General Information on the Support Teacher Pilot Scheme
The Teacher/Counsellor Project was initiated in 1995 in a number of schools in the Tallaght/Clondalkin area and in Dublin's North Inner City. Teacher posts were assigned to individual schools or were shared between schools to assist in supporting pupils with very disruptive behaviours. The project was evaluated by the Department's Inspectorate in March, 1998.

As a result of the evaluation the title of the project was changed to the Support Teacher Project and a revised specification for the role of the teachers involved was introduced in January 1999. This was done to reflect, more accurately, the teachers' qualifications and skills in helping children's development. The Support Teachers have a specific role in supporting the development of school policy in relation to children's behaviours and formulating management strategies for the support of children experiencing behavioural difficulties.

Guidance Training Needs of the Teacher Counsellor / Support Teacher Pilot Scheme in Primary Schools (1999)
Those working in the role of support teachers are dealing with pupils confronted by many issues in the home, from general parental apathy, substance abuse, poverty to marital breakdown. Many such pupils then present with feelings of loss and abandonment, difficulties in controlling and expressing feelings especially anger, low self esteem and general lack of social skills. Their educational attainment is also affected due to lack of familial support, lack of motivation, poor attitude, absenteeism and dropout, and consequently a low standard of core literacy and numeracy skills. NCGE undertook a training needs analysis of Support Teachers in 1999. Respondents displayed a clear need for training in specific therapies suitable for young children - play therapy, art therapy, drama therapy, clay therapy and music therapies. As one support teacher commented 'I have tried to read in relation to these areas but feel I would gain from meeting with an experienced practitioner.'

In summary, the main recommendations of the research are:

• training in specific therapies suitable for children;
• a formal induction module for those new to the post;
• training in basic counselling skills, care of self and referral;
• the appointment of a co-ordinator to the scheme to:

  a) represent the support teachers,
  b) organise a programme of inservice training, and
  c) provide general support and back up.

Download the Full Report Here: Guidance Training Needs of the Teacher Counsellor / Support Teacher Pilot Scheme in Primary Schools
For further information, contact info@ncge.ie at NCGE.