Joint call for statutory School-Based Counselling launches during Children's Mental Health Week

BACP’s partnership with Citizens UK, alongside key teaching unions and charities, has strengthened our ongoing call to secure funding for all children and young people to have access to a paid and appropriately trained school-based counsellor in every school and college in England. This would remove the current postcode lottery with some schools able to pay for additional counselling provision, others relying on third-sector providers and some having no access to counselling at all. Within our membership alone there is an underutilised workforce who have capacity to take on more work paid work, offering specialist early help counselling interventions within school and college settings which would significantly improve the mental health and wellbeing of our children and young people, their attendance and attainment and reduce pressure on CAMHS and other related services. Dr Phil James, CEO of BACP

There is a real urgency for additional resources to support the mental health and wellbeing of pupils. In this election year, we want to see all political parties commit to going further and faster, not only in extending access to school mental health support teams much more quickly, but also by funding counselling or creative therapies in all schools and easy-access support hubs in every community which offer early help to children who are struggling. Paul Whiteman, General Secretary of NAHT

The NCPS are delighted to support this call. We know that mental health support in education is inconsistent, and is largely dependent on the area in which the establishments are situated. Those who attend schools in more affluent areas are more likely to be able to see a counsellor through their school than those schools in disadvantaged areas, and while there is guidance available around counselling in schools nothing is mandated. We would like to see the best practice that is happening in well-funded areas be replicated throughout England, so that all of our young people have access to the kind of support that will work best for them. Jyles Robillard-Day, CEO of NCPS

The National Parent Survey, one of the largest parent surveys in the UK, reveals that parents are worried about their children's mental health with almost half of parents of teenagers telling us their children have suffered from anxiety. Our national survey of parents tells us about one in six teenage children have suffered from depression, that’s about five in every classroom. Parents also tell us they are not happy with the support on offer to deal with these issues. We need to recognise the scale of this issue and take urgent action to address the mental health crisis sweeping through our schools. When it comes to the General Election parties need to put forward ambitious plans to help young people suffering from anxiety and depression. Parents are raising alarm bells with us and politicians need to listen. Jason Elsom, CEO of Parentkind

As a Headteacher, I see how significant mental health is a barrier to many young people on a daily basis. The extent to which teachers and pastoral support staff are having to fill the many gaps of trained mental health support has grown exponentially. This approach is not beneficial to anyone. When mental health support is delivered by trained counsellors, young people can readily access their learning; using strategies they've learned and can be taught by teachers who can then use their training to teach. Shelley Baker, Headteacher of Varndean School, Brighton

In year 10 I was really struggling with my mental health. I was in a really negative mindset to the point it was beginning to affect me in school. I began seeing the school counsellor mid-way through Year 10. Being able to speak to somebody about how I was feeling was really beneficial, she helped me navigate and understand what I was feeling and helped me develop skills to change my mindset. Without seeing a school counsellor, and getting the help I needed, my mental health would have gotten much worse. Seeing the school counsellor helped make me feel me again and allowed me to enjoy life again. Rachel Bennett, Year 12, St Thomas More Catholic High School, North Shields

Children and young people deserve the best education we can provide. Anything that gets in the way is a problem that we need to find a solution for. That is why the worsening mental health of children and young people needs tackling proactively, even as early as primary school with qualified counsellors trained to work with children and young people. Revd Dr Simon Mason, Citizens UK