Working with Schools

Brighter Horizons 4U will work in close partnership with the Head teacher and team of staff. Each school will have a designated counsellor who is available to offer support and advice for school, parents and children. This service will provide emotional support to children. The DFES guidelines encourage positive mental health in children’s early years and schools settings.  Schools offer pupils an educational opportunity for personal development; a counselling service will complement and support the aims set out within the National Curriculum Guidelines.

As OFSTED have stated a good school is judged on the support available to students who are experiencing problems not the lack of problems within schools. Young children who display emotional and behavioural difficulties benefit from early intervention through the use of counselling, group counselling or workshops.

What support is available?

We offer on-site counselling service for children who need additional emotional support. We deal with all issues that children face in today’s society. Through counselling, children and young people are provided with a space to express their thoughts, feelings and help gain a clear insight into why they may be finding life so difficult. Strategies to manage themselves and their relationships more effectively can be developed.

We are here to help them explore their options focusing on changes they may feel need to be made which will help reduce any confusion they may be feeling. We believe by helping children and young people examine in details their behaviour or situation can help initiate change. This will arm children with life skills for when they are faced with future difficulties.

Our Services can offer:

  • One-to-one counselling in a confidential setting
  • Group counselling
  • Parent counselling & support
  • Staff counselling & support
  • Training workshops for teachers & students

By providing support about half the people with common mental health problems are no longer affected after 18 months. (www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk)

The need for early intervention

Young children who display emotional and behavioural difficulties benefit from early intervention through the use of counselling, group counselling or workshops.

The DFES guidelines encourage positive mental health in children’s early years and school settings.  Schools offer pupils an educational opportunity for personal development; a counselling service complements and supports the aims set out in the National Curriculum Guidelines.    

One in ten children between the ages of 1 to 15 has a mental health disorder.  (The Office for National Statistics Mental Health in children and young people in Great Britain 2005)

One child in 20 has a severe behavioural problem.  This often has a devastating impact on a child’s future greatly increasing suicide, unemployment or poor health (www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk)

  • One in ten children between the ages of 1 to 15 has a mental health disorder. (The Office for National Statistics Mental Health in children and young people in Great Britain 2005)

  • One child in 20 has a severe behavioural problem. This often has a devastating impact on a child’s future greatly increasing suicide, unemployment or poor health (www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk)

  • By providing support about half the people with common mental health problems are no longer affected after 18 months (www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk)

“The students view the counsellors as impartial and have discussed issues with them that they may have not discussed with other staff and parents.  The impact has been extremely positive”
Pastoral Support Manager
Formby High School

How to access this service

Service level agreements obtained which will be provided by Brighter Horizons 4U or in some cases the local authority.

A meeting will be arranged between Brighter Horizons 4U and the school at which a designated team member of Brighter Horizons 4U will be assigned who will offer advice and support to school.

Initially a child needs to be identified through a self-referral, school or parents.

Parental/Guardian consent obtained.

Counsellor referral completed.

Confidential setting established within school and a designated time arranged.

A meeting arranged with designated team member of Brighter Horizons 4U and parent/guardian to discuss the counselling process (if a child requests or is under the age of 13).

Once counselling and contract is agreed session will commence.

All resources are provided by Brighter Horizons 4U

All team members of Brighter Horizons 4U have extensive training in working with schools, children and families. All our staff have been DBS checked, fully insured and have attended Child Protection courses and will adhere to schools Safeguarding policies and procedures.