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INSTITUTE OF GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS
NATIONAL AUDIT
OF
GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING PRACTICE
IN SECOND LEVEL SCHOOLS
IN IRELAND
2011 – 2013
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
…………..……………………………………………………………………………… Page
Forward ………………………………………………………………………………. 3-4
Executive Summary …………………………………………………………………. 5-9
Recommendations …………………………………………………………………… 10-11
List of Tables …………………………………………………………………………. 12-13
List of Figures ………………………………………………………………………… 14-15
PHASE 1: Summary of Analyses of Results ………………………………………. 16-18
PHASE 1: Analyses of Results from Total Phase 1 participant schools: ………... 19-34
PHASE 2A: Summary of Analyses of Results …………………………………….. 35-36
PHASE 2A: Analyses of Results from Total Phase 2 participant schools: ……... 37-56
PHASE 2B: Summary of Analyses of Results …………………………………….. 57-59
PHASE 2B: Analysis of Results from Phase 1 & 2 participant schools only: …… 60-81
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
3
Foreword The Institute of Guidance of Guidance Counsellors are pleased to publish the results of the
National Audit which was commissioned by the National Executive last February arising
from the Budget 2012 decision to remove the ex-quota allocation for guidance and
counselling in second level schools and colleges of further education.
The decision to initiate the research stemmed from concerns that many students would not
now receive the essential supports necessary, to allow them to achieve their potential and
progress their educational goals, commensurate with their aptitudes and abilities. The
Institute feared that while all students would be affected by the change, the disadvantaged
and vulnerable students would suffer most. However, we had no hard evidence to
substantiate our fears or concerns, hence the decision to undertake the national audit.
An important part of the audit was to ascertain the evidence in quantitative terms, the amount
of time loss, the areas of guidance and counselling impacted by school type, and the effect of
the change in the allocation on access to one to one counselling. I would like to put on record
our sincere thanks to Sheelagh Beatty, LifeCare Psychological Services Limited, who
undertook the research for the Institute and worked tirelessly to get the results to us as
quickly as possible. I would also like to record our thanks to all who completed the national
audit despite their very busy work schedules.
The audit results reveal a very worrying trend in our schools. Many young people cannot
access the assistance of Guidance Counsellors when they most need them. The audit starkly
shows that there has been a reduction of 51.4% in time for one to one counselling! It also
highlights an overall reduction in the service of 21.4%, with significant variations among
school types, and an increase in academic subject teaching on the part of guidance
counsellors in schools. We clearly now have a very uneven and disjointed service in our
schools and colleges of further education! Students are the real losers - we are witnessing a
major reduction of a core element of the student support services in schools which was
slowly built up over many years.
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
4
Guidance counsellors in schools across the country represent a unique network of skilled
professionals who have direct access to young people to assist them with issues such as
bullying, stress, eating disorders, low self-esteem, etc, and promoting positive mental health.
A lot of counselling work is about stopping potential problems at source. Much of the ‘under
the radar’ work by guidance counsellors in schools is not now taking place, resulting in
unattended problems presenting in a more critical state later, and requiring external resource-
hungry supports, which are already experiencing long delays.
The Institute have indicated that they are willing to engage with Government Departments to
examine how scarce resources can be best utilised for the benefit of all young people in our
care.
Gerry Flynn
President
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Executive Summary This audit into the practice of Guidance & Counselling in second level schools in Ireland was
commissioned by the Institute of Guidance & Counselling (IGC) under the directions of its
National Executive Committee, and carried out by LifeCare Psychological Services Limited
(LifeCare) on their behalf. Here are summarised the aims, background methodology, as well
as the main results of the audit. The recommendations arising from the audit are also set out.
Aims
The audit aimed to explore the structure, scope and changes to the practice of guidance and
counselling by guidance counsellors in second level schools from the 2011-12 academic year
to the 2012-13 academic year. It identified:
1. The demographic structure of the schools, including school type, enrolment figures,
PLC status, and DEIS status;
2. The Department of Education and Skills (DES) allocation of hours by school type and
school status;
3. The actual practice hours by school type and school status;
4. The number of guidance counsellors employed;
5. The number of guidance counsellors practicing;
6. The number of external providers of guidance.
7. The number of external providers of counselling.
8. The proportion of time guidance counsellors devote to classroom guidance delivery
by student year;
9. The proportion of time guidance counsellors devote to counselling by student year,
including one-to-one career/educational counselling, and one-to-one personal and
social counselling;
10. The types of annual activities undertaken by guidance counsellors;
11. Where these annual activities are undertaken, in school time or personal time;
12. Whether hours for guidance and counselling were being provided from the general
school allocation for the academic year 2012-13;
13. Changes to planned service delivery in the academic year 2012-13, against actual
practice in the academic year 2011-12;
14. Whether guidance counsellors were free to attend Supervision on the designated
afternoon, and reasons for non-release.
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Background
The design of the audit was guided firstly by a policy change by the Government that
involved the removal from the September 2012 academic year of the ex-quota allocation for
guidance & counselling granted to second level schools, including colleges of further
education; and secondly, because of the concern of the IGC to the potential serious
consequences of this decision for students in these schools. An important part of the audit
was to ascertain evidence in quantitative terms about the amount of time loss, the areas of
guidance and counselling impacted by school type, and how any loss may have altered how
the role of the guidance counsellor was carried out in terms of the numbers of guidance
counsellors practicing on a daily basis.
Methodology
The aim of the audit is to establish as far as possible the extent of the impact of the removal
of the ex-quota allocation to guidance & counselling. To this end, it was decided to use a
quantitative techniques approach and concepts.
The audit to-date has been carried out in two phases:
1. A nationwide survey of all guidance counsellors in second level schools and
colleges of further education in March 2012 to collect data on actual guidance
and counselling practice during the 2011-12 academic year;
2. A nationwide survey of all guidance counsellors in second level schools and
colleges of further education in October 2012 to collect data on scheduled
guidance and counselling practice for the 2012-13 academic year.
The questionnaires collected information on school type and status, enrolment, number of
qualified and practicing guidance counsellors, DES allocation and actual practice hours,
classroom delivery of guidance, subject teaching, SPHE, and other teaching by student year,
one-to-one career/educational and personal/social counselling, the use of external providers
of guidance and counselling, types of annual activities undertaken by guidance counsellors
and where they are carried out, and hours lost as a result of the ex-quota allocation.
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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The rate of response to Phase 1 was 36.4%. The rate of response to Phase 2 was 37.9%. Of
those schools that responded to Phase 2, 88.2% had also responded to Phase 1. Given the
representativeness of the respondents and the demands and constraints placed on guidance
counsellors, these rates were considered satisfactory.
Results of the Audit
The full results of the audit are set out in three separate sections of the main Results Report:
1. Phase 1 (271 participant schools; 444 Guidance Counsellors);
2. Phase 2 (282 participant schools; 438 Guidance Counsellors);
3. Phases 1 & 2 (240 participant schools common to both Phases; 378 Guidance
Counsellors).
Here are highlighted some of the particularly important and concerning findings, based on
analyses of actual data from all participant schools. The audits found that 237 of the 240
participant schools were allocated hours from the general schools allocation for the delivery
of the guidance and counselling service for the academic year 2012-13. When analysed, it
was evident that the allocation was down 26.67% on the DES 2011-12 allocation hours; and
down 21.4% on actual practice hours 2011-12, which were already down 6.64% on the DES
allocation hours. When this loss was interrogated, it was found that there was an overall
19.8% increase in timetabled classroom delivery of guidance, and a catastrophic 51.4%
reduction in one-to-one career/educational and personal and social counselling.
When looked at in terms of which school types suffered most in terms of scheduled practice
hours for the academic year 2012-13 over actual practice hours 2011-12, it was evident that
Vocational/Community schools lost 30.6%, Voluntary Secondary schools lost 21.2%,
Community/Comprehensive schools lost 20%, Colleges of Further Education 15.6% and Fee-
Paying schools 12.1%.
Guidance counsellors were asked to submit a breakdown of how their 2012-13 allocated
hours would be spent. Results of analyses found that 28.3% would be spent on timetabled
classroom delivery of guidance, 29.3% on one-to-one counselling, 6.5% on group work, and
35.9% on other work. It was also reported that classroom delivery of guidance represented
only 53.2% of the guidance counsellors’ timetabled teaching, with subject teaching
representing 28.9%, SPHE representing 12.0%, and other teaching representing 5.9%.
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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It has emerged from the audits that not only are all qualified guidance counsellors in schools
not practicing guidance and counselling, of greater concern is that a substantial number of
schools are using unqualified staff to deliver the service. Even more concerning is that
external providers of both guidance and counselling are being recruited and paid by schools
in a substantial number of cases. Of the 378 qualified guidance counsellors employed, only
326 or 88.6% were practicing on a daily basis. In addition, 32 schools (13.3%) were using 49
unqualified staff, which represented 13.1% of all those delivering guidance and counselling.
