Ceredigion County Council
Secondary School Based Counselling Policy for
Ceredigion
September 2011
Cyngor Sir Ceredigion County Council
Swyddfeydd y Cyngor / County Offices
Penmorfa
Aberaeron
SA46 0PA
0
Secondary School Based Counselling Policy for
Ceredigion
Contents
Section
What is counselling?
1
School Counselling Service in Ceredigion
2
How does counselling fit with other pastoral support?
3
Referral procedures
4
Appointment system
5
Confidentiality
6
Safeguarding / Child Protection
7
Parental consent
8
Counselling sessions
9
Accommodation
10
School Counselling Service promotion
11
Ethical framework
12
Record keeping
13
Complaints procedures
14
Additional information
15
References
Appendix
1
1. What is counselling?
“Formal counselling is undertaken by a professional,
appropriately qualified counsellor acting in his or her specialist
role and in accordance with a recognised code of ethic that
required confidentiality, accountability, supervision and
continuing professional development”
(Strategy for School-based Counselling Services in Wales)
"Childhood and adolescence can be very stressful times and,
like adults, young people sometimes need to talk to an
understanding, independent person who will not judge them."
"Counselling is a way of helping people through talking and
listening. The client is encouraged to express their feelings and
thoughts about their problem so they can understand
themselves and their behaviour better and therefore improve
ways of coping."
"Counselling involves a deliberately undertaken contract with
clearly agreed boundaries and commitment to privacy and
confidentiality. It requires explicit and informed consent."
(BACP Code of Ethics and Practice)
1.1 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.
Counsellors do not give advice. They seek to view the problems brought to
them by young people from the young person’s perspectives. By providing
2
time, confidentiality and a safe place they can help young people to talk about
their worries and any problems that are affecting them and to identify ways to
cope.
2. School Counselling Service in Ceredigion
The School Counselling Service is a professional, confidential service
available to young people in Ceredigion secondary schools. The service offers
young people a regular space to talk and think about things that are important
to them. The service operates in line with British Association of Counsellors
and Psychotherapists (BACP) Ethical Framework and emerging Welsh
Assembly Government School-based Counselling Services in Wales Strategy.
The counselling service provides support for children and young people with
social, emotional and behavioural concerns, supporting them in fulfilling their
potential. The service consists of professionally qualified counsellors,
supervisors and trainers with many years of experience of working with
children and young people.
The counselling service is tailored to the individual requirements of children
and young people. It provides:

