Written Question · S5W-22965 · Session 5
Further to the commitments made in the Programme for Government 2018-19, what progress has been made in relation to the rollout of school-b…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitments made in the Programme for Government 2018-19, what progress has been made in relation to the rollout of school-based counselling; how many counsellors have been assessed as having the relevant counselling qualifications and experience to work with children and young people in schools; how many counsellors have been recruited to deliver counselling in schools to date; whether it still expects the 350 counsellors to be operational in schools by September 2020, and how much money was provided to each local authority as part of the General Revenue Grant to provide for counselling in schools in the financial year 2019-20.
The answer
The investment in school counsellors is part of a package of measures to ensure that children and young people get the support that they require.
As well as local authority partners, we are working with the professional registration bodies, training and qualification providers and other key third sector organisations to assist in the delivery of this key Programme for Government commitment.
We will provide £12m in 2019-20 rising to £16m per annum thereafter to develop access to counselling services in schools. The Scottish Government is in the process of agreeing the distribution of this additional funding with COSLA.
Local authorities will be responsible for the recruitment of counsellors and on how best to deliver the service in their local area; as such we cannot provide any figures on how many counsellors will be in schools in 2019-20. We are continuing discussions with local authority partners on an agreed approach to report progress in delivering the commitment.
It is intended that the Programme for Government commitment will be delivered in full by September 2020.
As well as local authority partners, we are working with the professional registration bodies, training and qualification providers and other key third sector organisations to assist in the delivery of this key Programme for Government commitment.
We will provide £12m in 2019-20 rising to £16m per annum thereafter to develop access to counselling services in schools. The Scottish Government is in the process of agreeing the distribution of this additional funding with COSLA.
Local authorities will be responsible for the recruitment of counsellors and on how best to deliver the service in their local area; as such we cannot provide any figures on how many counsellors will be in schools in 2019-20. We are continuing discussions with local authority partners on an agreed approach to report progress in delivering the commitment.
It is intended that the Programme for Government commitment will be delivered in full by September 2020.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-22965 by reference.