When it comes to children’s mental health, early support can make all the difference. Place2Be stands as one of the UK’s most trusted children’s mental health charities, dedicated to helping young people navigate their emotional challenges before they develop into lifelong struggles. With over three decades of experience, this organization has become a beacon of hope for pupils, families, and educators across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Understanding the Mission Behind Place2Be
The philosophy driving this charity is straightforward yet powerful: intervene early before mental health problems become deeply rooted. Rather than waiting for difficulties to escalate, Place2Be works proactively within school environments to create safe spaces where children can express themselves and receive the help they need.
The statistics paint a sobering picture. One in five children and young people experience mental health difficulties at some point during their formative years. Even more concerning, research shows that half of all mental health problems are established by the time a child reaches 14 years old. This reality underscores why early intervention isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
Making a Real Difference: The Impact
The results speak volumes about the effectiveness of this approach. After receiving counselling through Place2Be services, 76% of pupils who initially presented with severe difficulties showed meaningful improvement. These aren’t just numbers on a page; they represent real children who’ve learned to manage anxiety, process grief, overcome trauma, and build resilience.
From an economic perspective, the charity delivers remarkable value to society. For every £1 invested in primary school counselling programs, Place2Be returns £8 to society. This return on investment reflects reduced strain on healthcare services, improved educational outcomes, and better long-term prospects for young people who receive timely support.
Mental Health Services Designed for Students
Universal Access for Every Child
Place2Be believes that mental health support shouldn’t be reserved only for those in crisis. Their universal services ensure every pupil can access help when they need it.
Place2Talk operates as a drop-in service where any student can book appointments ranging from 15 to 30 minutes with trained counselors. This low-barrier approach removes the stigma often associated with seeking help, allowing children to address concerns before they grow into bigger problems.
Whole-class work brings mental health education into everyday learning. Through structured resources and activities, pupils develop understanding about emotions, stress management, and how to support their peers.
For children who prefer digital support, online platforms like Kooth provide a wellbeing community where young people can connect, while Shout offers 24/7 text-based crisis support for those urgent moments when someone needs to talk.
Targeted Support for Complex Needs
Some children face more significant challenges that require deeper intervention. One-to-one counselling provides up to 10 sessions, each lasting 50 minutes, where trained therapists use talking, creative work, and play therapy techniques tailored to each child’s needs.
These sessions support children navigating difficult experiences, including bullying, bereavement, domestic violence, family breakdown, neglect, and trauma. The therapeutic relationship built during these sessions often becomes a turning point in a young person’s life.
Group programs like Journey of Hope take a different approach, bringing children together for activities that incorporate parachute games, storytelling, and creative exercises. These sessions build resilience and self-confidence while helping participants realize they’re not alone in their struggles.
Supporting the Adults Who Support Children
Resources for Parents and Carers
Raising children brings joy, but it also comes with challenges that can feel overwhelming. Place2Be extends its reach beyond the school gates to support parents and carers who want to better understand and address their children’s behavioral concerns.
Parent counselling sessions provide a confidential space to discuss worries and develop strategies. Online parenting courses offer flexible learning opportunities, while parenting advice services deliver practical guidance on common childhood mental health issues. Parent-child training sessions strengthen family relationships through improved communication and understanding.
Empowering School Staff
Teachers and school staff occupy the front lines of children’s mental health help. They’re often the first to notice when a student is struggling, yet many feel uncertain about how to respond effectively.
Staff support sessions provide educators with their own space to process the emotional demands of their roles. Mental health training programs equip them with practical skills and knowledge, while guidance and safeguarding support ensure they can identify and respond appropriately to concerning situations.
The Mental Health Champions Foundation Programme offers online training specifically designed for staff working with children. Senior leaders can access specialist training that helps them embed mental health awareness throughout their institutions.
Regular consultations with mental health professionals give teachers somewhere to turn when they’re unsure how to help a particular student, ensuring no child falls through the cracks.
Professional Development and Place2Be Training
For those interested in becoming school-based counselors, Place2Be training provides a clear pathway to qualification and meaningful career opportunities.
Building Professional Skills
The training journey begins with foundational qualifications—a Level 2 Award and A Level 3 Certificate serve as prerequisites. From there, aspiring counselors can pursue the Level 4 Diploma in School-Based Child Counselling or advance to the Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Children in Schools (Level 7). For those ready for an intensive experience, a one-year qualifying course option accelerates the process.
Hands-On Experience Through Placements
Theory alone doesn’t create effective counselors. Structured placements in partner schools across England, Scotland, and Wales provide the practical experience needed to develop genuine therapeutic skills.
