Mental health support team's 'strong success'

SPECIALIST UNIT GETS STRUGGLING PUPILS BACK INTO CLASSROOMS

- By JOE LOCKER Local democracy reporter

A SPECIALIST team helping to get Nottingham children with serious mental health problems back into school has been hailed a success after helping around a dozen children to return to learning and saving £850,000 in the process.

The Mental Health Improving Attendance Team (MIAT), funded by Nottingham City Council, has been working with children in primary and secondary schools who have missed classes for 15 days or more.

In 23 weeks the team has supported more than 100 children and young people, with 14 cases now closed and 12 involving children returning to education.

The “trailblazing” scheme has already saved the council more than £850,000 in costs which would have come from providing alternative education and support to children while out of school.