School Counselling

The charity YoungMinds has launched the Wise Up campaign which “calls on the Government to rebalance the education system to ensure that the wellbeing of students is as important as academic achievement”

In a letter to Ofsted’s chief inspector Amanda Spielman, YoungMinds state “there is a mental health crisis in our classrooms, with mounting evidence suggesting mental health problems in children and young people are on the rise.”

Their research shows that 3 children in every class are estimated to have a mental health condition. As we know school years are crucial in developing life-long good mental health and positive life outcomes.

Therefore it is imperative that schools should play a leading part in providing professional support for young people’s mental health and wellbeing. This is the basis for the Wise Up campaign appealing to Amanda Spielman to call for explicit commitment that the well being of children will be a priority when Ofsted’s inspections are reviewed in January 2019. For many years this has been a passion of mine and I have committed my vocation to this.

I have worked in education for over 18 years in a pastoral capacity. Firstly as a Learning Mentor and in more recent years, as a Progress Leader. As a counsellor and in my previous roles, I have gained extensive experience of working with young people from age 11-19 years, both male and female, from varied socioeconomic backgrounds and with diverse educational needs such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Some examples of the issues which have affected young people I have worked with are:

  • Abuse (both sexual, physical and emotional)
  • Bereavement
  • Bullying
  • Friendship Issues
  • Drug and Alcohol Use
  • Terminal Illness
  • Sexuality
  • Eating Disorders
  • Divorce
  • Domestic Violence
  • Transition from a Foreign Country
  • Child Sexual Exploitation
  • Parents in Prison
  • Parents Mental Health
  • Criminality
  • Family or Friend’s Suicide
  • Looked After Young People
  • Exam Stress
  • Personal Health Problems
  • Teenage Pregnancy

Both the external conditions mentioned above, and Special Educational Needs of young people can seriously effect a young person at school and at home. This may be displayed as anger, poor behaviour at school, disengagement, depression, school refusal, self-harm, bullying, truancy etc. Thus effecting the young person’s attendance, and ultimately, their academic progress at school.

I have an understanding of school life. My experience includes Leading on EHATs (Liverpool and Knowsley), referrals to CAMHS Single Point Access, arranging support for young people with Young Addaction, Barnados Young Carers, NSPCC (issues around social media/e-safety).

In both my work at the Women and Children’s Charity and at school I have worked with parents also. I have training in Safeguarding, Home Office Prevent Training, Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Training and County Lines Drug Trafficking Training.

School I.T Systems Experience

I have experience using the following school I.T systems: SIMS, Class Charts and CPOMS

If you would like me to work at your school in supporting young people please contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.