one to one counselling for young people

staff training upon request

consultancy

links and liaison with other appropriate agencies

group work after liaison with other agencies

a service which should be promoted as support and should have no
stigma attached to it
Counselling in primary Schools
Counselling is provided to the primary schools in deprived areas, namely,
Cardigan primary school and Llwyn yr Eos primary. This service is considered
to be currently a pilot service.
Financing the service
Money is applied for from a Welsh Government Grant by Ceredigion County
Council. Each school can contribute their own money to enhance the service.
The grant money from the Welsh Government is applied for on a yearly basis.
Since September 2012, and following new recommendations from Welsh
Government, the schools should not appoint or employ counsellors. No
counsellor working in your school should hold another role in the school.
Ceredigion County Council commission an internal agency to manage the
service
3
3. How does counselling fit with other pastoral support?
A range of professionals work in schools whose role includes pastoral care of
pupils and schools have responsibility for the education and development of
pupils; this includes welfare matters.
The School Counselling Service is a distinct and professionally regulated
service, it is regarded as an additional source of specialist help generally
available on school premises and in school time. Whilst it is a distinct service
it operates in conjunction with the school and the education department.
Each school has a link teacher designated to be a contact for ensuring that
School Based Counselling Service operates efficiently in school and
according to the needs of the children / young people. This link teacher would
be the person to contact Area 43 (who manage and monitor and keep any
data regarding school based counselling in Ceredigion) or by the Education
department in Ceredigion
4. Referral procedures
Access to one to one counselling sessions in school will be by self-referral by
young people of Secondary School age Referrals can also be made by school
staff, other professionals working with young people and parents/guardians
with the young person’s consent.
The school counsellor can be contacted using one of the following methods:
 Visiting the counsellor (on the days they are in school) at their contact
point in school to arrange an appointment
 Telephoning the School Counselling Service at Area 43 Information
and Support Service to arrange an appointment on:0800 8497979
 Texting the service on: 0800 8497979
 Emailing the School Counselling Service at: dropin@area43.co.uk
All this information should be included in the contact book provided each year
to each pupil. Dates, times and location of available counselling should also
be in the contact book.
Staff or parents/guardians may support young people in accessing the service
however the explicit consent of the young person must be obtained by the
counsellor before counselling sessions can commence.
5. Appointment system
Once an appointment has been arranged the counsellor will liaise with the
designated member of staff in school to inform them that the young person is
4
attending counselling in order to explain their whereabouts in the school.
Where available the internal school emailing system could be used. On
occasions a young person may not want to receive counselling in school, in
which case it may be possible for the counsellor to arrange an alternative
venue and time.
It is important that the appointment system is as discreet as possible, and
staff will be informed on a need-to-know basis. The designated member of
staff and Head of Year will need to know a young person is receiving
counselling. See appendix 1.
6. Confidentiality
Confidentiality is a basic ethical principle in the counselling process. It
enables a trusting relationship to develop. It allows the young person to share
feelings and worries without fear of blame or reprisal. A young person's right
to privacy and confidentiality is legally established in the Human Rights Act
1998 article 8.
The counsellor will not pass on any detailed accounts of sessions, but may
communicate periodically with school pastoral staff about general progress,
with the child's permission. A young person is free to talk to anyone about
their counselling sessions if they wish, but should not be directly questioned
by school staff.
Sometimes, it may be necessary to liaise with or refer the young person to
another agency for further help. This should only happen with the young
person's express permission subject to child protection and mental health
concerns.
Problems in maintaining confidentiality are unlikely to occur if there is mutual
trust, goodwill and respect between counsellor, school, staff and parents.
6.1 What limitations are there to confidentiality?
(Please refer to the School Base Counselling Tool Kit)
"Any attempt to remove the principle of confidentiality in counselling will
rapidly undermine the overall ethos of the school as a caring educational
community."
(Roger Casemore, Confidentiality & School Counselling, BACP 1995)
However an individual's wishes about confidentiality may be overridden by a
paramount duty to protect a child's welfare. (This depends on the issues
disclosed) (A child is defined as anyone under the age of 18, Children Act
5
1989). School counsellors work in accordance with the child protection
polices of individual schools and the All Wales Child Protection procedures.
At the outset, the counsellor will make it clear to the young person that they
may need to breach confidentiality (i.e. tell someone and seek help). This will
happen when the young person or any other person is at risk of significant
harm. The counsellor will discuss this with the young person again if the need
arises. If the child is *`Gillick and Frazer competent', the counsellor will try to
gain their consent to disclose their concerns. Where possible the counsellor
will keep the young person informed and involve them in this process. School
counsellors are familiar with, and work within, school child protection
procedures and know how to contact the Designated Person for Child
Protection in school. Even without the child's consent, it may be necessary to
disclose information they have revealed.
In the case of a young person threatening suicide or serious self-harm, there
is a general acceptance of the need for intervention even when this involves
breaking confidentiality. More minor concerns will remain confidential unless
the young person wants them shared in order to seek further help.
The counsellor is not required to pass on information about a young person
breaking a school rule or committing an offence, unless it could be deemed
that by doing so the counsellor was aiding and abetting a crime (e.g. - a
young person dealing drugs in school).
* Young people who are considered `Gillick and Frazer-competent' are
deemed to have reached a sufficient understanding and intelligence to be
capable of making his/her mind up on a matter requiring his/her decision
without their parents' permission or against their parents' wishes.
7. Safeguarding / Child Protection
“The counsellor is bound by the All Wales Child Protection Procedures and
guidance within the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).
This includes the requirement for the counsellor to identify and report possible
cases of harm to children and young people, via the Designated Child
Protection Person (DCPP). This would originate from any disclosures made
by the young person or if the counsellor has knowledge, concerns or
suspicions that a child is suffering or is likely to be at risk of harm. This will
include disclosures relating to alleged physical, emotional and/or sexual
abuse and/or neglect from self or other and override any confidentiality
agreement made between counsellor and client.
Counsellors should endeavour to keep up to date with current legislation and
case law. Each Counsellor must have the school’s pastoral documentation,
which includes the child protection policy, anti bullying policy and discipline
6
policy. Each counsellor is required to take part in any national, regional or
local mandatory child protection training.
Specific arrangements for reporting child protection concerns will be agreed
with the school and set out in school procedures. All child protection concerns
MUST be passed onto the DCPP who will work within Welsh Assembly
Government guidance and the All Wales Child Protection Procedures.
Services should pay due regard to current legislation and guidance, and offer
confidentiality within usual ethical and safeguarding limits.
The school and the Counsellor must work together within the requirements of
Welsh Assembly Government guidance, Safeguarding Children: Working
Together Under the Children Act 2004 (published in 2007): Safeguarding
Children in Education: The role of local authorities and governing bodies
under the Education Act 2002 (published in 2008) and the All Wales Child
Protection Procedures (published in 2008).
All educational establishments, independent schools and local authorities are
subject to inspection by Estyn and in some cases, the Care and Social
Services Inspectorate for Wales (CSSIW). The establishment’s performance
in regard to their responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of
children in accordance with the relevant legislation and guidance will form part
of the relevant inspectorate’s judgement of the establishment’s overall
performance. Performance in this area will not be judged solely on the
existence of procedures, but on their effectiveness in terms of safeguarding
children from harm.”
From: School Based Counselling Operating Toolkit, BACP and WG)
8.0 Parental consent
Young people may be offered one or two initial exploratory sessions with a
counsellor before committing themselves, and before any involvement with
parents.
8.1 When does a young person have the right to access counselling
without parental consent?
Sometimes a parent may withhold consent or the young person may be very
distressed and unwilling for the school to approach the parents. In these
cases, counselling can still go ahead if the counsellor assesses the young
person as Gillick competent to consent in their own right. See appendix 2.
If a young person is unwilling to involve their parents and is assessed to be
competent, the young person may give their own written consent for
counselling.
7
"As a general principle it is legal and acceptable for a young
person to ask for confidential counselling without parental
consent providing they are of sufficient understanding and
intelligence."
(Gillick v. West Norfolk AHA, House of Lords 1985)
If they are not Gillick competent parental consent is required except in
Exceptional circumstances where alternatives can be sought.
Assessment of competence based on the Gillick principle depends on;



