Launch of first “Schools counselling service”

Thousands of children will benefit from a schools counselling pilot scheme which is the first to be set up in Wales and will be launched in Grangetown Primary at 10.30am on Monday, November 30.

Six primary schools are involved in the initiative under the Assembly Government’s schools-based counselling programme. It is also the first scheme in Wales for leading UK charity The Place2Be.

Funded jointly by Cardiff Council, the Assembly Government, HBOS Foundation and Private Equity Foundation, the Place2Be scheme places qualified counsellors within a number of local schools to form a hub. Herbert Thompson, Ninian Park, Glan yr Afon, Moorland, Grangetown and Windsor Clive primaries are all involved in the Cardiff scheme.

At each site there is a dedicated ‘Place2Be room’ and a specialist on-site team, consisting of a School Project Manager (a fully qualified counsellor or therapist with experience of working with children) and up to six trained counsellors who volunteer their time. Each team is based on site in the school between two-and-a-half and three days a week and offers a range of immediate and accessible interventions to the children.

Parents and carers are also supported with advice, consultation and, where appropriate, an introduction to other agencies that can provide further support. A range of services are also offered to teachers and school staff to support their complex, demanding roles within the school community.

In addition to the school based work, multi-agency workers such as school nurses, education psychologists and education welfare officers are linked closely to the service. This helps to ensure a joined up package of care and onward referrals to specialist agencies.

Executive Member for Schools and Lifelong Learning Councillor Freda Salway said: “This scheme is a proven, supportive way to give the many children who need it the helping hand to improve their lives, both in the short and long terms. The schools have worked for some time to secure this aid and I know the skills of the various agencies and individuals involved will be of huge benefit.”

Cardiff Place2Be Project Manager Linda Nicklin said: “The Place2Be scheme is committed to supporting troubled, unhappy children in schools. Ten percent of five to 15 year olds have a diagnosed mental health problem, 80 percent of children who show behavioural problems at the age of five go on to develop more anti-social behaviour and over 90 percent of young offenders have had a mental health problem as children. What we are aiming to do is help young children at a very early age to stop such problems later in life.”