To think there needs to be a public inquiry into child development

I think some decent parenting wouldn't go amiss.
When out and about there seems to be very little parenting and a lot of screens.
Babies being pushed in prams with adult staring at a screen or bellowing a one sided phone conversation.
On public transport with a screen propped up in front of them in a buggy, or in cafés with screen propped up in the table.
Running around in the park causing chaos with carer sat oblivious scrolling on phone
There appears to be very little human interaction going on, and even less acknowledgement of other people and how they and their child's behaviour may be impacting others.

YANBU The decline in children's mental health and number of children not attending school. is huge. Parenting, academic pressure, screens? Who knows what the main cause is but a formal review would be a great start.

I’ve got my own theories too. Nothing proven but having been in the education sector for a very long time I’ve seen a shift in parenting, families, housing, work ethic, blame culture, diet, exercise, SEN provision, play and language and none of it is a healthy mix.

School doesn't suit all children.
A good number of the poorly behaved children will do just fine when out of the school environment doing something less stressful for them.

I completely agree.

BusyCM
I don't see much disruptive behaviour, I've been a cm for 15 years and have my own teens....most children are polite, well behaved, kind, engaged.... most of the time.
Well you’re very lucky, in my son’s school there’s someone suspended weakly, regular stories of pupils telling the teachers to eff off, breaking things, messing with dangerous equipment (eg woodwork saws, setting fires with Bunsen burners). My son doesn’t go to the bathroom in his school or use the lockers. And I hear it everywhere. And this is a ‘good’ school!!! I sometimes feel sorry for the kids sometimes though, son will say they’re nice but just mess, it’s like they can’t help it. I always think ‘at what point did it get to this for them and how will their story go’

ps yes I know that sounds weird and sappy, but my son would say if they were just assholes!!!

I agree op that there is an issue, I have my own completely unproven theory as to why but people won't like it - however my friend who a child development specialist working for camhs completely agrees with me - it's screens, not just for the youngsters but their caregivers ignoring them for too much of the time. She also thinks young children do too many organised activities and not enough free play in the 1-4 age group. Her dc are teens, one neurodiverse, so she does understand that side but she isn't convinced that congenital neurodivergence is the who story, she thinks we are requiring toddlers brains, I'm not necessarily convinced but something is afoot

I agree. I think it’s a mix of overworked parents (capitalism) and a really unchildfriendly education system (I work in education). Also very poor mental health services.

I don't see much disruptive behaviour, I've been a cm for 15 years and have my own teens....most children are polite, well behaved, kind, engaged.... most of the time.

The odd child with 'problems' either goes on to have an ND diagnosis or has a disruptive home life with ineffective parenting. I wouldn't say this has particularly increased though.

There is a very passive style of parenting at the moment which gives parents more trouble in the long term but the children react well to my routine, boundaries and behaviour modelling so I don't get involved, they will soon realise!

How are you defining the "quality of the public"?

Hi @WhyDoesItAlways. It’s a good question. Here’s a recent article from the BMJ re an ‘appalling decline’ in child health, including mental health

https://www.bmj.com/content/384/bmj.q313

Also similar on the decline in child development in the under twos

https://send-network.co.uk/posts/falling-behind-a-decrease-in-the-percentage-of-two-year-olds-reaching-the-expected-level-of-development

Sorry typo - made up stats* What makes you think 1 in 10 won't be able to work?

There seems to be a lot of anecdotal evidence and made to stats in your OP. Can you back up your assertions with any sourced data?