§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if school-based counselling services for children will be established as part of the Children's Fund. [152948]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Children's Fund will enable local partnerships to implement strategies for preventive services to ensure that children and young people at risk of social exclusion get the best start in life.
Children's Fund proposals will be built from the bottom up, responding to local needs. Our guidance makes it clear that mentoring and counselling services may be part of these strategies both within and outside the school environment.