It should be noted that these unqualified staff are highly unlikely to have any specialist
training in guidance and counselling, or would not have access to counselling supervision
which is of critical important to those conducting counselling. There was clear evidence,
however, of the recognition of the benefits and importance of counselling supervision, which
is funded by the DES. When qualified practicing guidance counsellors were asked if they
were free to attend scheduled counselling supervision on the designated afternoon, 18.8%
reported that they were not because 60.5% were subject teaching, 30.2% were guidance
teaching, and 9.3% were involved in another school-based activity. When brought to the
attention of the school Principals, the substantial majority were released to attend.
In addition, 21 schools (8.75%) reported using external providers for the delivery of
guidance; while 70 schools (29.2%) reported using seventeen different external providers for
Counselling. Of the 21 schools providing external guidance, 18 reported that these providers
were paid for their services, of which 38.1% were retired guidance counsellors. Of the 70
schools providing external Counselling, 70% of the hours worked were paid. Counsellors,
Counsellors with SCP, therapists, and psychologists were the main providers employed by 41
schools (58.6%), and paid by 31 schools.
It is evident that the use of external providers for counselling is ad-hoc in nature, and it
appears that schools are placed in the position that they will recruit both paid and voluntary
providers, wherever they can be sourced, in order to deliver a counselling service. While it
is acknowledged on behalf of the schools that this solution to the now evident gap (down
51.4%) in the provision of service is with the best intent, however, in the absence of an
overarching quality system to determine the qualification of service providers, their service
standard, and their Garda Clearance levels, the use of this method is high risk for students and
needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Guidance counsellors were asked to report how much time they spent on activities such as
administration, collaborating internally and externally, open days, testing, meeting with
parents, Continuing Professional Development, Supervision, etc. in the 2011-12 academic
year. When analysed, it was evident that this equated to just over 10 hours per week. When
asked where the above activities were carried out, respondents reported that less than half
(45.9%) were completed within school time only/mostly, resulting in a substantial
contribution of their personal time, to complete these activities. This time would be at their
own expense, with no formal recognition in terms of salary or time in lieu by their school
management. Given the loss of 26.7% in hours allocated to guidance and counselling in the
2012-13 academic year, a major question-mark exists as to how this aspect of the role of the
guidance counsellor will be carried out.
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Recommendations
1. That the Minister reviews the current guidance counselling provision in schools
as indicated by the figure revealed in the audit; and services to students and
schools most in need must be prioritised.
The uneven and disjointed service provision revealed in the audit demonstrates that
the vulnerable and disadvantaged students are hurt most by the cuts. This has major
implications for stated Government commitment to reduce social and economic
inequality and promote social inclusion.
2. That the Minister affirms the statutory commitment to the holistic model of
delivery.
Students having access to educational, vocational and personal counselling reduces
any possible stigma associated with meeting the Guidance Counsellor about mental
health issues (c.f Guidelines for second level schools on the implications of Section
9(c) of the Education Act, 1998 relating to students access to appropriate guidance,
p.4).
3. Ensure access as envisaged under Section 9 (c) of the Education Act, 1998.
“Counselling is a key part of the school guidance programme … Counselling in
schools may include personal counselling, educational counselling, career counselling
or combinations of these”. The effect on students presenting with personal issues is
immediate; the effects on educational and career planning is progressive and
developmental.
4. That the time lost to Guidance Counsellors, since the cutbacks, for the practice of
one-to-one counselling be restored; and that the DES take cognisance of the NCGE
2011 recommendation “That the DES maintain and strengthen the guidance
counsellors’ practice of counselling through additional supports such as reducing the
ratio of students to guidance counsellor, providing regular supervision and CPD and
acknowledging and formally rewarding the additional training”.
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Supervision of counselling practice is a necessity, on a number of counts: for safe,
ethical quality counselling practice, and for ensuring the health and safety of
students. Counselling supervision is also an essential safeguard against possible legal
action being brought against the DES, school management, and practitioners.
5. That the services of in-school qualified Guidance Counsellors be fully utilised to
maintain and strengthen guidance counselling practice; and that the DES discontinue
the current practice by schools of using external counselling providers for guidance
counselling, while relocating those professionally qualified guidance counsellors who
are already in situ (in house) into subject teaching.
6. There needs to be clear agreement on minimum levels of service provision in
schools and colleges of further education between the DES, Management Bodies,
and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.
We believe that the relevant DES circular needs to be strengthened to address the
inequalities in service provision and to ensure that there is equality of access and
opportunity for all students. We are concerned about the trend on the part of some
schools to source funding from some external sources and query whether this is in
conformity with good strategic planning.
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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LIST OF TABLES Table 1.1: Phase 1: Participant Schools in Each Phase of the Audit ………………… 11
Table 1.2: Phase 1: Participant Schools by Location ……………………………….. 11
Table 1:3 Phase 1: Schools by School Type ………………………………………… 12
Table 1.4: Phase 1: Schools with PLC Status ………………………………………... 13
Table 1.5: Phase 1: Schools with DEIS Status ………………………………………. 13
Table 1.6: Phase 1: Status of Qualified GC Staff in Schools ……………………….. 14
Table 1.7: Phase 1: Status of Unqualified GC Staff in Schools ……………………… 14
Table 1.8: Phase 1: Status of Practicing Qualified & Unqualified GC Staff ………… 14
Table 1.9: Phase 1: Department of Education (DES) Allocation …………………….. 16
Table 1.10: Phase 1: Timetabled GC Classes by Student Year ………………………… 18
Table 1.11: Phase 1: One-To-One: Career/Educational Meeting per Year ……………. 20
Table 1.12: Phase 1: One-To-One: Personal Counselling Meeting per Year ………….. 22
Table 1.13: Phase 1: Breakdown of Types of Annual GC Activities .……….…………. 24
Table 1.14: Phase 1: Where GC Activities are Carried Out ……………………………. 25
Table 1.15: Phase 2A: Participant Schools in Each Phase of the Audit .……………….. 29
Table 1.16: Phase 2A: Participant Schools by Location ……………….…………….… 29
Table 1.17: Phase 2A: Schools by School Type ………………………….………….…. 30
Table 1.18: Phase 2A: Participant Schools with PLC Status …………….………….…. 31
Table 1.19: Phase 2A: Participant Schools with DEIS Status …………….……….…… 31
Table 1.20: Phase 2A: Schools Providing G & C Service 2012-2-13 …….……….…… 32
Table 1.21: Phase 2A: Breakdown of Weekly GC Allocated Hours 2012-2013…..…… 32
Table 1.22: Phase 2A: Breakdown of Weekly Time-Tabled Hours ……………………. 33
Table 1.23: Phase 2A: Breakdown of Weekly Time-Tabled Classes by Student Year … 35
Table 1.24: Phase 2A: Qualified Guidance & Counselling Staff……………………….. 38
Table 1.25: Phase 2A: Status of Qualified GC Staff in Schools………………………… 38
Table 1.26: Phase 2A: Unqualified Practicing Guidance Staff in Schools……………… 39
Table 1.27: Phase 2A: Unqualified Practicing Guidance Hours ..….………………….. 39
Table 1.28: Phase 2B: Profession of Unqualified GC Staff in Schools ……………….. 40
Table 1.29: Phase 2A: External Providers of GUIDANCE in Schools ……………….. 41
Table 1.30: Phase 2A: Profession & Payment Status of External Providers of Guidance . 41
Table 1.31: Phase 2A: External Providers of COUNSELLING in Schools …………….. 42
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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LIST OF TABLES (CONT….)
