Our proposed budget outlining the council's spending priorities for 2025/26 includes continued funding for our school-based counselling project.
The school counselling pilot launched in September 2024 for Year 9 students in all secondary schools in Brighton & Hove.
The project aims to provide additional support alongside the Schools Mental Health Service for children and young people who have experienced challenges accessing education as a result of their mental health.
In the first term of the pilot (September to December 2024), 68 young people accessed counselling support. Since December, all available counselling spaces have been filled and most counsellors now hold manageable waitlists.
A half day grief workshop has been offered to one school where there were spaces waiting to be taken up.
A therapeutic drama workshop focusing on themes such as relationships, anxiety, self-esteem, self-care and identity has been offered to another school. The first workshop will focus on friendships and relationships and is expected to start later this month.
Counsellors are working with school staff and other agencies to ensure appropriate and ongoing support is in place for young people, including onward referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Children’s Services and other agencies.
Councillor Emma Daniel, Cabinet member for Children, Families and Youth Services, said: “I’m delighted that our proposals for 2025/26 include continued funding for the school counselling project.
“Mental health is a priority for young people in Brighton & Hove, so it’s a priority for us.
“In just one term, 68 pupils across the city’s secondary schools were supported through this pilot. Continuing the project for the next academic year will allow us to support many more young people in Brighton & Hove.
“Poor mental health can affect attendance and attainment in school, putting some students at a disadvantage, so we hope the continued funding of this vital project will give pupils the tools they need to lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.”
Cabinet will be finalising budget proposals on Thursday 13 February, and a vote will be taken by all councillors at Budget Council on Thursday 27 February.
The pilot was created following a campaign from the Brighton & Hove Citizens UK group to improve mental health support in schools.
A 2022 Public Health report on mental health and wellbeing in Brighton & Hove highlighted that young people in the city with social, emotional and mental health needs are higher than the England average.
A counsellor involved in the pilot said: “Although this a new service, there are already established relationships in the schools that we have been able to build upon and provide a more joined up experience for the young people referred.
“We are also able to draw on the experience of colleagues and shared resources that came as being part of a well-rounded multi-disciplinary team.”
