Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Education and Learning committee [15 January 2020] will consider a report on counselling in schools.
Committee members will be asked to note:
• The success and impact of the Youth Information Workers in Schools pilot project; and
• The expansion of the Youth Information Workers in Schools project as the delivery model for the Scottish Government’s requirement for counselling services in schools.
The Youth Enquiry Service and Educational Psychology have delivered a pilot project to provide low level mental health support and early intervention in the region’s secondary schools. The project has been supported by 3 youth information workers, specifically recruited. Aimed at closing the poverty related attainment gap, the project has been fully funded by the Pupil Equity Fund.
Councillor Jeff Leaver, chair of the Education and Learning committee, said: “Providing the best start in life for all our children and protecting our most vulnerable people are priorities for our Council. This project is clearly delivering positive outcomes for young people through early intervention. Additional funding from the Scottish Government, specifically for delivering access to counsellors in schools, will enable us to continue the service to August 2023 and expand the scope of this successful model, uniquely developed in Dumfries and Galloway, which has already proven to deliver positive outcomes for many of our young people.”
Councillor Ros Surtees, vice-chair, said: “The information gathered during this pilot project, using nationally recognised tools, clearly demonstrates improved health and wellbeing outcomes for young people. Youth information workers ensured that the project successfully delivered an approach tailored to the needs of individual schools.”
See full report: https://dumfriesgalloway.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=549&MId=4881