Table 1.32: Phase 2A: Profession & Payment Status of External Counselling ….……… 42
Table 1.33: Phase 2A: Breakdown of G&C Hours 2011-12 and 2012-13 ……………… 43
Table 1.34: Phase 2A: Analyses of G&C 2011-12 and 2012-13 ……………………….. 44
Table 1.35: Phase 2A: Analyses of GC Lost Hours by School Type …………………. 45
Table 1.36: Phase 2A: Analysis of GC’s Free to Attend Supervision/CPD ……………. 47
Table 1.37: Phase 2A: Analysis of Reasons for GC’s Non-Release …………………… 47
Table 1.38: Phase 2B: Participant Schools in Each Phase of the Audit ….…………….. 52
Table 1.39: Phase 2B: Participant Schools by Location ……………….……………… 52
Table 1.40: Phase 2B: Schools by School Type ….…………………………………….. 53
Table 1.41: Phase 2B: Participant Schools with PLC Status …...……………….……… 54
Table 1.42: Phase 2B: Participant Schools with DEIS Status ….………………………. 54
Table 1.43: Phase 2B: Schools Providing G & C Service 2012-2-13 ….………….….… 55
Table 1.44: Phase 2B: Breakdown of Weekly GC Allocated Hours 2012-2013.…..…… 55
Table 1.45: Phase 2B: Breakdown of Weekly Time-Tabled Hours ………………..…… 56
Table 1.46: Breakdown of Weekly Time-Tabled Classes by Student Year ………..……. 58
Table 1:47: Phase 2B: Comparison of GC Hours 2011-12 and 2012-13………….……. . 61
Table 1.48: Phase 2B: Qualified Guidance & Counselling Staff ………………….……. 62
Table 1.49: Phase 2B: Status of Qualified GC Staff in Schools …………………….….. 62
Table 1.50: Phase 2B: Unqualified Practicing GC Staff in Schools ………….……….. 63
Table 1.51: Phase 2B: Unqualified Practicing Guidance Hours ………..……...………. 63
Table 1.52: Phase 2B: Profession of Unqualified Guidance staff in Schools ………….. 64
Table 1.53: Phase 2B: External Providers of GUIDANCE in Schols …………………. 65
Table 1.54: Phase 2B: Profession & Payment Status of External Providers of Guidance .. 65
Table 1.55: Phase 2B: External Providers of COUNSELLING in Schools ……………. 66
Table 1.56: Phase 2B: Profession & Payment Status of External Counselling ………... 66
Table 1.57: Phase 2B: Analyses of G&C Hours 2011-12 and 2012-13 ……………….. 68
Table 1.58: Phase 2B: Analyses of G&C 2011-12 and 2012-13 .………………………. 69
Table 1.59: Phase 2B: Analyses of GC Lost Hours by School Type ….……………… 70
Table 1.60: Phase 2B: Analysis of GC’s Free to Attend Supervision/CPD. …………… 72
Table 1.61: Phase 2B: Analysis of Reasons for GC’s Non-Release …………………… 72
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1: School Type by Percentage of all Participant Schools …………………….. 13
Figure 1.2: Practicing Qualified & Unqualified GC Staff ……………………………… 15
Figure 1.3: Percentage Breakdown of DES Allocation of GC Hours ………………….. 16
Figure 1.4: Allocated Practice GC Hours 2011-12 …………………………………….. 17
Figure 1.5: Percentage GC Practice Hours v's DES Allocation 2011-12 ………………. 17
Figure 1.6: Weekly Time-Tabled GC Classes ………………………………………….. 18
Figure 1.7: Time-tabled GC Minutes per Class ……………………………………….. 19
Figure 1.8: One-To-One Career/Educational Students Seen …………………………... 20
Figure 1.9: One-To-One Career/Educational Meetings ………………………………... 21
Figure 1.10: One-To-One Career/Educational Minutes per Meeting …………………… 21
Figure 1.11: One-To-One Personal Counselling Students Seen by Student Year ………. 22
Figure 1.12: One-To-One Personal Counselling Meetings by Student Year…………….. 23
Figure 1.13: One-To-One Personal Counselling Minutes per Meeting …………………. 23
Figure 1.14: Annual GC Activities by Hours S.pent ……………………………………. 24
Figure 1.15: Where GC Activities Take Place .…………………………………………. 25
Figure 1.16: Participating School Types by Percentage……….………………………… 31
Figure 1.17: Breakdown of allocated GC Hours 2012-13 …….………………………… 33
Figure 1.18: Breakdown of Weekly Time-Tabled Classes…….………………………… 34
Figure 1.19: Time-tabled Weekly GUIDANCE Classes ……….……………………….. 36
Figure 1.20: Time-tabled Weekly SUBJECT Classes ……………………………...…… 36
Figure 1.21: Time-tabled Weekly SPHE Classes ……………………………………….. 37
Figure 1.22: Time-tabled Weekly OTHER Classes …………………………………….. 37
Figure 1.23: Percentage of Qualified & Unqualified Practicing GC’s ………….………. 39
Figure 1.24: Percentage of Qualified & Unqualified Practicing GC’s ………………….. 43
Figure 1.25: Percentage of GC Hours Lost in 2011-12 …………………………………. 44
Figure 1.26: Percentage of GC Hours Lost in 2011-12 by School Type ………………… 46
Figure 1.27: Participating School Types by Percentage …………………………………. 54
Figure 1.28: Breakdown of GC Hours 2012-13 …………………………………………. 56
Figure 1.29: Breakdown of Weekly Time-Tabled Classes ……………………………… 57
Figure 1.30: Time-tabled Weekly GUIDANCE Classes ………………………………… 59
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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LIST OF FIGURES (CONT…) Figure 1.31: Time-tabled Weekly SUBJECT Classes ………………………………….. 59
Figure 1.32: Time-tabled Weekly SPHE Classes ………………………………………. 60
Figure 1.33: Time-tabled Weekly OTHER Classes ………….…………………………. 60
Figure 1.34: Percentage of Qualified & Unqualified Practicing GC’s …………………. 63
Figure 1.35: G & C Hours 2011-12 and 2012-13 ………………………………………. 68
Figure 1.36: Percentage of GC Hours Lost in 2011-12 ………………………………… 69
Figure 1.37: Percentage of GC Hours Lost in 2011-12 by School Type ……………….. 71
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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PHASE 1:
Summary of Results
Total Respondents to Phase 1
March 2012
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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PHASE 1
Actual Practice 2011-12 Participants: 745 schools were invited to participate in the Audit. 271 schools responded, which equates to a 36.4% response rate. Voluntary schools represented 44.3%, Vocational schools/Community Colleges 26.2%, Community/Comprehensive schools 16.6%, Fee-Paying schools 5.2%, and Other 7.7%. 73 schools had PLC status, and 73 schools had DEIS status. Guidance Counsellors: While 444 Guidance Counsellors (GC) were employed in participating schools, only 409 (92.3%) were practicing Guidance & Counselling (G&C) on a daily basis. Respondents further reported that 56 unqualified staff were delivering G&C during this period, representing 12.04% of total practicing G&C staff. Hours Allocated to G&C by Department of Education (DES): While respondents reported a total DES allocation of just over 7,000 hours for G&C as shown below, actual practice G&C hours were 6.82% lower than the DES allocation.
Category No of Schools Hours Grand Total 271 7002.53
Basic Hours 271 6250.00 GEI Extra Hours 54 423.67 School Extra Hours 47 328.94
Outside Extra Counsellor Hours 56 325.33 Other G&C Activities: Schools were asked how many hours per annum were spent on other activities and the 271 respondents reported the breakdown below, which equates to just over 10 hours per week.
Category Mean Hours Administration/Record Keeping 79.3 Collaborating Internally 51.1 Liaising with parents 41.3 Continuing Professional Development 28.4 Consulting/Networking Externally 28.3 Attending Open Days, etc. 27.7 Teaching SPHE 25.0 Collaborating/Consulting Externally 21.5 Testing (Administration) 20.1 Presenting 15.9 Supervision 14.0 Organising SPHE with others 7.1
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Where Other G&C Activities Take Place: When asked where the above activities were carried out, respondents reported that less than half (45.9%) were completed within school time only, resulting in a substantial contribution of personal time from GC’s to complete activities. School Time Only: 19.6% Mostly School Time: 26.3% Both School & Personal Time: 40.1% Mostly Personal Time: 11.4%
Personal Time Only: 2.7%
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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PHASE 1:
Results of Analyses from Phase 1 Participant Schools
March 2012
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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The presentation of results will follow the same format as that used in the Questionnaires. Results from each phase of the Audit will report separately on their findings as they arise. PHASE 1: 2011-2012 ACTUAL GC PRACTICE 745 second level schools were invited to participate in Phase 1 of the IGC Audit of Guidance & Counselling practice in Ireland. 271 participant schools (36.4%) returned completed questionnaires under Phase 1 of the Audit, which reported data on the actual GC practice for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Table 1.1: Phase 1: Participant Schools in Each Phase of the Audit
Category N N % Response
No. of 2nd Level Schools invited to participate 745
Total Phase 1 respondents 271 36.4%
Details of the location of the 271 participant schools are shown in Table 1.2 below.
