The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., together with the Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), has today published a booklet which will support the promotion of well-being in Post-Primary schools.
Student Support Teams in Post-Primary Schools is a guide to establishing a team or reviewing an existing team whose role is to support all students’ learning, social, emotional and behavioural needs. The booklet describes how the resources of the school can be organised to benefit students and in particular those with additional support needs. The booklet reflects existing good practice in schools.
It is estimated that one in ten children and teenagers experience mental health disorders which impact on their relationships and day-to-day coping skills. Many mental health problems emerge in childhood and early adolescence. Addressing learning, social and behavioural issues helps prevent the development of mental health issues.
Launching the booklet, Minister Quinn said, “Post-primary schools have a vital role to play in supporting the positive mental health and well-being of young people. They do this by creating caring environments, by educating young people about their health, and by addressing additional learning and support needs for those experiencing difficulty.
“I welcome the publication of this booklet which will be an important resource for schools in promoting and protecting students’ well-being.”
When addressing mental health, social, learning or behaviour needs in post-primary schools, early identification and intervention is key to ensuring the best outcomes. A strong support system in a school can be the vital mechanism for doing this, whether through providing in-school interventions or through involving specialist services.
It is also worth noting that for most young people, difficulties are short-lived and resolved with good support and minimal intervention. However, some difficulties that arise in adolescence can be serious and enduring and some students will require more intense and/or long term support, including referral to specialist services.
NEPS psychologists are available to provide advice to schools on setting up or reviewing student support teams and supporting schools in liaising with other community based services that also have a role in mental health promotion.
ENDS
For more information contact Deirdre Grant 01 889 2417
Editors’ Note:
The booklet Student Support Teams in Post Primary Schools is available at http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/Educational-Psychologist-NEPS-/Student-Support-Teams-in-Post-Primary-Schools.pdf
The report complements and is best understood when read with:
· Well-Being in Post-Primary Schools Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention: (DES/DOH/HSE 2013) – provides information for post-primary schools on addressing mental health promotion and student well-being.
http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Education-Reports/Well_Being_PP_Schools_Guidelines.pdf
· A Continuum of Support for Post-Primary Schools Guidelines for Teachers and A Continuum of support for Post-Primary Schools Resource Pack for Teachers: The National Educational Psychological Service (2010) – provides a framework for schools to support students with social, emotional or learning needs.
http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/Educational-Psychologist-NEPS-/neps_post_primary_continuum_teacher_guide.pdf
· Planning a School Guidance Programme: The National Centre for Guidance in Education (2004) – provides guidance for schools in developing the whole Guidance Plan.
http://www.ncge.ie/uploads/Pl_Sch_Gui_prog_leaf.pdf