1. Dr. Valerie Richardson School of Applied Social Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin 4 Ireland valerie.richardson@ucd.ie

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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

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

9. 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

10. Self Esteem: Behavioural Problems: Bereavement

11. Problems with Attendance and Bullying

12. Crime and Poverty

13. Abuse and Self Harm

14. Serious Physical and Mental Illness

15. Substance Abuse and Drug Misuse

16. The Family Environment

17. 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

18. Multiple Issues of Concern

23. 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