Table 1.2: Phase 1: Participant Schools by Location
Participant Schools by Location
County N Percentage
Carlow 4 1.5
Cavan 4 1.5
Clare 8 3.0
Cork 31 11.4
Donegal 10 3.7
Dublin 64 23.6
Galway 16 5.9
Kerry 15 5.5
Kildare 8 3.0
Kilkenny 9 3.3
Laois 3 1.1
Leitrim 1 .4
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Limerick 12 4.4
Longford 3 1.1
Louth 7 2.6
Mayo 12 4.4
Meath 7 2.6
Monaghan 6 2.2
Offaly 8 3.0
Sligo 4 1.5
Tipperary 14 5.2
Waterford 5 1.8
Westmeath 6 2.2
Wexford 8 3.0
Wicklow 6 2.2
Total 271 100.0
The 271 participant schools fell into 10 school types, and are shown in Table 1.3 and Figures 1.1 below: Table 1:3 Phase 1: Schools by School Type
Schools by School Type
School Description N %
Voluntary Secondary School 120 44.28%
Vocational School/Community College 71 26.20%
Community/Comprehensive School 45 16.61%
Fee-Paying Secondary School 14 5.17%
College of Further Education 12 4.43%
Voluntary School + C.F.E 3 1.11%
Vocational School + C.F.E. 3 1.11%
Community College + C.F.E. 1 0.37%
Youthreach 1 0.37%
VTOS/Second Chance 1 0.37%
Total 271 100.0
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Figure 1.1: School Type by Percentage of all Participant Schools Of the 271 participant schools, 73 reported holding PLC status, while 73 further reported holding DEIS status, as shown in Tables 1.4 and 1.5 below: Table 1.4: Phase 1: Schools with PLC Status
PLC Colleges
Category N %
Yes 73 26.9
No 196 72.3
No Response 2 .7
Total 271 100.0 Table 1.5: Phase 1: Schools with DEIS Status
DEIS Status
Category N %
Yes 73 26.9
No 192 70.8
No 3Response 6 2.2
Total 271 100.0
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Of the 271 participant schools, 265 reported employing 444 qualified Guidance & Counselling staff, of which 409 were practicing during the 2011-12 academic year, as per Table 1.6 below. In addition, 263 participant schools reported 56 unqualified staff were practicing as Guidance Counsellors during this same period, representing 12.04% of all staff practicing G & C, as shown in Tables 1.7 and 1.8 below. Table 1.6: Phase 1: Status of Qualified GC Staff in Schools
Qualified GC Staff in Schools
Category Qualified GC Staff Qualified & Practicing GC Staff
% Practicing
GC Staff 444 409 92.3
N 265 265
No Response 6 6
Total 271 271 Table 1.7: Phase 1: Status of Unqualified GC Staff in Schools
Unqualified GC Staff in Schools
Category Unqualified GC Staff
Unqualified & Practicing GC Staff
GC Staff 56 56
N 263 263
No Response 8 8
Total 271 271 Table 1.8: Phase 1: Status of Practicing Qualified & Unqualified GC Staff in Schools
Practicing Qualified & Unqualified GC Staff in Schools
Category Total %
Qualified 409 87.96
Unqualified 56 12.04
Total 465 271
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Of the participant schools who reported qualified (265) and unqualified (263) staff practicing Guidance & Counselling during the 2011-12 academic year, 12.04% of those practicing Guidance & Counselling were unqualified, as shown in Figure 1.2 below.
Figure 1.2: Practicing Qualified & Unqualified GC Staff
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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The 271 participant schools reported DES allocation of Guidance and Counselling hours in accordance with their DEIS status, as shown in Table 1.9 and Figure 1.3 below. In addition, to DES allocated hours, 56 of these participant schools reported utilising external counselling services. Table 1.9: Phase 1: Department of Education (DES) Allocation
DES Allocated GC Hours 2011-12
N Hours Mean Scores
Std. Deviation
Grand Total 271 7002.53 25.8 12.615
Basic Hours 271 6250.00 23.06 10.818
GEI Extra Hours 54 423.67 7.85 4.716
School Extra Hours 47 328.94 7.00 6.408
Outside Extra Counsellor Hours 56 325.33 5.81 4.464
Figure 1.2: Percentage Breakdown of DES Allocation of GC Hours
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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The 271 participant schools reported practice hours which were 477.36 hours (6.82%) below the DES allocation, as shown in Figures 1.4 and 1.5 below.
Figure 1.4: Allocated Practice GC Hours 2011-12
Figure 1.5: Percentage GC Practice Hours v's DES Allocation 2011-12
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Of the 271 participant schools, a maximum of 216 submitted data on the number of GC classes by student year, and their length in minutes, as shown in Table 1.10 and Figures 1.6 and 1.7 below; while 55 participant schools (20.3%) did not.
Table 1.10: Phase 1: Timetabled GC Classes by Student Year
Timetabled GC Classes per Week
Category N
Mean Number of
Classes S.D.
Mean Minutes
per Meeting S.D.
Year 1 30 1.5667 1.52414 32.66 15.805
Year 2 24 1.2083 1.14129 30.29 18.417
Year 3 38 1.885 1.56117 33.26 13.966
Year 4 182 2.7106 3.25898 38.76 5.759
Year 5 196 2.8438 1.87698 38.43 5.453
Year 6 216 3.369 2.20077 39.26 4.111
Figure 1.6: Weekly Time-Tabled GC Classes
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Figure 1.7: Timetabled GC Minutes per Class
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Of the 271 participant schools, a maximum of 246 submitted data on the number of one-to-one career/educational meetings by student year, number of students seen, and their length in minutes, as shown in Table 1.11 and Figures 1.8, 1.9 and 1.10 below; while 25 participant schools (9.2%) did not.
Table 1.11: Phase 1: One-To-One: Career/Educational Meeting per Year
One-to-One: Career/Educational Meetings per Year
Category N
Mean Students
Seen S.D.
Mean Meetings
per Student S.D.
Mean Minutes
per Meeting S.D.
Year 1 175 35.44 42.170 1.7160 2.32413 33.34 10.286
Year 2 140 15.84 22.499 2.1282 2.77743 36.12 8.123
Year 3 217 44.92 46.486 2.1202 4.54272 33.43 9.570
Year 4 195 32.00 27.500 1.7989 5.41681 33.06 9.625
Year 5 225 48.20 67.767 1.5974 2.13188 36.23 8.095
Year 6 246 56.85 50.538 3.3539 10.55607 37.82 6.877
Figure 1.8: One-To-One Career/Educational Students Seen
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Figure 1.9: One-To-One Career/Educational Meetings
Figure 1.10: One-To-One Career/Educational Minutes per Meeting
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Of the 271 participant schools, a maximum of 236 submitted data on the number of one-to-one career/educational meetings, number of students seen, and their length in minutes, by student year, as shown in Table 1.12 and Figures 1.11, 1.12 and 1.13 below; while 35 participant schools (12.9%) did not.
Table 1.12: Phase 1: One-To-One: Personal Counselling Meeting per Year
One-to-One: Personal Counselling Meetings per Year
Category N
Mean Students
Seen S.D.
Mean Meetings per
Student S.D.
Mean Minutes
per Meeting S.D.
Year 1 210 13.37 16.216 4.1533 5.159 37.40 7.085
Year 2 205 12.21 13.518 4.2153 3.461 37.63 7.216
Year 3 210 12.06 15.023 4.4685 3.492 37.83 6.260
Year 4 156 6.120 6.653 3.7553 3.541 38.54 5.336
Year 5 226 10.61 9.496 4.1888 3.184 38.27 6.098
Year 6 236 15.10 18.013 5.0480 4.748 38.79 6.349
Figure 1.11: One-To-One Personal Counselling Students Seen by Student Year
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Figure 1.12: One-To-One Personal Counselling Meetings by Student Year
Figure 1.13: One-To-One Personal Counselling Minutes per Meeting
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Of the 271 participant schools, a maximum of 254 (93.7%) reported data on their annual GC activities, as shown in Table 1.13 below. Table 1.13: Phase 1: Breakdown of Types of Annual GC Activities
Types of GC Activities per Year
Category N Hours Mean Scores S.D.
Consulting/Networking Externally 254 7187.50 28.30 33.221
Collaborating/Consulting Externally 246 5293.50 21.52 30.761
Collaborating Internally 251 12815.67 51.06 56.438
Attending Open Days, etc. 254 7032.83 27.69 20.285
Continuing Professional Development 245 6959.00 28.40 26.762
Testing (Administration) 249 5014.30 20.14 22.728
Liaising with parents 252 10397.00 41.26 46.513
Presenting 251 3983.67 15.87 30.002
Administration/Record Keeping 248 19669.00 79.31 93.228
Amt. of hours Supervision 250 3488.00 13.95 12.565
Organising/Planning SPHE with others 200 1419.75 7.10 16.631
Teaching SPHE 170 4242.66 24.96 41.765
Figure 1.14: Annual GC Activities by Hours Spent
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Of the 271 participant schools, 261 (96.3%) reported data on the location where various GC activities were carried out, as per Table 1.14 and Figure 1.15 below. Table 1.14: Phase 1: Where GC Activities are Carried Out
Where GC Activities are Carried Out
Category N
School time Only
Mostly School time Both
Mostly Personal
Time
Personal time Only
Consult/Network Externally - Further/Higher Education 257 41 92 102 2 1
Collaborative work/Consulting with External Agencies 258 37 98 109 13 1
Collaborative work/meeting with school staff/management 261 65 97 86 13 0
Attendance at Open days, exhibitions 261 58 97 96 10 0
Continuing Professional Development 254 23 43 123 50 15
Testing (Administration) 254 90 52 88 19 5
Liaising with parents; meetings; phone calls 257 28 74 139 14 2
Presentations 256 18 26 60 76 1
Administration/Record Keeping 260 21 49 121 57 1
Supervision 246 90 5 42 21 38
Figure 1.15: Where GC Activities Take Place
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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PHASE 2A:
Summary of Results
Total Respondents to Phase 2
October 2012
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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PHASE 2A
Scheduled Practice 2012-13 Participants: 745 schools were invited to participate in the Audit. 282 schools responded; a 37.9% response rate. Voluntary schools represent 45.0%, Vocational schools/Community Colleges 26.2%, Community/Comprehensive schools 17.4%, Fee-Paying schools 5.3%, and Others 6.1% 67 schools have PLC status, and 72 schools have DEIS status. Guidance Counsellors: While 438 Guidance Counsellors are employed in participating schools, only 376 (85.8%) are practicing G&C on a daily basis. Respondents further reported that 54 unqualified staff are delivering G&C, representing 14.21% of total practicing G&C staff. In addition, 24 schools (8.5%) reported using external providers for Guidance; while 88 schools (31.2%) reported using external providers for Counselling. Of the 24 schools providing external guidance, 18 reported that these providers are paid for their services, of which 45.8% are retired Guidance Counsellors. Of the 88 schools providing external Counselling, 49 reported that these providers are paid for their services. Schools Providing G&C Services in 2012-1 from the General School Allocation Of the 282 participant schools, 278 reported being granted hours from the General School Allocation, 2 reported Concessional hours only, while 2 reported zero allocation. Hours Allocated to G&C Services 2012-13 The hours reported as being allocated to the G&C service is down 26.85% on DES 2011-12 allocated hours; and down 22.05% on actual practice 2011-12, which as previous mentioned was already down 6.15% on the DES allocated hours. Hours Lost by School Type The largest lost is evident in Vocational/Community Colleges, which reports a loss of 30.2%, with Voluntary Schools down 22.2%, Community/Comprehensive schools down 20.2%, Colleges of Further Education down 15.6%, and Fee-Paying schools down 10.7%. How GC’s Spend Their Time While the 282 participating schools report a loss of 26.85% over DES allocation 2011-12, they state that 27.83% of the weekly G&C time is spent in classroom delivery of Guidance; 29.81% on One-to-One work; 6.65% on Group work; and 36.44% on ‘Other’ work. When asked about their total time-tabled hours per week, respondents reported that 53.55% is spent delivering Guidance; 28.72% Subject teaching; 11.96% teaching SPHE; and 5.77% on ‘Other’ teaching.
