Dr. Valerie Richardson School of Applied Social Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin 4 Ireland

Children’s views on personal and social issues Support services within and outside school

Outline of Presentation Background to the study Aims and objectives Ethical issues Methodology Findings Conclusions

Neighbourhood of School 50% families on State Benefits 27% parents no formal educational qualifications 10% + unemployment rate 33% lone parent households 57% in social housing 25% houses inadequate heating

Home School Liaison Officer Art Therapist Special Educational Needs Teacher SCHOOL CARE TEAM Career Guidance Counsellor (teacher ) School Chaplain AT RISK CARE PROGRAMME Emotional/Behavioural Difficulties and Special Educational Needs Statutory Child WelfareServices Educational Welfare Officer School Psychological Services Personal tutor

Request for the research : aims and objectives Statutory Child Welfare System Child Care Act 1991 Children Act 2001 Educational (Welfare) Act 2000 Social Work in Schools School in which study undertaken 499 pupils aged 12 – 18 years Mixed gender and multi-cultural

Ethical Issues Key principles – Involvement of the children in the research: children’s voices – Consent and choice – Possible harm or distress – Privacy and confidentiality

Consents Required School Principal Board of Governors of School Teachers Parents: opt in/opt out Pupils

Methodology Scoping exercise with teachers – Information on 499 students Semi-structured questionnaire – Junior Cohort: 31 boys and 31 girls average age 14 years – Senior Cohort: 17 boys and 33 girls literacy problems

Self Esteem: Behavioural Problems: Bereavement

Problems with Attendance and Bullying

Crime and Poverty

Abuse and Self Harm

Serious Physical and Mental Illness

Substance Abuse and Drug Misuse

The Family Environment

FAMLY ISSUES 17% Experienced family breakdown 8% dysfunctional 8% alcohol abuse in family 2% drug misuse within family 6% families with serious physical or mental illness 9 children in foster care 4 children acting as carers

Multiple Issues of Concern

Conclusions Students avoided care team within the school Students preferred to talk to non-professionals outside the school Lack of clear communication of role and purpose Lack of trust – teacher/counsellor role incompatible? Attitudes to Authority Outcome: recommendation for a school counsellor Importance of listening to children Need to progress with Focus Groups : listen to children