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Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health

Schools and colleges

Future in Mind, the government report of the Children and Young People’s Mental
Health Taskforce, recognised the crucial role that schools and other educational
establishments can play in identifying and supporting children and young people
with mental ill health. Schools can be put in a unique position due to the amount
of time children spend there and the opportunities this brings to build
relationships with them.

The growing use of school-based counsellors helps earlier intervention to take place
which prevents problems escalating. Recent data from a survey of teachers suggested
that 62% of schools offer counselling services to their pupils.
Source: Harland et al (2015) NFER Teacher Voice Omnibus: Questions for the
Department for Education – June 2015

Read more below in the case study about the services provided by Place2Be. This is
a charitable organisation that provides emotional support to children in schools. The
Royal Patron of Place2Be is the Duchess of Cambridge.

Case Study: Place2Be

The Place2Be model offers a flexible menu of school-based
mental health services, delivered by a team of clinical staff and
skilled volunteers. This includes weekly one-to-one counselling
sessions in school for children with the most urgent needs where
trained counsellors tailor sessions according to each child’s
needs. For younger children, a therapeutic approach encourages
children to express themselves in non-verbal ways, for example
through artwork or play. Parents and carers reported some
improvement in well-being for 74% of children who received
Place2Be counselling.

All children can refer themselves on their own, or with friends to a
Place2Talk whenever something is worrying them. Place2Be also
provides a dedicated counselling service for parents and carers to
complement the work with children, support for school staff
and teachers and training programmes for individuals
and organisations.

Source: Counselling in schools: Department for Education: A
blueprint for the future: Departmental advice for school
leaders and counsellors February 2016

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