Many young people have access to confidential advice and counselling services within schools. It is
difficult to estimate the proportion of schools that provide these types of support. Services include:
learning mentors – as part of the Excellence in Cities programme these have been introduced
in over 25 inner-city local education authorities (LEAs) to help young people overcome barriers
to learning;
whole-school pupil support schemes – exist in some schools as part of their anti-bullying
strategies;
independent organisations – provide counselling, mental health support or pastoral care
within schools; and
peer support schemes – both inside and outside schools, can support young people to help
each other deal with the problems that can lead to running away.