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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PHASE 2A:
Results of Analyses from Phase 2 Participant Schools
October 2012
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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PHASE 2: 2012-2013 ACTUAL GC PRACTICE
745 second level schools were invited to participate in Phase 2 of the IGC Audit of Guidance & Counselling practice in Ireland. 282 participant schools (37.9%) returned completed questionnaires under Phase 2 of the Audit, which reported data on planned GC practice for the 2012-2013 academic year. Of these 282 participant schools, 240 had participated in both Phases 1 & 2, as shown in Table 1.15 below, representing 85.1% of Phase 2 participants, and 88.6% of Phase 1 participants. This section will report result from the total 282 participant schools who responded to Phase 2 of the Audit.
Table 1.15: Phase 2A: Participant Schools in Each Phase of the Audit
Category N N % Response
No. of 2nd Level Schools invited to participate 745
Total Phase 1 respondents 271 36.4%
Total Phase 2 respondents 282 37.9%
: - Phase 1 & 2 respondents only 240 88.6%
Details of the location of these 282 participant schools are shown in Table 1.16 below. Table 1.16: Phase 2A: Participant Schools by Location
Participant Schools by Location
Category N %
Carlow 4 1.42
Cavan 5 1.77
Clare 6 2.13
Cork 35 12.41
Donegal 12 4.26
Dublin 64 22.7
Galway 17 6.03
Kerry 15 5.32
Kildare 7 2.48
Kilkenny 8 2.84
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Laois 2 .71
Leitrim 1 .35
Limerick 13 4.61
Longford 3 1.06
Louth 8 2.84
Mayo 11 3.90
Meath 9 3.19
Monaghan 6 2.13
Offaly 9 3.19
Sligo 5 1.77
Tipperary 16 5.67
Waterford 4 1.42
Westmeath 4 1.42
Wexford 9 3.19
Wicklow 9 3.19
Total 282 100.00
Of the 282 participant schools, 5 schools were dual type, and are shown in Table 1.17 and Figure 1.16 below. Table 1.17: Phase 2A: Schools by School Type
School by Type
Category N %
Voluntary Secondary School 127 45.0
Vocational School/Community College 74 26.2
Community/Comprehensive School 49 17.4
Fee-Paying Secondary School 15 5.3
College of Further Education 10 3.5
Youthreach 1 .4
VTOS/Second Chance 1 .4
Voluntary Secondary School + CFE 2 .7
Vocational School/Community College + CFE 2 .7
Community/Comprehensive School + CFE 1 .4
Total 282 100.0
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Figure 1.16: Participating School Types by Percentage Of the 282 participant schools, 67 reported holding PLC status, while 72 reported holding DEIS status, as shown in Tables 1.18 and 1.19 below: Table 1.18: Phase 2A: Participant Schools with PLC Status
PLC STATUS
Category N %
Yes 67 23.8
No 214 75.9
No Response 1 0.3
Total 282 100.0 Table 1.19: Phase 2A: Participant Schools with DEIS Status
DEIS STATUS
Category N %
Yes 72 253.5
No 207 73.4
No Response 3 1.1
Total 282 100.0
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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The 278 (98.6%) participant schools reported their individual schools were providing hours for Guidance & Counselling from the general school allocation. 4 participant schools reported no allocation, of which 2 reported concessional hours, and 2 reported no hours (resulting in resignation of 1 GC), as shown in Table 1.20 below. Table 1.20: Phase 2A: Schools Providing G & C Service 2012-2-13
Schools Providing G&C 2012-2013
Category N % Total Hours
Mean Score S.D.
Yes 278 98.6
No 4 1.4
Total 282 100.0 5387.75 19.105 10.206
The 282 participant schools reported the total hours allocated, together with a breakdown of how these hours would be spent, as shown in Table 1.21 and Figure 1.17 below. While the majority of the 282 participant schools were specific about the total GC hours and, to a lesser extent, the portion allocated to classroom delivery, they were much less specific about how the balance would be utilised.
Table 1.21: Phase 2A: Breakdown of Weekly G&C Allocated Hours 2012-2013
Estimated Breakdown Of Allocated GC Hours 2012-13
No. of GC Hours per
week
No. of hours
classroom delivery
No. of hours 1:1 student work
No. of hours group work
No. of other hours
Total Hours 5396.25 1501.78 1608.73 359.00 1966.23
Mean Scores 19.136 5.604 6.235 4.918 7.505
Std. Deviation 10.196 3.285 4.099 4.080 3.960
N 282 268 258 73 262
No Response 0 14 24 209 20
Total 282 282 282 282 282
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Figure 1.17: Breakdown of allocated GC Hours 2012-13
The 282 participant schools reported a breakdown of their time-tabled hours per week, and by student year, as shown in Tables 1.22 and 1.23, and Figures 1.18 to 1.22 below. Table 1.22: Phase 2A: Breakdown of Weekly Time-Tabled Hours.
Breakdown of Time-tabled Hours per Week
Total Hours GC Subject SPHE Other'
Total. Hours 2724.11 1458.88 782.46 325.71 157.06
Mean Scores 9.906 5.4230 5.6700 2.8320 2.7080
Std. Deviation 6.402 3.1780 4.2080 3.1200 3.0530
No. of Schools 275 269 138 115 58
No Response 7 13 144 167 224
N 282 282 282 282 282
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Figure 1.18: Breakdown of Weekly Time-Tabled Classes
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013 Table 1.23: Breakdown of Weekly Time-Tabled Classes by Student Year (excluding Modular)
Weekly Time-Tabled Classes by Student Year (excluding Modular)
Category N GUIDANCE Mean (S.D.) N SUBJECT
Mean (S.D.) N SPHE
Mean (S.D.) N OTHER
Mean (S.D.)
Year 1 26 48 1.85 (1.047) 77 253 3.29 (2.427) 73 156 2.14 (1.653) 17 44 2.59 (1.938)
Year 2 15 36 2.40 (1.404) 55 166 3.02 (2.086) 65 93 1.43 (1.250) 8 22 2.75 (2.659)
Year 3 33 63 1.91 (1.331) 57 164 2.88 (2.204) 68 134 1.77 (1.710) 11 25 2.27 (1.902)
Year 4 164 411 2.51 (1.667) 42 101 2.40 (2.317) 17 31 1.82 (1.015) 18 39 2.17 (1.043)
Year 5 155 412 2.66 (1.696) 45 142 3.16 (2.345) 15 21 1.40 (0.731) 15 32 2.13 (1.506)
Year 5 LCA1 88 109 1.22 (0.589) 19 30 1.58 (0.961) 5 12 2.40 (2.608) 4 5 1.25 (0.500)
Year 5 LCVP 44 77 1.75 (1.203) 24 48 2.04 (1.285) 6 10 1.67 (1.633) 4 17 4.25 (1.708)
Year 6 184 516 2.80 (1.851) 36 107 2.97 (2.286) 13 16 1.23 (0.927) 10 21 2.10 (1.370)
Year 6 LCA2 81 108 1.33 (0.671) 19 32 1.68 (0.946) 4 10 2.50 (3.000) 4 5 1.25 (0.500)
Year 6 LCVP 51 76 1.49 (0.731) 23 48 2.09 (1.474) 5 8 1.60 (1.342) 2 2 1.00 (0.000)
Year 6 PLC 14 47 3.36 (2.872) 12 71 5.92 (5.143) 1 1 1.00 (0.000) 5 79 15.80 (20.0)
Total 1912 1162 492 291
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
Figure 1.19: Time-tabled Weekly GUIDANCE Classes
Figure 1.20: Time-tabled Weekly SUBJECT Classes
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Figure 1.21: Time-tabled Weekly SPHE Classes
Figure 1.22: Time-tabled Weekly OTHER Classes
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Of the 282 participant schools, 276 reported employing 438 qualified Guidance & Counselling staff, of which 376 (85.8%) were practicing during the 2012-13 academic year, as per Tables 1.24 below. They further reported the status of qualified GC’s in these schools, as shown in Table 1.25 below. Table 1.24: Phase 2A: Qualified Guidance & Counselling Staff
Qualified GC Staff in Schools
Category N Total Mean Score S.D.
