DE - Independent Counselling Service in Schools (ICSS) Special Schools

Tender description

Independent counselling support has been accessible to all post primary aged pupils attending special schools from the beginning of January 2011 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. In the school year 2012/13 the ICSS provided over 5000 counselling sessions in Special Schools. Additional sessions were provided in support of schools dealing with a critical incident. 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. There are currently 33 special schools catering for pupils aged 11 years up to 20 years old. These schools cater for the needs of pupils with moderate learning disabilities (MLD), severe learning disabilities (SLD), emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD) and various physical disabilities. For service delivery the schools have been split into 11 areas, based on the proposed District Council Areas, with one provider successful in each Contract Area.