I was called before the Backbench Business Committee to present my case for a debate in the chamber of the House of Commons on the provision of schools-based counselling provision. Currently, there is no legal requirement on schools in England to provide counselling services in-school.

There is however, a specific requirement for provision in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Schools-based counselling is a proven intervention for children and young people experiencing psychological distress. Yet, the specific topic of schools-based counselling hasn’t been debated in the House of Commons for a considerable amount of time, certainly not since the onset of the pandemic. I look forward to speaking in the debate.