures highlight the importance of earlier intervention in schools, preventing emerging difficulties from developing into more serious conditions. Christian explains how Harris is shaping an innovative model of school-based mental health support to meet this need.
Intentional about being research-led and data-driven, the team focuses on delivering high-quality, low-to-medium intensity interventions in Harris schools. Research consistently supports the effectiveness of targeted, one-to-one support, and the Federation model allows practitioners to be deployed across multiple schools, extending access to expertise where it is most needed. By strengthening identification and referral processes, students with mild to moderate mental health concerns are supported in accessing help early and therefore avoid having to wait until difficulties escalate to crisis or require specialist services.
The team meets regularly for group supervision and ongoing professional development. This ensures that the team’s interventions remain evidence-based, up-to-date, and of the highest clinical standard.
Improving mental health outcomes in students goes beyond targeted support. Federation-wide initiatives also include:
- Training teaching staff to spot signs early, ensuring students can be supported before difficulties escalate. This has included training in Youth Mental Health First Aid, with plans to offer tailor-made teacher workshops in the role of teaching staff in improving mental health outcomes in students.
- Building research and sector partnerships to shape national practice, including our unique collaboration with King’s College London and Maudsley Hospital on the links between school attendance and mental health.
- Securing external support to expand services year on year, piloting new approaches and strengthening partnerships with charities and digital providers to ensure more children in more schools can access high-quality care.
This has been a sustained and determined effort – and Harris will continue to deepen our provision and share what works so that more young people can thrive, here and across the country.
Christian says:
“By taking what we know works and doing it exceptionally well, we hope to not only make a difference in the lives of individual students but also contribute to a school culture where every child knows they are valued and never has to struggle alone.”