The Race Equality Foundation is proud to be part of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition. Today sees the launch of our Behaviour and Mental Health in Schools report, which is based on a year-long inquiry conducted by the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition into mental health and behaviour in schools.
The inquiry aimed to explore the links between behaviour and mental health, to look at the impact of school behavioural policies on children and young people, and to understand what can be done to improve the approach to behaviour and mental health in schools. The inquiry asked young people, parents, carers and professionals their views on current approaches to behaviour management and mental health in schools and how they can be improved, via an online survey and evidence sessions.
The report finds that whilst it is important for schools to have clear expectations and boundaries in place, punitive approaches to behaviour management are harming children and young people’s mental health. The report calls for a wholescale culture shift in how behaviour is viewed and responded to in schools. This should be accompanied by developing supportive and inclusive school environments. But schools cannot do this alone. In our recommendations, we set out the actions that the national government, local systems, and schools can take to create the change that is needed to build effective systems of support around children, young people and their families.
Read more about our findings:
- Main report
- Key messages briefing: This document summarises the key findings and recommendations from the report.
- Case Studies of Best Practice: This briefing sets out studies of best practice that we gathered to support the inquiry.
- Resources and research: This document collates the resources, research and literature we were made aware of during the inquiry.
- Parliamentary briefing: This briefing for MPs, Peers and decision makers sets out our main findings.
- Press release
- Illustration: This image provides a visual representation of our findings.
- Video:Watch our video below