As the newly established UK Trauma Council today (Thursday 17 September 2020) publish a policy briefing on strategic priorities for responding to childhood trauma following the Coronavirus pandemic, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “Now children are physically back in school the challenge is not just to make up for missed education but to support pupils mental health and wellbeing.

“All the resources and services that should be there to help children and young people need to be operating efficiently and effectively together in order to make a difference. Schools cannot do it alone – they will need timely access to the right specialist services which need to have the capacity to help. Sadly those services have been as starved of funding as education over the last decade. The government must ensure that sufficient money is invested in supporting children’s mental health now, or risk failing children just as they most need help.

“NAHT are pleased to welcome the establishment of the UK Trauma Council, to encourage collaboration on mental health and to drive positive change for children and young people who have experienced trauma.”

Press and Media contacts:

Steven George
NAHT Head of Press and Media
01444 472886
07970 907730

Rose Tremlett 
Senior Press Officer 
07545 354363

Email : press.office@naht.org.uk