An audit of a school-based counselling provision for emotional and behavioural difficulties in primary school children

Abstract

The presence and prevalence of mental health problems in young children ad well as therapeutic interventions is less well understood than the same problems in adults, Long-term consequences of childhood mental health problems have been noted, yet provision of services at the age appropriate level is ofter limited. This sudy presents a case note audit of 540 children attending an innovative programme for counselling and therapy in school-based centres based in 8 inner London Primary schools. This represented 22.4% of all children attending the schools, with an overage age at referral of 8.1 Years. 53.8% of boys compared to 46.2% girls ew referred emanating from varied backgrounds. The majority of the children spoke English at home (86%) and the only significant differences according to home language related to concern over social interactions. Comparisons between children cared for by both parents(48%) and those cardd for by a single parent (37.3%) showed the latter group to have higher distress and concerns affection school work, home situation, stress for significant life events and lowered coping. Atendance and defaulting rates were good, with no significant differences among those who attended regularly. Many of the conderns surrounded self-esteem and social/family factors. The level of distress was significantly lowered after counselling (t = 17.5 p_.001) 51.45 of the children experienced significant life events which preceded their referral, 30.9% triggered the referral and 45.6% during the course of counselling. Distress caused by life events was generally high with coping levels moving down after multiple exposure. The data is discussed in the light of future provision of care for children.