Teacher and counsellor perceptions of a school-based counselling service in South Wales

This small-scale study, based in a semi-rural South Wales Local Authority, sought to explore how both school-based counsellors and link-teachers perceive their school-based counselling services. The research aimed to answer three research questions: 1) what are the perceived impacts of the service? 2) what are the perceived attributes of the service? and 3) what are the perceived barriers to and facilitators for an effective service? The research utilised a mixed-methods approach including the use of questionnaires, a focus group and interviews. Analysis consisted of descriptive statistical interpretation of the quantitative data and content analysis of qualitative data. Main findings concur with the literature, with the most frequently perceived impact to be on pupils' mental health and emotional well-being. In conclusion, the current research contributes to the growing support for school-based counselling services. Further findings and implications are discussed.