School staff in Penarth and across the country are set to receive more funding from the Welsh Government for mental health and wellbeing support.

Spending for staff will increase from £350,000 in 2021-22 to £1.25 million in 2022-23, with plans for funding to keep rising year-on-year to over £3 million by 2024-25.

The additional funding is part of the Welsh Government's 'whole-school approach', where £12.2 million for staff and student mental health and wellbeing support will be spent in the next financial year.

More training for support staff in schools and reducing waiting lists to receive support are some of the areas the funding will target.

Jeremy Miles, Minister for Education and Welsh Language, said: "COVID-19 has presented new challenges for schools and learners, as we all adjusted to changes to the way we live our lives. The pandemic has emphasised the need for us to build resilience, by strengthening and widening the support net for learners and staff.

"As well as continuing to provide support for children and young people, the next phase of funding aims to boost support for school staff in particular, by trebling the support next year.

"We have invested in increasing support during the pandemic, but I am clear that this is not a one-off, short-term measure – I want to build up the support year-on-year, to make it easier for staff and learners to access the support they need when they need it."

Funding will aim to tackle waiting lists, increase support for younger children and provide more training for support staff in schools, including on the impact of COVID-19.

The new funding will also be targeted towards well-being support for learners in Pupil Referral Units, with £1.45 million announced over the next three years.

A review of school and community-based counselling services was published on March 17, 2022.