The maturity of the young person
The young person having sufficient intelligence and understanding to
enable them to understand what is being proposed, i.e. counselling
The young person having sufficient intelligence and understanding of
the consequences of his or her actions
A person who:a) does not have parental responsibility for a particular child but
b) has care of the child;
may (subject to the provisions of the Act) do whatever is reasonable in all the
circumstances of the case for the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the
child's welfare.
(Children Act 1989 s3.(5)
9.0 Counselling sessions
The initial session provides an opportunity for the young person to learn more
about counselling. They will be told that it is voluntary and confidential (with a
few exceptions, which will be explained), start to gain trust in the counsellor,
and talk a bit about their situation. The counsellor will also start to engage the
young person and make an initial assessment, which will inform future work. A
young person may need a second session before they decide if counselling is
right for them. However, one or two sessions may be sufficient for many
young people and then assessment may be a much shorter process.
One to one counselling sessions normally last approximately 45 minutes.
Time may need to be allocated at the end of sessions for young people to
think through the issues explored during the session. It may sometimes be
necessary for a young person to have access to a quiet place after a session.
If a young person has missed two or more sessions once counselling has
begun the designated member of staff will be informed and follow up with the
young person.
8
Ending counselling sessions is usually agreed between the counsellor and the
young person. If this happens the designated member of staff will be informed
together with the relevant Head of Year.
It may sometimes be necessary to refer young people to another agency for
further help. This will be undertaken with the young person’s express
permission, subject to child protection or mental health concerns. The school
counsellor will establish links with other appropriate local agencies and in
some cases with parents or carers.
10. Accommodation
Suitable accommodation should be allocated for counselling sessions. Ideally
the room should not be overlooked and be furnished in a way that
differentiates it from a classroom or office. Awareness of the counselling
service should be raised in schools on a termly basis. Information about when
and where counselling is available should be well advertised throughout the
school
11. School Counselling Service promotion
Information leaflets for parents will be produced by the service in order for
parents to be properly informed and aware how young people can access the
service. Leaflets will be available from school counsellors.
Information regarding the counselling service will be made available in school
prospectus, on school website, in pastoral care literature and information
leaflets.
12. Ethical Framework
All school counsellors are BACP registered and operate in accordance with
the ‘Ethical Framework for Good Practice’ of the British Association for
Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Supervision and record keeping
(within data protection guidelines), evaluation forms and complaints
procedures are all within this code of counsellors professional organisation.
13. Record keeping
The counsellor will provide the designated member of staff with a record of;




Pupils receiving counselling
Parental consent sought or obtained
The number of sessions attended up to the end of counselling
Any further action
9

