Blog

What the recent government white paper means for the children we support

30th April 2026

A shared vision for whole-child education  

At TLG, we exist to bring early, preventative, relational support to children who are struggling — in the schools and communities where they already are. When the government published Every Child Achieving and Thriving earlier this year, setting out a broader vision for childhood and education, we read it carefully and welcomed much of what we found. 

The paper argues that the purpose of education is not only academic attainment but helping children and young people to feel they belong, and to thrive as whole people. This reflects what we see every day: children's learning is inseparable from emotional wellbeing, relationships, family circumstances and a sense of belonging. In the midst of a growing children's mental health crisis, that whole-child approach is more urgent than ever. 

We particularly welcome the paper's emphasis on early intervention, inclusive mainstream practice, and support that wraps around the school so children receive help before difficulties escalate into crisis. The paper recognises both rising need, the reality of long waits and unmet demand for mental health support. But system change takes time, and many children need help now. That is why we believe early, preventative, trauma-informed support - delivered in the places children already are - is the right response. 

 

How TLG is already turning this vision into reality 

The paper describes an ambition. TLG is already living it.  

Our Early Intervention programme provides weekly in-school support to over 700 children, with 91% showing improved coping skills, confidence and engagement, and a 53% reduction in the likelihood of permanent exclusion. Attendance improves too. Some of the children we work with had become emotionally based school avoiders, but coaching gave them a reason to come in. As one child put it simply: "It makes Mondays easier coming to school." 

Behaviour changes as well. One Year 6 boy was struggling to regulate his emotions and was close to being moved to a Pupil Referral Unit. Through Early Intervention, he learned practical ways to manage anger. As one headteacher told us: "At a time when it is challenging to get children the help they need, TLG is an incredible provision. Coaching is improving the life chances of a substantial number of our children." 

Alongside individual coaching, our Therapeutic Hubs build a school's wider capacity to respond to emotional wellbeing needs. At St Nicholas Primary School in Beverley, this includes the delivery of one-to-one therapeutic counselling, weekly small-group sessions focused on self-esteem, resilience and emotional understanding, and therapeutic group sessions for parents and carers — bringing families into the support. The hub also connects families to a wider caring community through Latimer Church, a long-standing partner placing trained coaches in school. This is exactly the kind of school-anchored, community-connected wraparound support the paper envisions. 

 

The role of the Church 

The white paper makes a striking observation: out of 27 European countries, the UK is last in how happy 15-year-olds are with their lives. It identifies belonging as something we have simply not prioritised for our young people. We agree and believe the Church has a vital role to play in addressing that. 

Local churches are trusted, relational and rooted in their communities. They offer something that statutory services cannot always provide: continuity, belonging and practical care across a child's whole life. When resourced through TLG's training and programmes, churches become not a replacement for public services, but a vital partner in the wraparound support the paper calls for - meeting needs before they escalate into crisis and helping children find the wider network of trusted adults they need. 

 

Stand with us 

Children's needs are rising. Schools are carrying more complexity than ever. And a generation of young people are struggling to feel they belong. 

The government has set out a vision. TLG, and the churches, schools and supporters behind us, are already working to make it real. If you want to be part of that, the most immediate thing you can do is support our work financially so we can reach more children now, while the systems around them are still catching up. 

You can also explore partnership with your church or school, or simply share this response with someone who cares about children's wellbeing. Every connection widens the network of care these children need. 

Thank you for standing with TLG.