The Department for Education and the NHS are jointly funding 82 trailblazer sites across England to expand access to mental health care for children and young people via schools and colleges.

Mental Health Support Teams in these areas provide early intervention on some mental health and emotional wellbeing issues, as well as helping staff within a school or college setting to provide a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.

Nevertheless, early intervention is just one piece of the puzzle. By the time a child is excluded and being educated in alternative provision, the level of presenting need tends to be much greater. We are concerned that the current programme design, with its focus on early intervention and low-intensity delivery, may not be suitable for pupils outside of mainstream school.