Plus Welsh Government issues – Gender basis and other statistics.
All Counsellors operating this service will use the same forms for documenting
data and other information (see appendix 3). The school counsellor will keep
`process notes' for the duration of their work with the young people. On
completion of counselling or after use in consultative professional supervision,
the counsellor will ensure the safe keeping of process notes and after a
reasonable period shred these.
The school counsellor will comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 which
covers manual notes kept in a systematic way identifying individuals, as well
as those held on computer. Young people can ask to see these notes after
giving reasonable notice.
In certain cases, children under the age of 16 who have the capacity and
understanding to take decisions about their own treatment are also entitled to
decide whether personal information may be passed on and generally to have
their confidence respected, for example if they were receiving counselling or
treatment about something they did not wish their parent to know. Case law
has established that such a child as known as “Gillick Competent”, where a
child is under 16 but has sufficient understanding in relation to the proposed
treatment to give, or withhold consent, consent or refusal should be
respected. However, good practice dictates that the child should be
encouraged to involve parents or other legal guardians in any treatment.
(Guidance for Access to Health Requests under the Data Protection Act 1998)
The role of Area 43
Area 43 in Cardigan are commissioned by Ceredigion County Council
(through the Partnership Support Team) to manage the School Counselling
Service in Ceredigion. A Service Level Agreement is renewed on an annual
basis. It ensures that there are sufficient and qualified counsellors to provide
an efficient service in Ceredigion. Area 43 have counsellors meeting, provide
training and advice. They supervise the counsellors. They recruit new
counsellors and arrange external clinical supervision. They strive to find new
Welsh speaking counsellors. Area 43 collect, collate and analyse data about
school based counselling in Ceredigion and provide information to the Welsh
Government as and when require. All schools must make arrangements that
counselling data is collected and forwarded to Area 43. They quality assure
the counselling service.
The Ceredigion Partnership Support Team liaises frequently with Area 43 and
with the schools to ensure that counselling is provided to young people across
the county. The Partnership Support Team also work with the Welsh
Government to enhance and develop school based counselling nationally,
regionally and locally.
10
14. Complaints procedures
All School Counselling Service counsellors in Ceredigion are registered
members of the BACP and abide by its Professional Conduct Procedure. The
aim of the Professional Conduct Procedure is to provide complainants with an
open and transparent route of remedy where complaints are made against
members of the BACP. In processing such complaints, the BACP aims to
protect members of the public, the name and reputation of BACP and the
professions of counselling and psychotherapy.
15. Additional information
This document should be read alongside;
School-based Counselling Service in Wales – a National Strategy to be
released in the autumn of 2007 by Welsh Assembly Government
Guidelines for counselling in schools - British Association for Counselling
and Psychotherapy (BACP) together with The Gulbenkian Foundation
Good Practice Guidance for Counselling in Schools published by BACP ed. Janette Newton forth edition 2001.
16. This document will be reviewed on a two yearly basis
References
Casemore, R. (1995), Confidentiality & School Counselling, British
Association of Counselling & Psychotherapists
Children Act, (1989), s3.(5)
DELLS. (2007), School-based Counselling Service in Wales – a National
Strategy, Welsh Assembly Government
House of Lords, Gillick v. West Norfolk AHA, (1985), 3 All ER 402 (HL)
Newton, J. Good Practice Guidance for Counselling in Schools, British
Association of Counselling & Psychotherapists
11
Bond, T. (2007), Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and
Psychotherapy, British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapists
Data Protection Act 1998, Guidance for Access to Health Requests, Dept.
of Health
Websites
www.bacp.co.uk
12
Appendices
Appendix 1 - Referral process
Young person working with
teachers other professionals or
parent/guardian decide whether
they would like to see school
counsellor.
A young person can self refer
directly into the service using any
of the following methods;
Aided
by
professional
or
parent/guardian young person
contacts the counsellor choosing
one of the following methods;




Visiting the counsellor in school
Telephoning the service on
0800 8497979
Texting on 0800 8497979
emailing the service at;
dropin@Area43.co.uk
Counsellor arranges initial session with young person in liaison
with the designated member of school staff
Designated staff member informs
relevant Head of Year that young
person is about to receive
counselling
Once counselling sessions have been completed the school counsellor will inform
designated member of staff.
13
Appendix 2
Gillick and Frazer Competence
A parent does not have the right to control a child up to the
age of 18. Parental control yields to the child's right to make
his own decisions when the child reaches a sufficient
understanding and intelligence to be capable of making up his
own mind on a matter requiring his decision. Such a child is
now commonly described as a Gillick competent child. In
Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Health Authority, the House
of Lords, by a majority, held that a child under the age of 16
was capable of giving consent to medical treatment if he was
capable of understanding what was proposed and of expressing
his own wishes. It follows that the more mature the child, the
more care should be taken to consider his wishes and feelings.
In addition, where a child is 16 or 17 either parent or child can
consent to treatment independently (though neither can
override the other or exercise a veto). The court can, however,
override the wishes of both where treatment is vital to the
child's welfare.
14