Introducing Connect-Ed: School counselling and creative art therapy

Connecting children to mental health services in schools

Mental health issues are a growing concern. The latest NHS digital survey  of children and young people’s mental health in England and The Big Mental Health Report, 2024 found that:

  • 1 in 5

    8-25 year olds have a probable mental disorder

  • only 1/3

    of children and young people who need help, got treatment in 2023

  • 2 years+

    is how long some 40,000 children/young people are waiting for counselling and support

For over 35 years, Connect-Ed has been partnering with schools across London to combat the growing mental health crisis. Through school counselling and creative art therapy and ongoing support we’re able to transform how these issues are addressed.

Working in partnerships with schools we provide:

Fully qualified counsellors/therapists to work on site with children and young people. This includes 1:1, group and drop-in sessions.

All our service deliveries are child led.

Termly reports including both quantitative and qualitative data, progress reports using outcome measures and impact headlines that can be shared externally and used during Ofsted inspections.

Support to access external services e.g. social care, CAMHS.

Whole school approach with bespoke training and consultation for school staff, parents/carers and children, which include practical strategies to use in the classroom and at home, in line with the DFE guidance.

Over 90% of children have shown a marked improvement in emotional wellbeing with Connect-Ed.

“Through Connect-Ed’s dedicated efforts, we have witnessed remarkable improvements in student behaviour, academic engagement, and overall well-being of children.”

Lucy Black, Head of School at St Mary’s RC Primary School

 

Support resources

Explore our resource hub for free materials including everything for primary, secondary and beyond.

  • 24%

    of primary school children
    need help with their mental health

  • 29%

    of secondary school children
    need help with their mental health

  • 1986

    our mental health programme
    Connect-Ed was established

  • Over 

    35 years’

    experience

  • Partnership with 

    over 70

    primary, secondary and special schools

  • Working across all 

    32

    London boroughs

  • Supporting
    children and young people

    4-18 year old

  • Over

    90%

    of children/young people working with Connect-Ed show marked improvement

Connect-Ed services are delivered by the Catholic Children’s Society (CCS). As a registered charity (No.210920) our sole aim is to support those in greatest need, and we work with children and families from diverse backgrounds and of all faiths and none. Our overriding aim is to help disadvantaged children overcome the challenges they face so they can achieve their full potential and have better chances in life.