Review highlights benefits to Rutland pupils undergoing counselling sessions
The scheme's said to lessen the need for further treatment and referrals to other services
A national lottery funded project operating in Rutland schools supporting pupils mental health says the vast majority of pupils who've undergone counselling sessions don't need further treatment.
Resilient Rutland also claims referrals to Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are significantly reduced.
The 4 year national lottery funded scheme which started in 2019 has confirmed over 550 counselling sessions have been delivered to young people.
It's reviewing progress of the scheme at the end of year two to identify those elements of the project they feel need continued funding after the lottery cash has been used up.
The current project reaches six secondary schools including independents and eighteen primary schools.
"Over 550 sessions have now been delivered to young people in our schools. This service is carefully positioned to fill the gap between existing service thresholds.
"Schools report that following the sessions, the vast majority of young people do not require further professional intervention.
"This intervention only costs ÂŁ245 for an assessment and a series of six sessions. Addressing issues early avoids the escalation and significantly reduces referrals into CAMHS.
"We are seeing referrals increase, and Relate Leicestershire continue to work flexibly with the schools to determine the most appropriate medium of delivery. Each of our state secondaries receive five counselling sessions per week.
"If a school’s waiting list goes over five, extra sessions are made available to ensure a young person never has to wait longer than six weeks to be start receiving support.
"We are working hard to identify a source of funding which will allow this workstream to continue after our project comes to an end."
Resilient Rutland