All Qualified 276 438 1.59 0.755
Practicing Qualified 276 376 1.36 0.626
% Qualified & Practicing 276 85.8% .
No Response 6
Total 282 Table 1.25: Phase 2A: Status of Qualified GC Staff in Schools
GC Entitlement in School
No. of Schools in Total
No. of Schools in Practice
0 2 4
1 145 183
2 101 76
3 22 12
4 5 0
5 1 1
N 276 276
No Response 6 6
Total 282 282
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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The 282 participant schools reported that 54 unqualified staff were practicing as Guidance Counsellors during the 2012-13 academic year, representing 14.2% of all practicing staff, as per Tables 1.26 and 1.27, and Figure 8 below. 9 (16.6%) of these unqualified GC staff are Guidance Counsellors in Training. Table 1.26: Phase 2A: Unqualified Practicing GC Staff in Schools
Unqualified Practicing GC’s
N Schools
Total Unqualified
Staff
Mean Score S.D.
GC’s-in-Training Yes No
1 31 31 7 24
2 6 12 2 10
3 1 3 0 3
4 2 8 0 8
5 0 0 0 0
Total Unqualified 40 54 0.190 0.556 9 45 Table 1.27: Phase 2A: Unqualified Practicing GC Staff in Schools
Total Hours Mean
Score S.D.
Of 54 Unqualified Staff 30 136.48 4.549 5.098
.
Figure 1.23: Percentage of Qualified & Unqualified Practicing GC’s
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Of the 40 schools who reported unqualified in-school staff delivering GC, only 12 reported the professional status of those individuals who were not Guidance Counsellors in Training, as shown in Table 1.28 below. Table 1.28: Phase 2B: Profession of Unqualified GC Staff in Schools
Profession of Unqualified Staff Delivering GC
Category N %
GC in-training 9 16.66%
Chaplin 8 14.84%
NBSS, SPC 2 3.70%
Staff Member 1 1.85%
Counsellor 1 1.85%
Not defined 33 61.10%
Total 54 100.00%
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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In addition, the 282 participant schools reported that 24 (8.5%) were using the services of external individuals to deliver Guidance Services in their schools, as shown in Table 1.29 below. Table 1.29: Phase 2A: External Providers of GUIDANCE in Schools
Schools Using External Providers for Guidance
Category N % Total Hours
Mean Score
S.D.
Yes 24 8.5%
No 258 91.5%
Total 282 100.0
Of N = 24 24 100.00% 172 7.41 5.664 Of the 24 External provides of in-school GC services, almost half are retired GC’s, as shown in Table 1.30 below. . Table 1.30: Phase 2A: Profession & Payment Status of External Providers of Guidance
Profession & Payment Status of External GC Provider
Category No. of Schools
% Paid Hours per
Week
Unpaid Hours per
Week
Retired GC 11 45.83% 9 80 2 19
Counsellor 3 12.50% 2 9 1 2
Chaplin 2 8.33% 2 27
GC's in-training 2 8.33% 2 3
FAS Recruit 1 4.17% 1 11
Psychologist 1 4.17% 1 4
Retired Nun 1 4.17% 1 1
Psychotherapist 1 4.17% 1 3
Study Skills Providers 1 4.17% 1 6
An Organisation 1 4.17% 1 7
Total 24 100% 18 147 6 25
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The 282 participant schools reported that 88 (31.2%) were using the services of external individuals to deliver Counselling Services in their schools, as shown in Table 1.31 below. Table 1.31: Phase 2A: External Providers of COUNSELLING in Schools
Schools Using External Providers for Counselling
Category N % Total Hours
Mean Score
S.D.
Yes 88 31.2 No 194 68.8 Total 282 100.0% Of N = 88 68 76.47% 440 6.470 5.903
Of the 88 External provides of in-school Counselling services, there were 17 different providers; and of those respondents who reported data, 64.47% of the hours worked were paid, as per Table 1.32 below. Table 1.32: Phase 2A: Profession & Payment Status of External Providers of Counselling .
Profession & Payment Status of External Providers of Counselling
Category No. of Schools % Paid
Hours per Week Unpaid
Hours per Week
Counsellor 31 37.80% 23 162 7 32 Psychologist 8 9.76% 5 12 1 Therapist 8 9.76% 7 51 Counsellor with SCP 8 9.76% 8 59 Chaplin 5 6.10% 2 34 3 24 ISPCC 3 3.66% 2 2 JIGSAW 5 6.10% 5 11 Pieta House 2 2.44% 1 15 Teen Focus 2 2.44% 2 3 CIT students 3 3.66% 3 7 Retired Nun 1 1.22% 1 2 CDVEC 1 1.22% 1 3 Home/School Liaison 1 1.22% 1 4 Charity Worker 1 1.22% 1 3 Community Services 1 1.22% 1 16 GC's in-training 1 1.22% 1 Pastoral Outreach 1 1.22% 1 Total 82 100% 49 325 27 115
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A breakdown of the G & C hours for both the 2011-12 and 2013, together with practice hours lost in 2012-13 is shown below in Table 1.33 and Figure 1.24 below. Table 1.33: Phase 2A: Breakdown of G&C Hours 2011-12 and 2012-13
Guidance & Counselling 2011-12 & 2012-13
Category N Total Hours Mean Scores S.D.
Total DES Allocated Hours 2011-2012 282 7267.03 25.7696 12.65863
Total Practice Hours 2011-2012 282 6819.82 24.1838 12.43906
Total Practice Hours 2012-2013 282 5315.65 18.8498 10.28811
Total Practice Hours Lost 2012-2013 282 1504.17 5.3339 6.9634
.
Figure 1.24: Percentage of Qualified & Unqualified Practicing GC’s
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Analyses of the data reported by the 282 participant schools shows a loss of GC practice hours in 2012-13 of 26.85% against DES 2011-12 allocation; and a loss of 22.05% against actual GC practice 2011-12, as shown in Table 1.34 and Figure 1.25 below. Table 1.34: Phase 2A: Analyses of G&C 2011-12 and 2012-13
Percentage Loss of GC Hours
Category
N
Hours
% +/- 2011-12
DES Allocated
Hours
% +/- 2011-12 Actual
Practice Hours
Total DES Allocated Hours 2011-2012
282 7267.03
Total Practice Hours 2011-2012
282 6819.82 -6.15%
Total School Allocation Hours 2012-2013
282 5315.65
- 26.85%
-22.05%
Total Practice Hours Lost 2012-2013
282 1504.17 .
Figure 1.25: Percentage of GC Hours Lost in 2011-12
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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A breakdown of the number of G& C hours lost by school type is shown in Table 1.35 and Figure 1.26 below. Table 1.35: Phase 2A: Analyses of GC Lost Hours by School Type
Analysis of Lost Hours by School Type
Category N
DES alloc. hours 2011-2012
Actual practice
hours 2011-2012
Scheduled practice
hours 2012-2013
Practice hours lost in 2012-2013
% Loss over
2011-12 Alloc.
