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<p>Schools and colleges have the freedom to decide what support to offer pupils based
on their particular needs, drawing on evidence available on effective practice. This
support can come from a number of sources, including counselling. The department has
published guidance on how to put in place effective school-based counselling, which
schools can use to identify where further counselling support is appropriate for their
pupils. The guidance is available here:<br> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/counselling-in-schools"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/counselling-in-schools</a>.</p><p>The
department does not ask schools to provide details of support and we do not make estimates
of the level of support. Our survey of mental health provision in schools and colleges
in 2016 and 2017 found that 61% of schools and colleges (56% of primary schools, 84%
of secondary schools and 93% of colleges) reported offering access to a counselling
service for their pupils.</p><p>The government is investing £8 million in the new
Wellbeing for Education Return Programme which is funding expert advisers, who will
be able to train and support schools and colleges in every area of England, and can
make links to available local authority provision, including counselling.</p><p>To
increase support in the long-term, we remain committed to our joint green paper delivery
programme with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England. This includes
introducing new mental health support teams linked to schools and colleges, providing
training for senior mental health leads in schools and colleges, and testing approaches
to faster access to NHS specialist support.</p>
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