§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the evidence published by the Mental Health Foundation about the emotional development of the nation's children. [95217]
§ Jacqui SmithWe welcome the Mental Health Foundation's Report "Bright Futures". An official from my Department had observer status on the steering group which guided Bright Future's preparation and will tomorrow attend a seminar the Mental Health Foundation is holding to review its impact.
My officials are working with their Department of Health counterparts to ensure that policy on child and adolescent mental health services takes account of educational considerations. We shall further consider Bright Futures in the context of the forthcoming review of the guidance we issue to schools and local education authorities on the education of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.