Counselling service available to all post-primary schools - Ruane

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has announced the award of a £1.8million contract to three local organisations to provide counselling services to all post-primary schools in the north.

The Minister said: “I am pleased to announce that the new contracts have been awarded. All pupils of post-primary age will continue to have access to counselling support. Counselling can assist young people during difficult and vulnerable periods in their lives and so, by having this service available, we aim to address the barriers to learning therefore improving the educational outcomes of all our pupils.”

The new contracts have been awarded to New Life Counselling, Counselling4Youth and Family Works. The counselling support provided conforms to the current best practice and professional standards for school-based counselling, specifically in respect of counsellor qualifications, continuous professional development, supervision policy and safe working practices.

The Minister added: “The service will be in place for the start of the new school year in September. All post-primary schools have been notified of the new arrangements and have already begun holding meetings with the providers.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The schools have been split into 11 areas based on the proposed new District Council areas.

2. New Life Counselling was awarded nine of the 11 areas with Counselling4Youth and Family Works both awarded one.

3. A photograph of the Minister with representatives from the organisations awarded the counselling contracts is available from Parkway photography.

4. Media queries, contact the Department of Education Press Office on 028 9127 9701. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.