We鈥檝e joined more than 100 children鈥檚 sector organisations in calling on the government to put children at the heart of the nation鈥檚 recovery from the pandemic.

Our Chair Natalie Bailey has signed a letter urging the government to 鈥減roduce a new vision of childhood to support children, young people and their families to recover from the impact of COVID-19鈥�.

The letter called for renewed investment in the services and workforce they rely on, such as counselling and psychotherapy.

Other signatories to the letter, which is published in and is reproduced opposite, include the National Children鈥檚 Bureau, the NSPCC and the Children鈥檚 Society.

Investment in services

The letter said: 鈥淭heir voices must be at the heart of plans to rebuild, backed by renewed investment in the services and workforce that they rely on.

鈥淭his will require action across Whitehall and in town halls to improve the quality of education, health, early years, youth and social care services. It must be accompanied by a commitment to protect children facing additional challenges, like those with disabilities, those from minority communities, and those growing up in poverty.

鈥淥ur children and young people deserve better.

鈥淥nly by putting children at the heart of policymaking can we build a better future for our country after the pandemic.鈥�

School counselling campaign

We鈥檝e been campaigning for a paid counsellor to be available in every secondary school, academy and further education college in England.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have government funded school counselling services. England does not.

As children face increased change and uncertainty in their lives because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it鈥檚 more important than ever before that they have access to this vital support.

Jo Holmes, our Children, Young People and Families Lead, said: 鈥淭he consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, school closures and lockdown restrictions has meant young people in England are coping with social isolation, loneliness, trauma, bereavement, uncertainty and family problems.

Early access

鈥淚t鈥檚 a long and troubling list and is being faced by students at a pivotal time in their lives.聽

鈥淲e believe early intervention and access to timely psychological therapies are key, which is why we鈥檙e is lobbying for a paid counsellor in every secondary school and college.

鈥淪chool counsellors are perfectly positioned to help young people emerge from the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic and flourish both academically and socially.

鈥淭here is no more crucial time to do this than now and the future wellbeing of our nation depends on it.鈥�

Find out more about our school counselling campaign.鈥