TEN schools across the county are set to take part in a mental health pilot scheme.

The idea comes after Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) successfully bid for £50k to fund the project.

The funding, announced by Education Secretary Nicki Morgan, is part of £3million government funding for 22 pilot areas across the country to improve mental health services for children in 255 schools.

The pilot aims to promote rapid and better access to support for mental health issues in Taunton, Bridgwater and Minehead.

A single point of contact in 10 schools across Taunton, Bridgwater and Minehead will be tested and will promote more joined up working between schools and services.

Somerset’s bid was chosen from more than 80 applications to receive a boost of up to £85,000.

The single point of contact in the schools will be responsible improving knowledge and understanding of mental health issues.

More resources will be available to support and maintain children’s emotional health and wellbeing and to help ensure any referrals to specialists are appropriate.

The work will be evaluated nationally.

Andy Heron, interim chief executive of Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, welcomed the announcement.

He said: "I am pleased that Somerset Partnership has been selected to trial this single point of contact in ten of our local schools.

"The subject of mental health is still a delicate one in our society.

"The earlier we can get children to feel comfortable enough to talk about and recognise any emotional problems and mental health issues, the earlier we can treat them and the better the chances of recovery.

"I know that our staff in our CAMH service are committed to this pilot and with their commitment we can really make a difference."

Deborah Howard, Somerset CCG and Somerset County Council’s joint head of mental health services, said: "I am delighted that Somerset has been chosen as part of this exciting pilot.

"This provides an excellent opportunity to assist children and young people at a time in their lives when some may struggle with social and emotional problems.

"As a pilot area we want to see what type of support works best and share our learning with the rest of the NHS in England."

he ten Somerset schools involved in the pilot are West Somerset Community College, Minehead Middle School, Minehead First School, Heathfield Community School, Halcon Primary School, The Taunton Academy, Priorswood Primary School, Wellsprings Primary School, Robert Blake Science College and Hamp Academy Primary School.