School-based counselling operating toolkit

This Toolkit is a joint publication between the Welsh Assembly Government and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Its primary purpose was to provide a resource to build upon the National Strategy for School Based Counselling in Wales and includes standards, guidance and exemplar materials for counsellors and counselling services in Wales to enable counselling providers and schools deliver services that are safe, accessible and of a high standard.

However, we believe that its content can inform practice across the UK and beyond and as such want to make it accessible to many. The Toolkit documentation is available to download in English and Welsh. There is also an exceptional DVD "Masks and Mirrors" (again bi-lingual) which tells the (fictional) stories of 4 young people and their experience of school counselling. We recommend this to you as a training tool, an awareness raising resource, and as a vehicle to inform about the use and benefits of school counselling.

To download the PDF or watch the video please click here

CCYP Conference 2009/10 'Working at the edge: Who's risking what?'

CCYP’s  2009/10 conferences will explore the complex circumstances faced by a therapist when encountering risk in its many forms. They will take the form of 2 one day conferences at venues in London and Scotland.

Please click here to view full details of the conference

Counselling for Children and Young People (CCYP), formerly CIE (Counselling in Education), is a Division of the BACP.

Our vision

CCYP will be the central organisation for enabling children and young people to have access to counselling as their rightful entitlement. We will create a climate where CCYP will be recognised as the authoritative body on counselling for children and young people.

Our objectives are to

• Take a leading role in the development of counselling for children and young people.
• Support individuals and organisations in the development of quality counselling services for children and young people.
• Act as an expert consultative group for counselling with children and young people.
• Be the "voice" of counselling for children and young people.
• Offer professional support to member of CCYP.
• Promote psychotherapist working with children and young people.
• To increase political awareness around the need for counselling children and young people.
• Promote and access research into counselling with children and young people.

Executive Committee Members

A warm welcome to all visitors our our website. Please see details of CCYP executive members and BACP staff who are contactable through BACP.

More general CCYP enquiries should be directed to Julie Camfield, Divisional Administrator, at julie.camfield@bacp.co.uk

CCYP Executive Members

Dr Kathryn Hunt - Chair Kathryn has been a Primary Deputy Head Teacher, Local Education Authority Early Years Co-ordinator, University Lecturer in Counselling teaching both Masters and research counselling students and currently a Lecturer in Education with counselling research students at Durham University. I also have experience of teaching counselling and play therapy in Kenya, East Africa, Australia and New Zealand. I am both a professionally accredited counsellor/psychotherapist with British Association Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and a British Association Play Therapy (BAPT) recognised play therapist.
Ann Beynon - Deputy Chair Ann is a senior accredited counsellor and a supervisor.Over the past 30 years she has worked with children and young people in secondary schools and young people’s counselling and information services. As an advisory teacher for guidance and counselling she created and researched a model of support for teachers which she is currently developing as a professional service in education. Ann has been involved in the work of the division since its inception in 1976 and is keen to be part of its ongoing development.
Karen Cromarty - BACP Senior Advisor Karen joined BACP in April 2007 as Lead Advisor for Children and Young People. This role involves influencing policy and strategy internally and externally to ensure that the counselling children and young people profession is fit for the future. With much experience in schools' counselling, Karen is working at all levels within BACP to inform and advise individuals and departments on the current position and future direction of children and young people's counselling. Karen also works nationally, building and consolidating professional relationships with other stakeholders who have experience and relevance to the profession. As a previous Chair of CCYP, Karen is enjoying working with the current Executive as they support the membership with events, publications, research and strategic consultations.
Kathy Bell Miss Bell was seconded from her role as an Advisor in Pupil Emotional Health and Wellbeing within the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) to the department of Education in October 2006 to become Regional Coordinator for the Independent Counselling Service for Schools (ICSS). This role in SELB included responsibility for quality assuring the service delivery and the school counselling within the Board area. Prior to working with the SELB Miss Bell was the NSPCC School Teams Manager in Northern Ireland with responsibility for setting up, developing and implementing school counselling across all educational sectors within and throughout Northern Ireland.
Penny Leake - Executive Member Penny is BACP accredited as both Counsellor and Supervisor. She has been counselling since 1980, and has worked with children and young people since 1992. Areas of work and interest have included substance misuse, sexual abuse, bereavement and work with looked after children. Since 1996 she has specialised in the supervision of counselling work with both adults and children, including play therapy. She strongly believes that workers have to feel well supported themselves if they are to support others. Penny spent nearly ten years managing children's therapeutic services in the North-East, first in the statutory and then the voluntary sector, whilst still keeping up her freelance practice. She now works entirely freelance as a supervisor and counsellor. Penny has a severe visual impairment, and takes a lead on Diversity issues on the CCYP Executive.
Heidi Boyson - Executive Member Heidi is a qualified Counsellor, Play Therapist and Teacher. Here London-based practice focuses on work with children and families who have experienced loss and trauma.  She also advises organizations and families on SEN issues, including behaviour support and regularly supervises Play Therapy colleagues and students.
Billie Clare Roberts - Executive Member Billie Clare Roberts has 24 years experience and is a qualified B.A.C.P. accredited practitioner. She currently works for Safe Speak a voluntary organisation part of Relate Derby, working in 3 secondary schools. She is a qualified supervisor and presently supervises youth counsellors for a voluntary organisation. She is an experienced youth practitioner, trainer, and manager. She has worked in both rural and urban settings. Billie Clare Roberts
Sally Ingram - Executive Member Sally Ingram is the Director of Student Counselling at the University of Durham; she is a qualified, supervisor, adult, child and adolescent counsellor. She has a special interest in the transition from school to further and higher education and is keen to develop strategies that enable children to be emotional robust enough to have a positive experience in further and higher education. Former deputy chair and journal editor for CCYP she has returned to the CCYP committee after a two year sabbatical.
Sue Pattison - Executive Member Sue is Director of the Integrated PhD in Education and Communication at Newcastle University and a BACP Accredited Counsellor. She teaches and researches counselling internationally, with a special interest in children and young people and is a founder member of the Counselling in Schools Research Consortium and an executive member of the Counselling Children and Young People division of BACP. Sue is in practice as a counsellor, supervisor and trainer.
Maggie Robson - Executive Member Maggie is a Senior Lecturer at Keele University and is Director of the Counselling Psychology Programme. She is a qualified and experienced Counselling Psychologist and Play Therapist and jointly ran a play therapy service for bereaved children. She also has experience of training play therapists in the UK, US and Kenya and has also trained Play Therapy Supervisors.