% Loss over
2011-12 Practice
Voluntary Secondary School 127 3170.73 3020.74 2346.42 674.32 21.18% 22.23%
Voluntary Secondary School + CFE 2 99.00 64.67 59.00 5.67 5.73% 8.77%
Vocational School/ Community College 74 1705.17 1515.20 1057.05 458.15 26.87% 30.24%
Vocational School/ Comm. College +CFE 2 58.00 50.50 26.00 24.50 42.24% 48.51%
Community/Compre- hensive School 49 1531.3 1479.37 1217.35 262.02 19.53% 20.21%
Community/Compre- hensive School +CFE 1 28.00 8.50 17.00 +8.50 -30.4% +100%
Fee-Paying Secondary School 15 358.83 376.84 336.67 40.17 11.19% 10.66%
College of Further Education 10 300.00 286.00 243.50 42.50 14.83% 15.56%
Youthreach 1 8.00 10.00 9.33 0.67 8.38% 6.70%
VTOS/Second Chance 1 8.00 8.00 3.33 4.67 58.38% 58.38%
Total 282 7267.03 6819.82 5315.65 1504.17
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Figure 1.26: Percentage of GC Hours Lost in 2011-12 by School Type
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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Of the 282 participant schools, 54 (19.2%) reported that they were not free to attend Supervision, and the reasons for non-release, on the designated afternoon, as shown in Tables 1.36 and 1.37 below. However, a substantial proportion further reported that, when brought to the attention of the Principal, they were released to attend on that specific occasion. Table 1.36: Phase 2A: Analysis of GC’s Free to Attend Supervision/CPD
GC's Free to Attend Supervision/CPD
Category N %
Yes 227 80.50
No 54 19.10
No response 1 0.40
Total 282 100.0 Table 1.37: Phase 2A: Analysis of Reasons for GC’s Non-Release
Reasons for GC's Non-Release
Category N %
Subject Teaching 31 58.50
Guidance 17 32.07
School-based Activities 5 9.43
Total 53 100.0
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
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PHASE 2B:
Summary of Results
Respondents to Phases 1 & 2 Only
October 2012
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PHASE 2B
Phase 1 & 2 Respondents only Scheduled Practice 2012-13
Participants: 745 second level schools were invited to participate in Phase 2 of the IGC Audit and 282 schools (37.9%) returned completed questionnaires. Of these 282 participant schools, 240 (88.6%) had participated in both Phases 1 & 2. Of these 240 schools, Voluntary schools represent 43.3%, Vocational schools/Community Colleges 27.5%, Community/ Comprehensive schools 17.5%, Fee-Paying schools 5.0%, and Others 6.7%. 62 schools have PLC status, and 60 schools have DEIS status. Guidance Counsellors: While 378 Guidance Counsellors (GC) are employed in participating schools, only 326 (86.2%) are practicing G&C on a daily basis. Respondents further reported that 49 unqualified staff are delivering G&C, representing 13.07% of total practicing G&C staff. In addition, 21 schools (8.75%) reported using external providers for Guidance; while 70 schools (29.2%) reported using external providers for Counselling. Of the 21 schools providing external guidance, 18 reported that these providers are paid for their services, of which 38.1% are retired Guidance Counsellors. Of the 65 schools providing external Counselling, 38 reported that these providers are paid for their services. Schools Providing G&C Services in 2012-1 from the General School Allocation Of the 240 participant schools, 237 reported being granted hours from the General School Allocation, 2 reported Concessional hours only, while 1 reported zero allocation. Hours Allocated to G&C Services 2012-13 The hours reported as being allocated to the G&C service is down 26.67% on DES 2011-12 allocated hours; and down 21.43% on actual practice 2011-12, which are already down 6.64% on the DES allocated hours. Hours Lost by School Type The largest lost is evident in Vocational/Community Colleges, which reported a loss of 30.6%, with Voluntary Schools down 21.2%, Community/Comprehensive schools down 20.0%, Colleges of Further Education down 15.6%, and Fee-Paying schools down 12.1%. How GC’s Spend Their Time While the 240 participating schools reported a loss of 26.67% over DES allocation 2011-12, they further reported that 28.7% of the weekly G&C time is spent in classroom delivery of Guidance; 29.7% on One-to-One work; 6.6% on Group work; and 36.4% on ‘Other’ work.
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When asked about their total time-tabled hours per week, respondents reported that 53.23% is spent delivering Guidance; 28.85% Subject teaching; 12.05% teaching SPHE; and 5.87% ‘Other’ teaching. Comparison of G&C Hours 2011-12 and 2012-13 When the G & C hours reported by the 240 participant schools under Phases 1 & 2 are compared, time-tabled hours have increase by 19.84%, while counselling hours have decreased by 51.41%. Are GC’s Free to Attend Counselling Supervision Of the 240 participant schools, 45 (18.8%) reported that they were not free to attend Supervision on the designated afternoon, and the reasons given for non-release were Subject Teaching (60.5%), delivering classroom Guidance (30.2%), and other school-based activity (9.3%). However, a substantial proportion further reported that when brought to the attention of the Principal, they were released to attend on that specific occasion.
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PHASE 2B:
Results of Analyses from Phase 1 & 2 Participant Schools Only
March & October 2012
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PHASE 2: 2012-2013 ACTUAL GC PRACTICE 745 second level schools were invited to participate in Phase 2 of the IGC Audit of Guidance & Counselling practice in Ireland. 282 participant schools (37.9%) returned completed questionnaires under Phase 2 of the Audit, which reported data on planned GC practice for the 2012-2013 academic year. Of these 282 participant schools, 240 had participated in both Phases 1 & 2, as shown in Table 1.38 below, representing 85.1% of Phase 2 participants, and 88.6% of Phase 1 participants. This section only compares the 240 (88.6%) participant schools who responded in Phase 1 & Phase 2.
Table 1.38: Phase 2B: Participant Schools in Each Phase of the Audit
Category N N % Response
No. of 2nd Level Schools invited to participate 745
Total Phase 1 respondents 271 36.4%
Total Phase 2 respondents 282 37.9%
: - Phase 1 & 2 respondents only 240 88.6%
Details of the location of the 240 participant schools are shown in Table 1.39 below.
Table 1.39: Phase 2B: Participant Schools by Location
School Location
Category N %
Carlow 4 1.7
Cavan 4 1.7
Clare 5 2.1
Cork 30 12.5
Donegal 10 4.2
Dublin 54 22.5
Galway 15 6.3
Kerry 14 5.8
Kildare 7 2.9
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Kilkenny 7 2.9
Laois 2 .8
Leitrim 1 .4
Limerick 10 4.2
Longford 3 1.3
Louth 7 2.9
Mayo 10 4.2
Meath 6 2.5
Monaghan 6 2.5
Offaly 8 3.3
Sligo 4 1.7
Tipperary 13 5.4
Waterford 4 1.7
Westmeath 4 1.7
Wexford 7 2.9
Wicklow 5 2.1
Total 240 100.0
Of the 240 participant schools, 4 schools were dual type, and are shown in Table 1.40 and Figure 1.27 below. Table 1.40: Phase 2B: Schools by School Type
School by Type
Category N %
Voluntary Secondary School 104 43.3
Vocational School/Community College 66 27.5
Community/Comprehensive School 42 17.5
Fee-Paying Secondary School 12 5.0
College of Further Education 10 4.2
Youthreach 1 .4
VTOS/Second Chance 1 .4
Voluntary Secondary School + CFE 2 .8
Vocational School/Community College + CFE 1 .4
Community/Comprehensive School + CFE 1 .4
Total 240 100.0
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Figure 1.27: Participating School Types by Percentage Of the 240 participant schools, 62 reported holding PLC status, while 60 further reported holding DEIS status, as shown in Tables 1.41 and 1.42 below. Table 1.41: Phase 2B: Participant Schools with PLC Status
PLC STATUS
Category N %
Yes 62 25.8
No 177 738
No Response 1 0.4
Total 240 100.0 Table 1.42: Phase 2B: Participant Schools with DEIS Status3
DEIS STATUS
Category N %
Yes 60 25.0
No 177 73.8
No Response 3 1.3
Total 240 100.0
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237 (98.8%) of the 240 participant schools reported their individual schools were providing hours for Guidance & Counselling from the general school allocation. Three participant schools reported no allocation, of which 2 reported concessional hours, and 1 reported no hours, as shown in Table 1.43 below. Table 1.43: Phase 2B: Schools Providing G & C Service 2012-2-13
Schools Providing G&C 2012-2013
Category N % Total Hours
Mean Score S.D.
Yes 237 98.8
No 3 1.2
Total 240 100.0 4625.15 19.2756 10.373
The 240 participant schools reported the total hours allocated, together with an estimated breakdown of how these hours would be spent, as shown in Table 1.44 and Figure 1.28 below. While the majority of the 240 participant schools were specific about the total GC hours and, to a lesser extent, the portion allocated to classroom delivery, they were much less specific about how the balance would be utilised.
Table 1.44: Phase 2B: Breakdown of Weekly GC Allocated Hours 2012-2013
Estimated Breakdown Of Weekly G&C Allocation 2012-13
Total GC Hours
Classroom Delivery
1:1 Student Work
Group Work
‘Other’ Work
Total Hours 4610.42 1304.02 1349.17 301.53 1655.70
Mean Scores 19.210 5.432 6.160 5.199 7.392
Std. Deviation 10.373 3.281 4.377 4.725 6.123
N 240 229 219 58 224
% of Schools 100 95.4% 90.10% 24.16% 93.3%
Total 240 240 240 240 240
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Figure 1.28: Breakdown of GC Hours 2012-13
The 240 participant schools reported a breakdown of their time-tabled hours per week, and by student year, as shown in Tables 1.45 and 1.46, and Figures 1.29 to 1.33 below. Table 1.45: Phase 2B: Breakdown of Weekly Time-Tabled Hours
Breakdown of Weekly Time-Tabled Hours for GC’s
Total Hours GC SUBJECT SPHE OTHER
Total. Hours 2449.77 1304.02 706.76 295.24 143.75
Mean Scores 10.599 5.694 5.889 2.923 2.875
Std. Deviation 6.600 3.281 4.357 3.382 3.252
No. of Schools 232 229 120 101 50
% of Schools 96.6% 95.4% 50.0% 42.1% 20.8%
N 240 240 240 240 240
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Figure 1.29: Breakdown of Weekly Time-Tabled Classes
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013 Table 1.46: Breakdown of Weekly Time-Tabled Classes by Student Year (excluding Modular)
Weekly Time-Tabled Classes by Student Year
Category N GUIDANCE Mean (S.D.) N SUBJECT
Mean (S.D.) N SPHE
Mean (S.D.) N OTHER
Mean (S.D.)
