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How do secondary school counsellors work with other professionals?
Author(s) -
Cromarty Karen,
Richards Kaye
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
counselling and psychotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.38
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1746-1405
pISSN - 1473-3145
DOI - 10.1080/14733140903083821
Subject(s) - work (physics) , service delivery framework , service (business) , medical education , nursing , quality (philosophy) , psychology , focus group , medicine , sociology , engineering , mechanical engineering , philosophy , economy , epistemology , anthropology , economics
Abstract Aim : This study explores how secondary school counsellors work with other professionals within and outside schools in the delivery of services. Method: Sixteen school counsellors from across the UK were interviewed, in four different focus groups – two in England ( n =8) and two in Scotland ( n =8). Results : The findings indicate that the professional relationships counsellors have with other colleagues have a direct influence upon the quality of the service they feel able to offer. Time spent with colleagues when setting up services was viewed as highly beneficial, as was time spent building relationships and connections with colleagues within the school and from external agencies and organisations, as well as having a senior member of staff to liaise with. It is apparent that attending to relationships outside of the counselling room may influence the positive outcomes for the counselling service and its clients generally. Conclusions : Implications of these findings may influence the ways in which counsellors are employed by commissioners, and how counsellors use their time allocation in schools to ensure that effective services are both achieved and maintained.