A recent government-backed report reveals that one-to-one counselling in primary schools significantly enhances children’s emotional control, resilience, and coping skills, prompting plans for wider implementation across disadvantaged areas.
A Government-backed evaluation is set to conclude that one-to-one counselling in primary schools can help young children improve emotional control, resilience and coping skills, strengthening the case for wider roll-out of the pilot scheme.
The National Educational Psychological Service report, to be published by Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton, assesses a counselling pilot for pupils with mild to moderate mental health needs. According to the Department of Education and Youth, the programme began in 2023 with a €5 million budget and was designed to test two strands of support: direct counselling for children and education wellbeing teams working with schools.
The evaluation, carried out by the Centre for Effective Services, covers work in Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan and Tipperary, as well as wider wellbeing support in other areas. It is expected to say that children, parents, school leaders and staff responded positively to the service and that pupils reported gains in emotional regulation, communication and practical coping strategies.
The findings also build on the Government’s earlier decision to expand the pilot. In October 2024, the then education minister extended one-to-one counselling to 61 urban DEIS primary schools in Tallaght, Clondalkin, Finglas, Ballymun and Darndale, areas identified as facing high levels of disadvantage. The broader scheme reflects a policy shift towards earlier school-based intervention for children whose difficulties do not yet require specialist mental health treatment.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
