The School Counselling Service delivers one to one counselling to children and young people in schools and is also a resource to wider school communities, including parents, carers and staff.
One to one School Counselling is available to pupils aged 10 to 18 years.
- Sessions can be delivered online, in person or over the phone
- Sessions normally take place weekly
- Are accessed from a safe, confidential base
- Counselling sessions usually continue throughout school holidays
School Counsellors work with the team around each young person wherever they can to ensure that counselling is the best fit and offered at the right time. The service works in partnership with Education and other services such as Child and Adolscent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and the School Nursing Service to promote inclusion and improve outcomes for children and young people across Shetland.
Access to School Counselling should be part of a holistic approach to supporting mental health and emotional well-being and it is expected that school based strategies and supports will be ongoing with any child or young person.
Each school is allocated a School Counsellor who works closely with them to help children and young people access the School Counselling Service. Schools have dedicated members of staff (LINK workers - usually Pupil Support or Head teacher) who normally requests counselling for a child/young person. Requests for counselling can also be made by parents/carers or by the young person themselves.
Please speak to the LINK worker in school who can support pupils access to School Counselling. The School Counselling Service can also be contacted directly by email.