Ìý

A team of specialists from Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¾«×¼×ÊÁÏÌýmet representatives from the Scottish government to adviseÌýon howÌýits commitment toÌýput counsellors in all secondary schoolsÌýshould beÌýimplemented.ÌýÌý

In September,Ìýthe Scottish Government announced it will invest £80 million over the next four years in providing counsellors in education, including £60 million to fund counsellors in all secondary schools.

At a meeting this week, government officialsÌýran through all the elements of the investment principals with our representatives.

WeÌýadvised on a range of issues, including: how to identify counsellors to work with; what qualifications are needed by counsellors working in schools; what training could be provided to help fill gaps in provision; howÌýto ensure attractiveÌýpay andÌýconditionsÌýfor staff andÌýhow the programme should be evaluated.

We areÌýcommitted to supporting and advisingÌýScottish Government throughout the criticalÌýimplementation process.

Steve Mulligan, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¾«×¼×ÊÁÏ's Four Nations Lead said:

“We were delighted to celebrate the investment in school counselling last yearÌý following a decade of campaigning by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¾«×¼×ÊÁÏ in Scotland.Ìý

"ThisÌýwas just the first step on a journey to ensureÌýfair accessÌýto counsellingÌýfor all young people across the nation.

"WeÌýare delighted to have been asked by Scottish GovernmentÌýto advise themÌýon an ongoingÌýbasisÌýto ensure that this investment providesÌýmaximum benefit toÌý Scotland'sÌývulnerableÌý young people and ensuringÌýthey can get appropriateÌýmental healthÌýsupport much earlier".Ìý

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¾«×¼×ÊÁÏ's Steve Mulligan,  Jo Holmes, Fiona Ballantine Dykes and Caroline Jesper.

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¾«×¼×ÊÁÏ's Steve Mulligan, Jo Holmes, Fiona Ballantine Dykes and Caroline Jesper.