School-based Counselling Services

School-based counsellors provide specialist support in schools for pupils experiencing emotional difficulties or where there is a noticeable change or deterioration in behaviour and attitiude.   

The following list might prompt the invovlement of a counsellor in school:

• when parents are going through divorce or separation;

• where there are known family relationship problems. This might includedomestic abuse;

• when there are difficulties in attending school;

• when there are difficulties with friendships.

• when there is evidence of stress or a change in behaviour -  such as becoming withdrawn, disruptive or mood swings;

• following the bereavement of a familymember or friend;

• difficulties in relation to academic/vocational  issues (e.g. a lack of motivation, exam anxiety, fear of failure, concerns for the future);

• where there is evidence of potentially self-damaging behaviour  (e.g. drug and alcohol misuse, eating problems or self-harm);

• when there are difficulties in relation  to personal identity (e.g. race, gender, sexual preference)

In all cases it is essential that counselling is understood to be voluntary (i.e. a young  person cannot  be 'sent' for counselling).