Place2Be uses evidence and experience to shape policy across the UK.

Our policy recommendations are based on what we learn through our work in schools. We then use these to improve children and young people’s mental health across England, Wales and Scotland.

We also seek opportunities to work with policymakers who can help deliver our mission to ensure that no child or young person faces mental health problems alone.

Our policy recommendations

We have developed some policy recommendations based on our experience working with schools across the UK for almost 30 years.

Read more about our policy recommendations

Informing and influencing policy

We influence policy by sharing our evidence and recommendations with political inquiries and consultations.

Our responses to key mental health and wellbeing inquiries

• Green Paper: Transforming Children and Young People's Mental Health Provision
• Health and Social Care Select Committee Inquiry into children's mental health in England
• Government consultation on mental health and wellbeing
• Health and Social Care Select Committee Inquiry into men’s health
• Government consultation on the Major Conditions Strategy
• Health and Social Care Select Committee Inquiry into prevention in health and social care.

Our response to key education and schools inquiries

• Department for Education’s call for evidence on behaviour
• Education Select Committee Inquiry into the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on education and children’s services
• Education Select Committee Inquiry into the work of Ofsted with schools
• Education Select Committee Inquiry into persistent absence and support for disadvantaged pupils
• Education Select Committee Inquiry into the effects of screen time on children’s wellbeing
• All Party Parliamentary Group Evidence session on inclusion in schools
• Sector briefing on school exclusions.

Involving politicians in our work

In addition to providing evidence to consultations, we work directly with politicians to show them the impact of our work in schools providing mental health support.

Visits to our partner schools

In 2022, the Scottish Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Kevin Stewart was welcomed to Balgreen Primary School in Edinburgh. Here, he learned first-hand the impact of Place2Be's embedded mental health services.

Speaking in Parliament

We send Members of the Houses of Parliament briefings with key information for them to include in debates. This can help to hold the Government to account in supporting children and young people’s wellbeing.

For example, Baroness Blower spoke about Place2Be in a debate on Vulnerable Teenagers.

Children's Mental Health Week

As part of Children’s Mental Health Week 2022, Place2Be representatives held events in the Palace of Westminster and the Scottish Parliament:

• In Westminster, over 40 Members of Parliament (MPs) met Place2Be representatives and headteachers to learn more about our work within the school community. Guests included the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Minister for Children and Families, and the Shadow Ministers for Mental Health and Children.
• In Holyrood, 50 Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs) dropped by our exhibition stand in the Garden Lobby to learn more about our services and to show their support. Attendees included Ministers Maree Todd and Clare Haughey.

Social media

In Children’s Mental Health Week 2023, the #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek hashtag was one of the most used by MPs across the UK. There were supportive tweets from:

• 10 Downing Street and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
• the Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing
• the Minister for Mental Health
• the Department for Health and Social Care
• the Department for Education
• the NHS. 

Find out more about our impact

Working in partnership

Place2Be works in partnership with other organisations that want to improve children’s and young people's mental health.

Find out more about our partnerships

Contact us

For more information, please get in touch with our team by emailing policy@place2be.org.uk.