Counselling can be very important in many schools – it can help provide important information and perspective to students who might not be able to get it otherwise. Students can go to professional counsellors to seek advice. The goal of every session with the school counsellor is to help student’s thrive and recognise their strengths, as well as improve their interpersonal relationships.

At Newry High School, we access the Independent Counselling Service for Schools (ICSS)This is funded under the Department for Education (DE) ‘imatter’ programme, which supports the emotional health and wellbeing of young people. The Education Authority (EA) are responsible for the operational management and on-going development of the ICSS. 

This services provides the school with 2 counselling sessions a week and a drop in session. Our school counsellor is Nuala Woods and she is based at our school on a Tuesday morning. The key contact for the school, who liaises with the school Counsellor is Mr McKee, Vice-Principal.

Students are able to self-refer to the service. They can do this by speaking to a member of staff or posting their name into the post box at Reception. Staff can also refer in liaison with the Pastoral Care Team. Parents are also able to refer their children through key contact. 

The key contact meets with the School Counsellor weekly to discuss open and new cases. The counselling sessions run for around 40 minutes a session and usually last for a 4 to 6-week period. School will contact parents, where appropriate for consent. The students themselves also need to consent to using the service.

The work that the School Counsellor does with the student is confidential, however, if there is a safeguarding concern raised, the School Counsellor will report this to the school Safeguarding Team, they will act according to our Safeguarding Policy.

If you would like to discuss this service, please contact Mr McKee. Parents should be made aware that there is a waiting list in operation for this service.