Child mental health support - Scotland



Child mental health support - Scotland
Place2Be has offered child mental health support in Scotland since 2001 and currently reaches over 48,105 pupils and their families in 58 schools.
We offer a menu of different services to meet schools’ needs, including in-school mental health support, expert training and resources.
We build children's and young people's resilience through talking, creative work and play. We also support parents and school staff and help schools to be mentally healthy.
Many of our communities across Edinburgh, Glasgow, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Perth and Kinross, Angus, Highland, Stirling and Dundee City face poverty and complex needs.
Search for Place2Be schools near you
For every £1 invested, our counselling service in UK primary schools has the potential to return £6.20 to society, according to a report by Pro Bono Economics - read the full report.
Funding for our in-school service comes from various sources including the Scottish Attainment Challenge, Pupil Equity Fund, NHS Health Boards and Local Authority grants.
Read our Scotland Impact Report (494kb)
Counselling Placements
Our Counselling Placements in schools are an opportunity to work with children and young people in a safe therapeutic setting.
Read more about our Counselling Placements and apply
Training and consultations for schools
Place2Be is recognised as a GTCS Learning Award organisation. We support the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and all of our staff in Scotland have undertaken the Scottish Government’s UNCRC training. We also offer a variety of training and consultation services for schools, including:
- Senior Mental Health Leads programme – a comprehensive programme supporting Mental Health Leads to develop a mental health strategy based on a whole school approach.
- Mental Health Champions - Foundation programme – online children's mental health training course, free for all teachers and school-based staff
- Place2Think – reflective supervision sessions for education professionals supporting positive mental health in school communities
- Workshops – about specialist subjects
- Mental health masterclasses – as part of the Excellence in Headship programme.
- Initial Teacher Education – in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, this helps teachers to strengthen their skills, understanding and knowledge of children's mental health.
Supporting the transition from primary to secondary school
This year, many children finishing primary school will have missed out on some important milestones like the end of year productions or leavers’ parties. Our specialist Art Room team has created a project for children finishing P7 to make at home with parents, carers and other family members. It'll give young people a chance to think about their time at primary school and the changes ahead as they start secondary school.
Download Art Room transition project
Children and young people’s voices
All our work is centred on the child, and their right to access support when and where they need it. We believe children and young people have the right to good mental health and wellbeing. We welcome the incorporation of UNCRC into Scot’s Law.
Stay up to date
Follow @place2bescot on Twitter for the latest updates.
Get in touch
We are looking to develop our work in Scotland and expand into new areas. To find out more, please get in touch with our Scotland Team by email at scotland@place2be.org.uk.
News & blogs

We’ve got to join the dots between home and school
Sahir Permall, Director for Scotland, on the importance of communities coming together to keep the child at the centre.
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My journey with Place2Be - Rebecca's Story
Through Art Therapy, Rebecca realised the difference she could make in children's lives across Scotland.
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‘Thank God I Had Therapy Yesterday’ – Deb’bora’s story
Deb'bora Imani is an instrumental figure in Place2Be's history. In this guest blog, she shares her story.
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