Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru | National Assembly for Wales

Y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg | Children, Young People and Education Committee

Blaenoriaethau ar gyfer y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg | Priorities for the Children, Young People and Education Committee

CYPE 59

Ymateb gan : Gwasanaeth Ieuenctid Caerffili – Fforwm Ieuenctid Caerffili

Response from : Caerphilly Youth Service - Caerphilly Youth Forum

Question 1 – Within the remit set out above: what do you consider to be the priorities or issues that the Children, Young People and Education Committee should consider during the Fifth Assembly?

Education on Mental Health. Young people state:

· More knowledge of Mental Health in order to maintain personal health and to be aware of Mental Health issues others may face.

· Awareness of Mental Health should begin in primary school, at an age appropriate level to begin challenging stereotypes and enabling an open discussion about mental health from a young age

· Mental Health 1st aid should be compulsory across all comprehensive schools. Young people from the age of 14 should be educated.

· Access to Mental Health Services needs to be improved. Waiting lists for specialist services need to be improved to reduce the likelihood of the health condition worsening.

· People need to be treated as individuals with mental health issues, not stereotyped for the illness.

· More funding needs to be allocated specifically to support Mental Health Work specifically for children and young people in Wales.

PSE needs to be delivered effectively. Young people state:

· Pupils often report this lesson has been used for revision and they do not have access to a sufficient PSE curriculum.

· PSE needs to be a subject which has specialist teachers. They need to participate in regular training and the curriculum would need to be reviewed each year to ensure it is delivering against current trends.

· Life skills need to be taught in schools via PSE, this would include lessons such as Finances, understanding job applications, health issues, driving theory etc.

· First aid to be a compulsory lesson in comprehensive schools.

Work Experience needs to be re-established. Young people state:

· Work experience is required in order to gain employment, without this young people are at a disadvantage in gaining employment.

Support for pupils. Young people state:

· Some young people need one to one support to help them learn. It seems to be easier to have one to one support in a primary school, compared to comprehensive schools. This also stops disruptive behaviour in class.

Question 2 – From the list of priorities or issues you have identified, what do you consider to be the key areas that should be considered during the next 12 months (please identify up to three areas or issues)? Please outline why these should be considered as key priorities.

• Effective delivery of PSE across all schools.

This should be considered as a key priority as a curriculum around

life skills will help tackle other issues raised such as mental health

issues . Teachers need to be specific PSE teachers who are regularly

trained as the issues facing young people can change frequently.

• Education on mental health.

Challenqinq perceptions of mental health from a younqer aqe will

help to challenge stereotypes and encourage people to be more open about mental health issues they may face.