A survey of UK head teachers has found that nearly half are struggling to get mental health support for their pupils. A total of 45% of 655 of school leaders quizzed by children's mental health charity Place2Be said it was a problem.

The survey — carried out to mark Children's Mental Health Week — found 44% of head teachers said knowing what type of support was needed was a barrier to them providing mental health support for pupils.

And 37% said they did not feel confident in commissioning a counsellor or therapist.

The charity also surveyed 1,198 counsellors and psychotherapists currently working in schools and found 34% said providing services in schools was difficult.

In December, the Department of Health and Department for Education published a joint plan to improve children and young people's access to mental health support at schools and colleges in England.

The pledge came as NHS figures showed around one in 10 girls aged 16 or 17 was referred to specialist mental health services in England in 2016.

Read the full article about UK schools' struggle for mental health help at BBC.