National backing for Radio Aire's school counsellors campaign
Council leaders across England want every school to have a counsellor
Last updated 7th Feb 2018
Radio Aire’s Problem Shared campaign is in the national spotlight as councils across England demand funding for school counsellors.
We’re calling for every school to have a counsellor following the death of Morley pupil Daniel Long, who took his own life at the age of 15 because he became so stressed revising for his GCSEs.
Now the Local Government Association – which represents 370 councils in England and Wales – is asking the government to give schools the cash to provide that.
It comes amid growing concerns that some children and young people are being forced to wait up to 18 months for vital support.
Daniel’s mum Emma Oliver told Radio Aire it’s good to see the issue being raised nationally.
“Daniel was such a good kid,” she says.
“He wanted to be a lawyer. And he would’ve become a really good lawyer. But he was just so stressed.
“I just don’t want another child to go through what Daniel did. And I wouldn’t want another family to go through what I’ve been through. Because it doesn’t get any easier. You just survive the days.
“This campaign means more to me than anything because if it helps just a few children, then that’s a good thing. And I know through the messages I’ve got, I’ve helped children, I know I have. Which makes me feel like Daniel didn’t die in vain.”
The Government has pledged £1.7 billion for children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The LGA wants five per cent of that funding - £90 million – to be used to make it mandatory for every pupil in secondary and alternative education provision to have access to on-site school counselling services.
It comes as local government leaders warn that the average waiting time for young people to access mental health services range from 14 to 200 days – and up to three quarters are not able to access any treatment.
The LGA says that government funding of counselling services in every school would help ensure children can access the support as early as they need without having to go on a waiting list.
Cllr Richard Watts, Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said:
“No child or young adult should have to wait 18 months for vital support and guidance. Many young people might not have needed formal social care support if they had received the early help they needed.
“Providing just a small proportion of the funding it is spending on mental health support nationally to ensure every school provides on-site counselling, is one way the Government can ensure every child and young person enjoys the bright future they deserve.”
You can sign our Problem Shared petition here.