Carlow primary schools to have well-being and psychological support teams in coming weeks

Carlow is one of four pilot areas which will have psychological support and well-being teams in place for primary schools in the coming weeks. 

Deputy Sorca Clarke recently asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the pilot counselling programmes in primary schools, in a Dáil question. 

Minister Norma Foley confirmed: "Strand 2 will see the establishment of a new type of support to schools from Education Well-being Teams and the introduction of Well-being Practitioners to support clusters of schools in Cork, Carlow, Dublin 7 and Dublin 16. Candidates for the Well-being Practitioners for Strand 2 of the pilot have been interviewed and positions have been offered.

"We anticipate these practitioners will be employed in the four pilot areas in the coming weeks, and they will initially receive additional training by NEPS psychologists. NEPS psychologists will also provide on-going professional supervision to support and maintain the work undertaken by the practitioners. This will ensure safe practice and the use of evidence-informed programmes and supports in schools.

"The focus of the support to be provided under Strand 2 is on strengthening whole school preventative approaches. This includes the provision of psycho-educational support for parents and teachers, and the provision of early intervention to children with mild/emerging need, using low-level therapeutically-informed approaches.

"Through this existing pilot programme and subsequent evaluation we are confident that we will gather valuable learning that will inform future policy and provision in this area," Minister Foley said.