“It’s given me a safe space to talk and understand how I’m feeling without any negative backlash.”

Connect-Ed participant, aged 13

Sharing the progress we all make together

Research shows that counselling in schools can lead to significant reductions in children/young people’s psychological distress. We use clinical outcome measures to ensure the benefits of our work. All schools receive detailed termly reports showing the true impact of the programme on the overall mental health of children and young people who are enrolled.

The difference school counselling and therapy makes

Our extensive experience has shown that school-based counselling and therapy services can make a significant difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people. This model works because the service is:

 

Delivered in a safe and familiar environment

Holistic, working in partnership with other key adults in the child’s life

Run by specialists (all our staff are qualified and experienced mental health professionals)

How we measure outcomes and evidence impact

Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework requires every school to demonstrate how they support pupils’ personal development, including their resilience and ability to keep mentally healthy. We provide detailed reports to schools outlining what our counselling service has achieved and the impact of this work. This helps to take some of the burden of paperwork and reporting off the school team.

A range of clinical outcome measures are used (both pre and post intervention) including:

  • Young Person’s Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (YP-CORE)
  • Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQs)
  • Bespoke feedback forms including therapeutic progress and child voice

Thanks to these measures we know that over 90% of the children and young people who access our services show a marked improvement in their emotional wellbeing and related symptoms.

“The therapy has been invaluable in ensuring the continue positive developments in the classroom. The therapist gives regular feedback and is able to pass on professional advice and suggestions, as well as resources.”

Davina Jude, Headteacher, Old Oak Primary School

What the children and young people in your school can expect:

Enhanced emotional wellbeing

Greater resilience for dealing with challenging life events

Less disruptive, anti-social, or aggressive behaviour

Reduction in depression, anxiety, and related emotional symptoms

Improved social skills and peer relationships

Improved confidence and self-esteem

Stronger family relationships

Enhanced ability to achieve at school

Research supporting the efficacy of school counselling

The positive impact school counselling/therapy can have has been supported by extensive research. One study published in January 2021 found that child led counselling in schools created significant reductions in pupils’ psychological distress over the long-term. The study also found pupils who were offered counselling experienced significantly improved self-esteem, as well as large increases in their achievement of personal goals.

“All children should be able to access professional, qualified counselling and therapy services in their school or college in an age-appropriate form.”

Taskforce on Mental Health in Society (2015)