Can emotional support help the neediest children flourish?
Last month, Children’s Secretary Ed Balls announced an investment of £218 million in Family Intervention Projects to try and stop the behaviour of young troublemakers spiralling out of control. But will it work? Research suggests 90% of all young offenders have had a diagnosable mental health illness by the age of seven. The charity Place2Be provides counselling in schools for 37,000 children. They hope that by providing emotional support and addressing the problems surrounding exclusion and child mental health even the neediest children can flourish.
Anna McNamee visits one of Place2Be’s schools near Durham and speaks to its Chief Executive and Founding Trustee, Benita Refson, and some of the children who have used the service.
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