A bill to make provision to require every school to have access to a qualified mental health professional; and for connected purposes.
House of Lords
29 October 2024
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
If enacted, the bill would require every state-funded school in England to have on-site access to a qualified mental health professional, either an education mental health practitioner or a school counsellor. For smaller schools (100 pupils or fewer), the duty may be met by collaborative provision with other schools. The Secretary of State would provide financial support to help deliver this, and the law would apply to England and Wales and take effect on the day it becomes law.
The bill was introduced in the Lords and published on 28 October 2024. It is currently at the 2nd reading in the Lords. The provided document trail contains no information about amendments or committee recommendations.
Generated 21 February 2026
28 Oct 2024
First reading took place on 28 October. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the bill's journey through the Lords.
What happens next?
Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the bill - is yet to be scheduled.
The Schools (Mental Health Professionals) Bill would require the governing bodies of all state-funded schools in England to ensure provision of an education mental health practitioner or a school counsellor on site. For smaller schools (100 pupils or fewer), the duty may be met through collaborative provision with other schools, and an education mental health practitioner is defined as someone with a NHS England‑commissioned graduate or postgraduate qualification. The Secretary of State would provide financial assistance to support the duty, the Act applies to England and Wales, and it comes into force on the day it is passed.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
