As you may know, Barnardo’s provide a counselling service to post-primary aged pupils in Rossmar School. This service is available to any pupil in Year 8 and up.

 

There are 3 options for pupil referral to this service:

 

Parent  referral
School referral
Self referral

 

Self referral will still be an option this year and will be closely monitored. A pictorial referral form has been devised. Pupils will be able to place their photographs into a box specifically for this purpose. This box will be checked daily by myself and I will speak to pupils to determine if their problem needs dealt with immediately or whether it can wait until the counsellor’s weekly visit.

 

If, as a parent you do not wish to avail of this service, you can inform the school that you wish to opt out. However, if a pupil is aged 14 or over and are deemed to be Gillick Competent, they have a right to access the counselling service, without the knowledge of their parents. However, as both staff and Barnardo’s believe that it is in the best interest of the child/ young person to have adult support for therapeutic work, we will always endeavour to encourage your child to share with you. We will never work with a child without knowing or having a key adult as a back up. Anyone seeking further information may contact Catherine McLaughlin (Barnardo’s Counsellor) on 07736453293.

 

This has proved to be a vital service to the pupils in our school throughout the last five years. I ask that any parent who feels that this service may benefit their son/daughter should contact their class teacher to make the referral.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Mrs C Archibald

Vice Principal