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Supporting School Children’s Mental Health

Supporting Children’s Mental Health

North East Counselling Services provides one-to-one counselling to children and young people from age 4 upwards, to help them explore and understand their own feelings, and find ways forward. We work in primary and secondary schools across Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne and the wider North East, supporting children’s mental health.

Mental health is one of the most common reasons why children do not reach their potential in school. Engaging with school work can be challenging if a child’s home life is difficult, they are struggling with who they are, or they feel alone and friendless. This can sometimes emerge as disengagement, angry outbursts or withdrawal into themselves – affecting the child’s own learning and sometimes that of others.

Making available counselling for students is an excellent way to bring good mental health and personal development to the fore, in a whole school approach. By really listening to children and young people, counselling can help them to:

  • Better communicate their needs
  • Navigate their emotional issues
  • Reduce their distress
  • Bring about improvements in their mental health
  • Become more resilient and take greater responsibility for themselves

All of which positively impacts their performance at school – a happier child learns more and engages with school life.

School-based counselling can provide pupils with one-to-one time with our in a convenient place, that is familiar to them, allowing them to work through their feelings that are holding them back.

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Counselling for School Children

Young People’s and Children’s Issues

Our school counsellors work with mild to moderate emotional and mental health difficulties. We counsel children and young people with a wide variety of issues, including:

Bullying
Self-harm
Anger
Exam stress
Self-acceptance and body image
Family problems
Life transitions
Friendship issues
Loss or bereavement
Relationship issues
Anxiety
Low mood
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School Counselling at Different Ages

Younger children often show how they feel through play rather than words. The counsellor will use this medium to better enable the child to express themselves. This approach can also be useful in helping neurodiverse children and those with some developmental delay.

When we work with older children or teenagers, ‘talking things through’ is the most common approach. This enables trust to develop, building a therapeutic relationship and working toward improved wellbeing.

How We Work With Schools

We can provide in-school counselling for just one child, or can offer from a half day to several days of in-school counsellor support each week. If a student struggles to be seen in school, then alternative venues can be used.

To arrange counselling, discuss counselling costs and budgets, or simply to explore how we might be able to work together, please click below to ‘get in touch’. You can alternatively telephone us on 0191 4661314 or email info@necounselling.org.uk to get started.

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Counselling for Schools - North East Counselling Services

Referring on to Other Services

If, at the first counselling session, we feel that the issues a child or young person is experiencing (or some other background factors) mean they would benefit from a different type of therapy or service, which we do not provide, then we will discuss that with the school. We would also do this if, during or at the end of counselling, we felt that the child could benefit from some other support.

Need mental health support for your school?

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FAQs about our School Counselling Services

Still got a question? Find out everything you need to know about our School Counselling services below. Alternatively, please contact us if you would like more information.

Yes. North East Counselling Services provides one-to-one counselling to children and young people, as well as to school staff.

North East Counselling Services provides one-to-one counselling to children and young people from age 4 upwards.

We can provide in-school counselling for just one child, or can offer from a half day to several days of in-school counsellor support each week. If a student struggles to be seen in school, then alternative venues can be used.

If, at the first counselling session, we feel that the issues a child or young person is experiencing (or some other background factors) mean they would benefit from a different type of therapy or service, which we do not provide, then we will discuss that with the school. We would also do this if, during or at the end of counselling, we felt that the child could benefit from some other support.

Our rapid response, crisis service provides trauma-informed support when a school has been affected by an unexpected death or other major incident.

We have supported schools in this way, for example, after

  • Traumatic bereavements
  • Violent incidents that have affected pupils and/or staff

To assess needs, we aim to meet within 24 hours of your first contact with us. We will then work quickly with you to agree and co-ordinate rapid access to services.

This might involve one-to-one counselling for a small number of students or staff who have been most affected, or group-based sessions where appropriate.

Individual Student and Staff Counselling

When our counsellors work one-on-one with your pupils or staff, what they say to us will be confidential, within safe and legal limits. This allows them the freedom to express themselves and really get to the root of the issues, without fear of any judgement or negative repercussions from others.

 

 Group Work with School Staff

When working with groups of staff, it’s important to create a safe space in which they can speak freely. In order to do that, the counsellor facilitating the group will make an oral contract with the school staff who take part, limiting what can be shared outside of the sessions.

Our schools counsellors are fully qualified and are registered or accredited members of a professional membership body, such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

All of our counsellors:

  • Work to a competence framework and strict code of ethics set by their membership body.
  • Hold an up-to-date, Enhanced, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and complete regular safeguarding training
  • Are covered by professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance.

Each counsellor also receives a minimum of an hour of clinical supervision each month and undertakes appropriate continuing professional development, to inform and continually strengthen their work.

To ensure that all of the counselling we deliver is safe and ethical, we assess any risks that arise during work with a child or and young person. If at any time the counsellor feels risks may be present, they will:

  • Follow the procedures set out by the school;
  • Report to the school’s designated safeguarding lead (DSL);
  • Log the safeguarding issue on North East Counselling Services’ own system;
  • Ensure that they act in line with best practice guidance and with our own safeguarding policy

Counsellors are also able to contact a safeguarding lead, at our head office, for support as required.

To arrange counselling, discuss counselling costs and budgets, or simply to explore how we might be able to work together, please telephone us on 0191 4661314 and ask to speak to Marj Hunter (CEO) or Jolene McCourt (Operations Manager). Alternatively, email marj@necounselling.org.uk or jolene@necounselling.org.uk – or fill in our contact form to get started.

What Our Clients Say About Us

Students are better equipped to manage their emotions, resolve conflicts, and navigate academic challenges.

Since implementing the school counselling service, we’ve witnessed a positive transformation in our school environment. Students are better equipped to manage their emotions, resolve conflicts, and navigate academic challenges. The counsellors have been invaluable in supporting students’ social and emotional well-being, creating a more positive and inclusive learning atmosphere.

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