81% of teachers expect further declines in pupils’ mental health

Education professionals admit they haven’t had sufficient training to deal with mental health problems amongst students

High Speed Training offers complimentary safeguarding advice to alleviate pressure on teachers

Despite the vast majority of teachers (81 per cent) raising concerns that they expect mental health problems amongst their pupils to increase throughout the 2020/21 academic year, over a quarter (28 per cent) of schools have not yet updated their safeguarding policies to reflect children’s needs.

According to the study conducted amongst education professionals from across the UK, pupils in key stage three are of most concern, with teachers expecting bigger declines in mental health and increased safeguarding issues compared to those in other age groups.

Where children have not previously had an existing safeguarding issue, teachers’ greatest worries while coronavirus restrictions remain in place are children falling behind (63 per cent), pupils’ mental health (62 per cent) and access to school meals (42 per cent).

Although teachers expect to see a rise in various safeguarding issues, High Speed Training’s research revealed that almost a third (31 per cent) admit they have not had sufficient training to deal with the problems they might face.

To help combat the issue, High Speed Training has launched a hub of content dedicated to supporting school workers through providing complimentary resources on all aspects of safeguarding.

Catherine Talbot, Education Sector Analyst and Course Lead at High Speed Training, said:

“Months of virtual learning and returning to school in extremely different circumstances are taking their toll on children’s wellbeing. Safeguarding is a complex issue but right now it has never been more important.

“Through such testing times, it’s imperative that those working in the education sector feel confident that they have the necessary knowledge, training and expertise to deal with concerns raised by pupils. As a company that’s dedicated to lifelong learning, we hope the resources we’re providing go some way to helping teachers feel better equipped to support students’ changing needs as best they can.”