DE Independent Counselling Service in Schools (ICSS) Post Primary

Tender description

Independent counselling support has been accessible to all grant aided post primary schools that choose to use it from the beginning of September 2007 on the basis of a half day per week per school. Young people are able to self refer or may be referred by the school or a parent. To date 98% of the schools make regular use of the service. The introduction and continuation of this service for pupils recognises that counselling can assist young people during difficult and vulnerable periods in their lives. Counselling support also contributes to the broader agenda to improve educational outcomes for all pupils in providing help to address barriers to learning. All pupils of post-primary age, whether in grant-aided post primary schools, or in educational placements made by the Education and Library Boards (EOTAS – education otherwise than at school), should have access to counselling support. At October 2013 there were some 210 grant-aided post primary catering for some 148,000 pupils and around 500 pupils based in 11 EOTAS settings. For the purposes of service delivery the schools have been split into 11 areas, based on the proposed District Council Areas, with one provider successful in each area.