‘If you don't want to tell anyone else you can tell her’: young people's views on school counselling

Abstract

The aim of the research was to assess the views of young people about school counselling. In total, 415 pupils from five secondary schools took part in the survey. A smaller number of these pupils took part in focus groups (n 0/9) to explore their views in more depth. In general, the young people seemed to value having a school counsellor. Most were aware of the school counselling service, although a substantial number (21%) indicated a lack of awareness. For many who were aware, their knowledge of the service was limited. Just over one third of the pupils stated that they would go to see the school counsellor, and girls were more likely to state this than boys. The confidentiality of the service was perceived to be one of the benefits. However, this was also reported to be a hindering factor *the concern that it may not, in fact, be confidential. Two other main reasons for not accessing the service were the counsellor being a stranger and (for boys in particular) a concern about other people finding out (associated with the social stigma of going for counselling). Suggestions to improve the school counselling service included a room in a discrete location, better promotion of the service, more counsellors or a full-time counsellor, and ways to get to know the counsellor better. Those responsible for developing and managing school counselling services should consider these suggestions.

Výchovné poradenství očima žáků základních škol

“…Tento článek se nechal inspirovat celou řadou zahraničních výzkumů (Howieson, Semple, 2000, Fox, Butler, 2007, Boulton et al, 2007 a interpretuje výsledky realizovaného výzkumného šetření, které se zaměřuje na výchovné poradenství očima žáků základních škol. Může pomoci objevit pohled mladé generace na práci výchovných poradců ve školách a orientovat se v něm.…”

“…Mohou narušovat také školní život a bránit efektivnímu vzdělávání (Fox, Butler, 2007). Přitom právě školní prostředí je jedno z nejdůležitějších, kde by se mělo odehrávat preventivní působení, které předchází vzniku deviantního chování dětí a mládeže.…”

“…Právě na žáky, kteří jsou těmito změnami ovlivněni, je zaměřeno výzkumné šetření kvantitativní povahy. Obdobný výzkum byl realizován v roce 2007 (Fox, Butler, 2007) ve Velké Británii a z jeho výsledků vyplynulo, že délka školní docházky dítěte ovlivňuje jeho povědomí o existenci výchovného poradce ve škole. Obecně podle autorů výzkumu platí, že povědomí žáků o existenci výchovného poradce ve škole je velmi nízká, což vyplývá i z názorů respondentů o nutnosti jakési "propagace" výchovného poradenství ve škole.…”

How do secondary school counsellors work with other professionals?

“…: 21). Fox and Butler (2007) examined young people's views on school counselling and found that young people do value having counsellors in schools. However, they also pointed to a range of issues that needed to be taken into account by those who manage school counselling services, including 'how counselling services become more accessible and acceptable to young people' (ibid.…”

“…• the effectiveness of school counselling services (Cooper, 2004; • the views of school staff attitudes to counselling (Cooper et al, 2005;Baginsky, 2003) • the views of young people about school counselling (Fox and Butler, 2007) • models of counselling service delivery (Pattison et al, 2008). Cooper (2004Cooper ( , 2006 indicates that school counselling interventions are beneficial to young people, including a reduction in psychological distress, and thus increases in psychological wellbeing as a result.…”