Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential benefits of introducing provision for an embedded (a) mentor and (b) counsellor in every school in England through (i) internal staff and (ii) external providers.

The department is currently working to provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school by expanding Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs).

As at March 2025, 52% of pupils and learners were supported by MHSTs (70% of pupils in secondary schools). By April 2026, we estimate that 60% of pupils in schools and learners in further education in England will be covered by an MHST. Latest data on MHST coverage as of March 2026 will be published in due course.

Schools need the freedom to decide which mix of support best meets their pupils’ needs, making best use of their funding. This is why many schools already provide mentoring and counselling, which can play an important role in supporting mental wellbeing. The department has published guidance providing practical, evidence-based advice on offering high-quality school counselling, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/counselling-in-schools.