Trainees commit one full school day per week for a minimum of one academic year, working directly with children under the guidance of experienced School Project Managers who provide one-to-one supervision. These placements accumulate the clinical hours necessary for professional accreditation while offering invaluable real-world learning.
Access to free clinical workshops on specialized topics like attachment theory and therapeutic endings deepens understanding of complex issues. Many who complete their training find that Place2Be jobs and career progression opportunities allow them to continue making a difference as fully qualified professionals.
Children’s Mental Health Week: Raising Awareness
Each year, the charity organizes Children’s Mental Health Week, an annual awareness initiative that brings mental health conversations into schools and homes across the nation. The 2026 theme, “This is My Place,” will empower young people to express themselves and claim their space in the world.
Schools receive comprehensive resources and toolkits to facilitate workshops, discussions, and creative projects. These activities give voice to children and young people throughout the UK, helping them understand that their feelings matter and that support is available when they need it.
The mental health awareness day 2025 activities continue building on previous years’ success, creating a lasting impact through sustained engagement rather than one-off events.
Creating Change Through Whole-School Approaches
Rather than treating mental health as an add-on service, Place2Be embeds itself within school communities. On-site mental health professionals integrate with pastoral and safeguarding teams, creating a seamless support network.
This whole-school approach cultivates a culture of openness and emotional resilience that benefits everyone—students, staff, and families alike. When teachers feel confident addressing mental health issues and children see emotional well-being treated as normal and important, stigma dissolves, and help-seeking becomes natural.
Partnership Models and Collaboration
Schools interested in bringing these services to their communities can apply to become partner schools. The charity works collaboratively with school leadership to tailor services to each institution’s unique needs, recognizing that what works in one setting might need adaptation in another.
Services vary by region, reflecting local circumstances and resources. This flexibility, combined with a long-term embedded support model, allows for sustained impact rather than temporary fixes.
Strategic Educational Partnerships
Beyond individual schools, Place2Be builds strategic partnerships with universities and teacher training programs. For example, collaboration with institutions like the University of Glasgow School of Education places embedded clinicians within teacher training programs.
Place2Think offers therapeutic and educational sessions for student teachers, preparing the next generation of educators to recognize and respond to mental health needs from day one of their careers. This investment in teacher preparation creates ripple effects that will benefit children for decades to come.
Evidence-Based Practice and Continuous Improvement
The charity’s approach combines compassion with rigorous evaluation. An integrative therapeutic approach backed by research ensures interventions rest on solid evidence rather than good intentions alone.
Screening tools like the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) help identify children who might benefit from support. Regular data collection and impact analysis track outcomes, while solution-focused and strategy-building methods ensure practical, actionable support.
This commitment to continuous program refinement based on evidence means the organization constantly evolves, incorporating new insights from research and practice to improve effectiveness.
The Organization Behind the Mission
Headquartered at 175 St John Street in London, England, Place2Be operates as a registered charity supported by approximately 639 employees dedicated to transforming children’s mental health.
Major supporters like Pears Foundation provide crucial funding, while active fundraising through events—including carol concerts, marathons, walks, and cycles—engages the broader community in this vital work. A strong social media presence across multiple platforms helps spread awareness and connect with families seeking children’s mental health help.
For those looking to contribute their skills and passion, Place2Be vacancies offer opportunities to join this mission. From counselling roles to administrative positions, the organization welcomes diverse talents united by a common commitment to young people’s wellbeing.
A Recognizable Symbol of Hope
The Place2Be logo has become a familiar sight in schools across Britain, representing trust, professionalism, and genuine care. When children see this symbol, they know help is available. When parents see it, they feel reassured. When teachers see it, they know they’re not alone in supporting their students.
This recognition extends beyond visual identity to represent a movement—one that acknowledges mental health as fundamental to childhood development and learning.
Looking Forward
As society becomes increasingly aware of mental health’s importance, organizations like Place2Be play an essential role in translating awareness into action. The charity doesn’t just talk about children’s mental health charities’ importance—it demonstrates through daily practice what effective, compassionate support looks like.
Whether a school is considering a partnership, a professional is exploring Place2B training opportunities, or a parent is searching for children’s mental health help, this organization offers proven pathways to positive change. The early intervention model, backed by decades of experience and strong evidence, continues transforming lives one child, one school, one community at a time.
For young people struggling today, Place2Be represents something invaluable: the promise that they don’t have to face their challenges alone, and that with the right support at the right time, they can build the resilience and emotional skills needed to thrive.
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