School Counselling & Student Support
For Parents & Carers
Counselling provides a safe and confidential space for young people to talk to a trained counsellor about issues and concerns they face. The counsellor will help the young person explore their thoughts, feelings and actions so they can develop a better understanding of themselves and of others.
Counsellors do not give advice or tell young people what to do, instead they help them to make their own choices to facilitate personal growth and self-awareness.
Counselling offers student the opportunity to talk in order to:
- Develop emotional health and wellbeing
- Overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential
- Increase resilience so they are better able to manage personal difficulties
- Develop self-esteem and self-confidence
What is talked about during counselling is confidential. However, the safety and welfare of our students is paramount and there are circumstances when information shared in confidence may need to be passed on. Students will sign an agreement acknowledging when confidentiality may be broken.
Counselling is voluntary and it is always the young person’s choice about whether they would like to attend counselling.
If you would like to refer a student for counselling please send an email to counselling@fulford.york.sch.uk and include the following:
- Your name and relationship to the young person
- The student’s name and year group
- A brief outline of the reason for referral
- Confirmation the student is aware of the referral being made
You will then be contacted by the School Counsellor who will gather more information about the referral and arrange an initial assessment with the student.
Disclaimer: Please note that the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and School Social Worker also have access to the mailbox and may see your referral.
The email address counselling@fulford.york.sch.uk is for referrals only. For any other queries please contact the school on 01904 633 300.
For Students
Counselling offers a safe, non-judgemental space to explore your feelings and work through any issues you are experiencing. Your counsellor will work with you by listening carefully and trying to understand how things look and feel from your point of view. By doing this they will be able to help you to view your situation in a different way and you may work together to find solutions to any problems you might have.
Counselling can help with many things. It might help you to see things more clearly, increase your resilience, build self-esteem and self-confidence, or help you to deal with difficult feelings such as low mood or anxiety.
You will meet your counsellor once a week. Sessions are usually 30-60 minutes long and you will normally work together for six sessions however this could be longer or shorter depending on your needs.
What is talked about during counselling is confidential however there are certain circumstances when confidentiality may need to be broken if your counsellor is concerned that you are at serious risk of harm.
Your counsellor would always try to talk to you about any concerns before sharing something you have said with anybody else.
Your counsellor would discuss this in more detail in your first session and ask you to sign an agreement to confirm you understand the limits to confidentiality.
If you would like to access counselling in school please send an email to counselling@fulford.york.sch.uk and include the following:
- Your name and form
- A brief description of why you would like to access counselling
You will then be contacted by the School Counsellor who will invite you for an assessment to discuss your situation and whether counselling is appropriate for you.
Disclaimer: Please note that the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and School Social Worker also have access to the mailbox and may see your referral so provide only brief details. You will have a chance to discuss things in further detail at your assessment.
