Speeches by Craft.

“Do you have data as to why there is difficulty recruiting and retaining?”

“It would be helpful if you could do both.”

“Does it change the whole focus and purpose of MHSTs to then look at that “missing middle” group?”

“They are actually having that integration. A few of you have mentioned having a systemic approach, and that “missing middle” is one example of where that could really bear fruit, so it does not fall through the gap. Is there any evidence or research on the comparative impact of people in this “missing middle” not getti…”

“You said that happens sometimes, but it is not a consistent approach?”

“They are actually having that integration. A few of you have mentioned having a systemic approach, and that “missing middle” is one example of where that could really bear fruit, so it does not fall through the gap. Is there any evidence or research on the comparative impact of people in this “missing middle” not getti…”

“Are there any further support training specialist inputs that teachers need—either off the shelf or more bespoke stuff that needs to be rolled out—so that they can provide that level of support?”

“Does that feel like there are two separate things, an acknowledgement of a medical condition versus dealing with underlying mental ill health or mental wellbeing issues, and they perhaps should be looked at in a different cultural context? If you have a support team in a school, perhaps it is not best set up to deal wi…”

“Do you think it can actively be harmful?”

“I will be very brief. Just to note, I think that that “aha” that a few people said was a reflection of the fact that vaccinations are widely regarded as extreme value for money in terms of the public purse, but there is not the same emphasis on national rollout, despite our Committee repeatedly calling for that. That w…”

“Part of the delivery of mental health support will be via school staff. Do they currently feel equipped to manage the increasing levels of mental health need among children and young people? For example, I notice that an NEU survey says something about the very small number of school staff who feel that they have recei…”

“It would be helpful if you could do both.”

“Is it that the role is too convoluted? Is doing the whole school approach, interventions and staff training in one role perhaps not ideal? Should it be more of a team-based approach?”

“This is mainly to Professor Mays and Professor Ellins. Your early evaluation has identified workforce shortages, professional registration and limited career progression as key challenges for mental health support team recruitment and retention. Is the Department currently doing enough to support the recruitment and re…”

“That leads nicely on to my question. I imagine that the young people with obsessive compulsive disorder, for example, fall within that “missing middle” that we have been speaking about quite a lot. Professor Ellins, you said you would not want to see a broadening of the scope of mental health support teams to potential…”

“Does it change the whole focus and purpose of MHSTs to then look at that “missing middle” group?”

“Do you have data as to why there is difficulty recruiting and retaining?”

“You said that happens sometimes, but it is not a consistent approach?”

“Are there any further support training specialist inputs that teachers need—either off the shelf or more bespoke stuff that needs to be rolled out—so that they can provide that level of support?”

“I am running over my allotted time but, very briefly, what kind of targeted interventions or further measures—I know we are not looking for a silver bullet but if there were some real things that the Government could listen to—could be introduced to strengthen recruitment, improve retention, support longer-term career …”