Risedale School has welcomed the government’s renewed focus on pupil wellbeing as proposed changes to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill bring school-based mental health support into sharper national focus.
The Bill, supported by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), aims to ensure that mental health support in schools is delivered by practitioners on a professional Accredited Register. Risedale says the move reflects an approach it has already embedded, having employed a fully qualified, registered counsellor since February 2021.
The school remains the only one in the local area to provide permanent, on-site clinical mental health support delivered by a registered professional.
Headteacher Mrs Greenwood said the national recognition of professional standards was encouraging.
“We are pleased to see pupil mental health being prioritised at a national level,” she said. “At Risedale, high-quality, professional support has been a cornerstone of our environment for several years, and it is reassuring to see this model being recognised as important for all young people.”
Risedale’s approach to mental health support has previously been recognised with a Silver School Mental Health Award from the Carnegie Centre. The award reflects the school’s tiered system of care, designed to provide early help and targeted support before pupils require one-to-one counselling.
Through an in-house referral system, pupils can access a range of specialist provision, including The Hub, which focuses on social skills, friendships and resilience; Creative Arts Therapy and Thrive, which support emotional development and mental wellbeing; and The Risedale Centre, which offers tailored support for pupils with SEND or more complex emotional and mental health needs.
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill also aims to support the so-called “missing middle” — pupils who require more than general pastoral care but do not meet the threshold for external clinical services.
School counsellor and senior mental health lead Lisa Smith said the proposed legislation reinforced the work already taking place at Risedale.
“Being a registered counsellor within the school allows me to provide a safe and professional space for pupils, but the real strength lies in being part of a wider team,” she said. “Our system ensures pupils receive early help, with clear pathways into more intensive support if needed, including transitions to external services such as CAMHS.”
Mrs Greenwood added: “Our aim is for every pupil to be their ‘BEST’ self. By looking at the whole picture, we help ensure our young people are resilient, happy and ready for the future.”
