b'The current landscape in schoolsGiven the limited funding for schools and widespread service reductions, the demand remains to show sustained and robust pupil attainment. Against a landscape of increasingly high levels of exclusion and suspensions there is a growing need for child social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) support in education settings. Over recent years, there has been a continuous decline in children and young peoples mental health and wellbeing, with now one in six children with a probable mental health disorder. 1Thousands of children across the UK are waiting more than a year to access the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). 2Children with SEMH identified as their primary need are 15 times more likely to be permanently excluded and 13.5 times more likely to be suspended than a child without. 3Research consistently shows that the children at greater risk of developing mental health problems, include those with SEND, children living in lower income households and children from racialised communities. 4The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated concerns and evidence suggests that some children and young peoples mental health and wellbeing has been substantially impacted during this period. In particular disadvantaged children and children with SEND, children with pre-existing mental health needs, particularly on accessing support, 5those where domestic abuse was a factor and those bereaved during the pandemic. At least 10,000 children experienced the loss of a primary caregiver across the UK due to the pandemic. 6It is widely recognised that a childs emotional health and wellbeing influences their cognitive development and learning as well as their physical and social health and their mental wellbeing in adulthood.Promoting children and young peoples mental health and wellbeing, Public Health England working with the Department for Education 7I am particularly concerned to see such a surge in demand for help in my recent research. Were seeing waiting times increase for the first time in years, and evidence of an increasing postcode lottery for children referred for treatment. Support in school is vital and thats why we are increasing the number of school mental health teams to almost 400 by April 2023, providing support to 3 million children and young people.Dame Rachel de Souza, Childrens Commissioner for England 84 bath.ac.uk'