School Counselling

Since 2003 Hampshire LEA has supported the employment of a number of professional counsellors who are based in a few Hampshire schools (both primary and secondary) to provide counselling for pupils.

Counselling:

• offers a regular space and time to talk or think about worries or difficulties
• helps young people explore their feelings and look at how they might want things to be different, by talking and using a range of activities
• may be about developmental issues, resolving problems, improving relationships, making choices, coping with changes, gaining insight and understanding, growing as a person
• is carried out by trained, fully qualified counsellors, who are checked by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), and work within a code of ethics and practice.

Below are some examples of when school counselling might be useful:

• when parents are going through divorce or separation, and the child is showing changes in behaviour or indications of distress.
• if there are known family relationship problems.
• when there is evidence of stress or a change in behaviour such as becoming withdrawn or disruptive.
• if there is a death of someone in the family, or a friend - even when the child seems to be coping.
• when there is knowledge or suspicion of some form of abuse or domestic violence.
• when there are difficulties with friendships, bullying or teasing.
• when a child, new to the school, is having difficulty settling or integrating.
• when a young person is angry, erratic or shows mood swings or depression.
• if there are drug, alcohol or eating problems or evidence of self-harm.
• when there is a sexual identity issue, racial discrimination or pressure to conform to cultural expectations.
• if there are health or disability issues.
• when you or colleagues regularly feel angry or exasperated with a student.