Schools based counselling services

Area 43 delivers the Independent Schools Based Counselling Service in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The counselling service began in 2008, following a commitment made by Welsh Government that ‘all school pupils will be able to access counselling, giving them confidence that their needs will be heard and addressed’. The development of a universal school-based counselling service for all children and young people in Wales was a recommendation of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales’ Clywch Inquiry Report.

Counselling is a skilled way of helping people with personal and developmental issues and difficulties. A safe and confidential environment gives individuals an opportunity to explore, discover and clarify ways to live in a more satisfying and resourceful way. It offers the opportunity to increase self-awareness, develop personal resources and understanding of problems as well as developing strategies to cope with change.

Area 43’s counselling service is available to all children and young people between 10 and 18 in both counties, whether they are in school, home or ‘educated otherwise’. We have both male and female counsellors in our team and can offer counselling bilingually. We deliver counselling sessions to over 1,000 young people annually.

There are several ways to access the counselling service – to make an appointment ask your teacher, head of year, the counsellor in your school. If you want to make an appointment without talking to anyone in school, you can ring Area 43 on 0800 0385778, which is a free call number or 01239 614566, during office hours. In some circumstances we would need to ask your parent/carer for their consent, but we would discuss this with you beforehand.

Area 43 takes referrals from other professional agencies, parents/carers, health workers, youth workers and school staff but no one can ‘make’ you have counselling if you do not want it.

Area 43 is an active member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and its Children & Young People’s Division. We are committed to supporting the BACP’s Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling. The counselling service is monitored by the clinical director and the management at Area 43.