Pupils miss out as teachers act as counsellors says union

A survey by the union found that three-quarters of schools provide some sort of counselling for pupils who need extra support. But demand for services is so high that school staff are having to step in and provide support where counsellors are unavailable.

Almost three-quarters of support staff, teachers and school leaders said they had to assist pupils with emotional and mental health problems at least once a week. Of these, more than a quarter supported such pupils on a daily basis.

The survey also found that schools face considerable bureacracy when trying to refer pupils on to external agencies, like child and adolescent mental health services. Half the respondents said services are still not joined up enough to provide sufficient support to pupils.

Testing was identified as the greatest cause of pupil stress. Family problems, the pressure to look good and a lack of parental support were among the other issues said to worry pupils.

School staff believe these stresses are leading to an increase in self-harming, eating disorders, smoking and alcohol abuse.

Mary Bousted, general secretary of ATL said school staff cannot shoulder the full responsibility for supporting pupils with mental health problems.

She said: "There is a greater need for trained counsellors to handle the depth and severity of pupils' emotional, mental health and behavioural problems in schools today. Pupils cannot be held in a queue when their wellbeing is at risk."