It’s claimed the lack of school guidance counsellors in Clare is severely hindering the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.
The Irish Institute of Guidance Counsellors has issued their pre-budget submission calling for the government to employ a suite of measures aimed at tackling a national crisis.
Among the key components of the IGCs pre budget submission are calls for an urgent review of the national supply of guidance counsellors and a ringfenced allocation of hours for each and every pupil.
Prior to the abolishment of the ex-quota system, secondary schools were guaranteed a minimum of 22 hours of guidance counsellor support each week.
Under the current arrangements, the hours are now distributed at the discretion of the principal.
However, a survey carried out this year by IGC found that just 4% of members had the full 22 hours available to them to carry out essential duties such as career advice and one on one clinics.
Inagh, Green Party Senator, Roisín Garvey says Guidance Counsellors are at the frontline of a mental health crisis and need to be available to engage with students.
A Clare Guidance Counsellor believes a dedicated point of contact is required for all schools in the event of crisis management.
There is just one counsellor for every 453 secondary school students nationwide, while over 10% of those qualified in the profession are currently out of practice.
Last year meanwhile, Clare’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service dealt with 412 referrals.
Guidance Counsellor at Kilrush Community School, Aisling Haugh says teaching commitments can often clash with the duties of a counsellor and that structures need to be introduced to ensure young people are never left behind in their moment of need.
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