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
30 April 2026
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The bill would require every state-funded school in England to have on-site access to a qualified mental health professional, such as an education mental health practitioner or a school counsellor. For small schools (fewer than 100 pupils), the duty can be met by working with other schools. It would be funded by government support and would apply to England and Wales, taking effect when the Act is passed.
The bill is currently at its 1st Reading in the Lords (28 Oct 2024). The published document trail shows no amendments or committee recommendations yet; the next step is the 2nd Reading in the Lords.
Generated 21 February 2026
28 Oct 2024
The 2024-26 session of Parliament has prorogued and this bill will make no further progress.
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.
