Place2Be begins to roll out in-school mental health support service across Devon  

10 schools across Devon will have access to Place2Be’s model of “whole school” support, providing mental health services for children, parents, teachers and school staff.  

The UK’s leading children’s mental health charity, Place2Be, have launched their mental health support service across schools in North Devon for the very first time. 

With over 28 years’ experience, Place2Be provides mental health support in schools through one-to-one and group counselling. By providing early intervention, Place2Be helps children and young people cope with issues such as bullying, bereavement, domestic violence, addiction, family breakdown, neglect and trauma. 

Last year, the organisation received a generous ongoing funding offer from The Juliet Garmoyle fund, which was set up by Hugh Garmoyle in memory of his wife, Juliet Garmoyle. The fund has enabled Place2Be to expand their services to schools across North Devon and reach more children, young people, parents/carers and school staff. 

Whilst Devon is amongst the counties with the lowest social mobility in England, Place2Be has been working in partnership with Devon Integrated Care Board to provide services which seek to improve this and help address the record levels of referrals for specialist support. 

Providing mental health support for children and young people in Devon continues to be a significant challenge, with waiting times through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) continuing to be stretched as long as 20 months. 

Place2Be services have now started in five schools in North Devon; East The Water Primary School, Ilfracombe Junior School, Southmead Primary School, St. John's Catholic Primary School, and Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School. A further five schools are set to on board later this year.  

Pupils, parents and carers, and staff members from these schools are able to access an onsite Place2Be school counsellor who leads on the delivery of the service. Pupils with the most urgent needs can be referred for one-to-one counselling sessions, while all pupils will be able to access “Place2Talk” drop-in sessions, on their own or with friends. 

NHS Digital data shows in 1 in 6 children and young people have a probable mental health condition and many continue to have these problems into adulthood. After Place2Be counselling, 76% of children and young people with severe difficulties show improvements in their mental health, while 74% had fewer reported exclusions. 

Place2Be brings with it several professional development opportunities for local people in Devon working in mental health, with the organisation looking to recruit further schools to the service. 

Jacqui Vaughan, Regional Director for London and West at Place2Be said: “We are thrilled to be able to provide essential mental health services to school communities, children and young people across North Devon. At Place2Be we understand the importance of early intervention and support in promoting positive mental health outcomes. That is why we are committed to working alongside other mental health service providers in the region to ensure that young people have access to the best possible care and support. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.”