School closures during the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in increased concerns about pupil self-harm, according to a survey conducted by the National Governance Association (NGA) in England. The survey found that governing boards, trustees, and academy committee members have noted a rise in self-harm reports, with one governor stating that there is a “high rate” of children self-harming.
The survey also highlighted increased worry over safeguarding concerns since the beginning of the pandemic, with neglect, domestic abuse, and bullying, including cyberbullying, identified as the top three issues. Out of the 2,695 people who responded to the Annual Governance Survey, more than 55% reported an increase in safeguarding concerns, while only 3% reported a decrease.
According to Sam Henson, the NGA’s director of policy and communications, the impact of school closures during the lockdown continues to affect schools in 2023. He emphasized that schools and trusts in England are still dealing with the “aftershocks” of the pandemic, along with emerging obstacles.
The survey showed that neglect and domestic abuse were major concerns for primary schools, while secondary schools were particularly worried about online abuse. Bullying, both traditional and cyberbullying, was a problem across both primary and secondary phases. Respondents to the survey highlighted self-harm and other mental health concerns as their largest and fastest-growing concerns.
In addition to the increase in safeguarding issues, the survey found a spike in challenging student behavior, with 68% of respondents reporting an increase over the past year. Secondary schools had the highest percentage at 84%.
The survey also revealed that methods of support for students’ mental health and well-being have declined since 2022, with almost all methods of support dropping by at least 6%. This has placed a strain on external services, impacting schools and trusts across the country.
Other findings from the survey included financial challenges in balancing school budgets, poor school building conditions, and low satisfaction with the government’s performance on education among governing boards.
NGA’s Mr. Henson emphasized the need for schools to strengthen safeguarding policies and address the root causes of challenging behavior. He stated that there is a clear consensus among governing boards that the situation is not good enough for children, families, and staff.
In response to the survey findings, a government spokesperson highlighted the government’s support for the expansion and transformation of mental health services through the NHS Long Term Plan. They also mentioned the increase in the number of Mental Health Support Teams to provide early mental health support in schools.