Secondary Schools: Counselling Services

Debate between Lord Nash and Lord Carlile of Berriew

Monday 20th February 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

We are working with the Department of Health to commission a review of CAMHS in order to identify areas for improvement, and every clinical commissioning group has been asked to submit a plan to NHS England on how it is going to improve CAMHS provision. As the noble Lord will know, we are also expanding our joint training pilot for single points of contact in schools and in CAMHS from the original 225 schools to a further 1,200.

[Lord Carlile of Berriew (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, does the noble Lord agree that the earliest possible intervention in adolescent mental health issues is often the most effective? If that is so, will Her Majesty’s Government make it clear to schools that they have a duty of care to provide counselling services in all schools?

[Lord Nash]

We expect all schools to provide counselling services. Our counselling advice sets that out pretty clearly.