We're celebrating campaigning success after the announcement that there will soon be an additional 430 counsellors in education across Scotland – and crucially £60m for counsellors in all secondary schools.
The Scottish Government says, in their Programme of Government released today (4 September 2018), that it will take a range of actions ‘to make sure that children and young people have the support they need at the earliest possible stage’.
It plans to invest around £80m over the next four years.
We’ve campaigned strongly for many years, alongside our members and partner organisations, for all children and young people in Scotland to have access to trained counsellors in schools.
Policy and Engagement Lead for Four Nations, Steve Mulligan, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that the Scottish Government has made this decision.
“Let’s hope this encourages other decision makers to acknowledge the vital importance of counselling in education. We are meeting the Minister in a couple of weeks to discuss delivery of these important commitments.
“A big thanks to all of our members in Scotland who have helped this happen.”
Read more on our Four nations page