Publication - FOI/EIR release

Correspondence relating to counsellors within schools: FOI Release

Published: 11 May 2021
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector
FOI reference: FOI/202100170681
Date received: 5 March 2021
Date responded: 8 April 2021

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Information requested

1. A copy of all the returns received from local authorities, all correspondence surrounding this between the Scottish Government and local authorities, and all internal correspondence and analysis relating to these returns.

2. Confirmation of whether the national commitment to 350 counsellors for schools by September 2020 was met, and a copy of any reports or internal briefings the Scottish Government holds on progress towards this target since 26 November 2019.

Response

Please find attached a number of files containing the information you requested. The contents of each file can be found in the ‘Table of Documents’ file.

The approximate figure of 350 counsellors in the commitment related to the number of secondary schools in Scotland. The Scottish Government is confident it has met the commitment in full and that all secondary schools in Scotland now have access to counselling services.

In relation to the second part of your question, in addition to file 4, you can also find information on progress towards meeting the commitment at: Counsellors in school education - ParliamentaryBusiness : Scottish Parliament. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you.

About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.