Year 1 21 37 176 (1.044) 69 230 3.33 (2.411) 64 142 2.22 (1.704) 14 39 2.79 (2.082)
Year 2 12 29 2.42 (1.505) 45 135 3.00 (2.143) 54 81 1.50 (1.356) 7 21 3.00 (2.769)
Year 3 27 55 2.22 (1.400) 47 140 2.96 (2.336) 59 121 2.07 (1.804) 9 22 2.44 (2.068)
Year 4 143 369 2.58 (1.667) 35 88 2.51 (2.454) 16 30 1.88 (1.025) 17 37 2.18 (1.074)
Year 5 130 351 2.70 (1.719) 40 125 2.97 (2.209) 12 18 1.50 (0.798) 11 21 1.92 (1.446)
Year 5 LCA1 75 95 1.27 (0.644) 16 27 1.69 (1.014) 5 12 2.40 (2.608) 4 5 1.25 (0.500)
Year 5 LCVP 37 67 1.81 (1.266) 19 41 2.16 (1.385) 4 8 2.00 (2.000) 4 17 4.25 (1.708)
Year 6 158 453 2.87 (1.906) 31 95 3.06 (2.175) 11 14 1.27 (1.009) 9 20 2.22 (1.394)
Year 6 LCA2 65 90 1.38 (0.722) 16 29 1.81 (0.981) 4 10 2.50 (3.000) 2 2 1.00 (0.000)
Year 6 LCVP 43 65 1.51 (0.736) 19 43 2.26 (1.558) 4 7 1.75 (1.500) 1 1 1.00 (0.000)
Year 6 PLC 14 47 3.36 (2.872) 9 57 6.33 (5.050) 1 1 1.00 (0.000) 4 44 11.0(19.34)
Total 1658 1010 444 229
Min. = xxx
Results: IGC Audit of Guidance Counselling Practice, 2011-2013
Figure 1.30: Time-tabled Weekly GUIDANCE Classes
Figure 1.31: Time-tabled Weekly SUBJECT Classes
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Figure 1.32: Time-tabled Weekly SPHE Classes
Figure 1.33: Time-tabled Weekly OTHER Classes
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When the G & C hours reported by the 240 participant schools under Phase 1 and Phase 2 is compared, time-tabled hours increase by 19.84%, while counselling hours decrease by 51.41%, as shown in Table 1.47 below. Table 1:47: Phase 2B: Comparison of G&C Hours 2011-12 and 2012-13
Comparison of GC Weekly Hours -2011-12 & 2012-13
Category N Actual 2011-12
Scheduled 2012-13
% +/-
Time-tabled GC Hours 240 1088.13 1304.02 + 19.84
Total Counselling Hours 240 2776.72 1349.17 - 51.41
- 1:1 Career/Education 240 1713.38
- 1:1 Personal 240 1063.34
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Of the 240 participant schools, 234 reported employing 378 qualified Guidance & Counselling staff, of which 326 (85.8%) were practicing during the 2012-13 academic year, as per Tables 1.48 below. They further reported the status of qualified GC’s in these schools, as shown in Table 1.49 below. Table 1.48: Phase 2B: Qualified Guidance & Counselling Staff
Qualified GC Staff in Schools
Category N Total Mean Score S.D.
All Qualified 234 378 1.62 0.762
Practicing Qualified 234 326 1.39 0.648
% Qualified & Practicing 234 86.2% .
No Response 6
Total 240 Table 1.49: Phase 2B: Status of Qualified GC Staff in Schools
GC Entitlement in Schools
No. of Schools in Total
No. of Schools in Practice
0 2 4
1 117 148
2 90 70
3 20 11
4 4 0
5 1 1
N 234 234
No Response 6 6
Total 240 240
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The 240 participant schools reported that 49 unqualified staff were practicing as Guidance Counsellors during the 2012-13 academic year, representing 13.1% of all practicing staff, as per Tables 1.50 and 1.51, and Figure 1.34 below. 8 (16.3%) of these unqualified GC staff are Guidance Counsellors in Training. Table 1.50: Phase 2B: Unqualified Practicing Guidance Staff in Schools
Unqualified Practicing
GC’s
N Schools
Total Unqualified
Staff
Mean Score S.D.
GC’s-in-Training Yes No
1 26 26 6 20
2 6 12 2 10
3 1 3 0 3
4 2 8 0 8
5 0 0 0 0
Total Unqualified
32 49 0.210 0.588 8 41
Table 1.51: Phase 2B: Unqualified Practicing Guidance Staff Hours
Total Hours Mean
Score S.D.
Of 49 Unqualified Staff 27 128.49 4.759 5.366
.
Figure 1.34: Percentage of Qualified & Unqualified Practicing GC’s
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Of the 40 schools who reported unqualified in-school staff delivering GC, only 12 reported the professional status of those individuals who were not Guidance Counsellors in Training, as shown in Table 1.52 below. Table 1.52: Phase 2B: Profession of Unqualified Guidance Staff in Schools
Profession of Unqualified Staff Delivering GC
Category N %
GC in-training 8 16.33%
Chaplin 8 16.33%
NBSS, SPC 2 4.08%
Staff Member 1 2.04%
Counsellor 1 2.04%
Not defined 29 59.18%
Total 49 100.00%
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In addition, to the above, the 240 participant schools reported that 21 (8.75%) were using the services of external individuals to deliver Guidance Services in their schools, as shown in Table 1.53 below. Table 1.53: Phase 2B: External Providers of GUIDANCE in Schols
Schools Using External Providers for Guidance
Category N % Total Hours
Mean Score
S.D.
Yes 21 8.75%
No 219 91.25%
Total 240 100.0
Of N = 21 20 95.24% 155 7.73 5.629 Of the 21 External provides of in-school GC services, 38.1% are retired GC’s, as shown in Table 1.54 below. . Table 1.54: Phase 2B: Profession & Payment Status of External Providers of Guidance
Profession & Payment Status of External GC Provider
Category No. of Schools
% Paid Hours per
Week
Unpaid Hours per
Week Retired GC 8 38.1 6 64 2 19 Counsellor 3 14.3 2 8 1 2 GC's in-training 2 9.6 2 3 Chaplin 2 9.6 2 27 Study Skills Providers 1 4.7 1 6 Retired Nun 1 4.7 1 1 Psychotherapist 1 4.7 1 3 An Organisation 1 4.7 1 7 FAS Recruit 1 4.7 1 11 Counselling Psychologist 1 4.7 1 4
Total 21 100.0 15 130 6 25
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The 240 participant schools reported that 70 (29.2%) were using the services of external individuals to deliver Counselling Services in their schools, as shown in Table 1.55 below. . Table 1.55: Phase 2B: External Providers of COUNSELLING in Schools
Schools Using External Providers for Counselling
Category N % Total Hours
Mean Score
S.D.
Yes 70 29.2
No 170 70.8
Total 240 100
Of N = 70 54 77.14% 355 6.570 6.139 Of the 70 External provides of in-school Counselling services, there were 17 different providers; and of those respondents who reported data, 62.7% of the hours worked were paid, as per Table 1.56 below. Table 1.56: Phase 2B: Profession & Payment Status of External Providers of Counselling .
Profession & Payment Status of External Providers of Counselling
Category N of Schools % Paid
Hours per
Week Unpaid
Hours per
Week
Counsellor 25 38.5% 18 115 5 27
Counsellor with SCP 6 9.2% 6 34
Psychologist 5 7.7% 2 5 1
Therapist 5 7.7% 5 40
Chaplin 4 6.2% 2 36 1 18
JIGSAW 3 4.6% 3 11
CIT students 3 4.6% 3 7
Pieta House 2 3.1% 1 15
ISPCC 2 3.1% 2
Teen Focus 1 1.5% 1 3
Retired Nun 1 1.5% 1 2
CDVEC 1 1.5% 1 3
Home/School Liaison 1 1.5% 1 4
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Charity Worker 1 1.5% 1 3
Community Services 1 1.5% 1 16
Organisation 1 1.5% 1
GC's in-training 1 1.5% 1 2
Pastoral Outreach Worker 1 1.5% 1
Not identified 1 1.5% 1 9 5
Total 65 100.0% 38 248 21 107
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For the 240 participant schools, a breakdown of the G & C hours for both the 2011-12 and 2012-13, together with practice hours lost in 2012-13 is shown below in Table 1.57 and Figure 1.36 below. Table 1.57: Phase 2B: Analyses of G&C Hours 2011-12 and 2012-13
Guidance & Counselling 2011-12 & 2012-13 Category N Total Hours Mean Scores S.D.
Total DES Allocated Hours 2011-2012 240 6222.03 25.9251 12.71992
Total Practice Hours 2011-2012 240 5808.73 24.2030 12.48023
Total School Practice Hours 2012-2013 240 4563.80 19.0158 10.41346
Total Practice Hours Lost 2012-2013 240 1244.93 5.1872 6.8163
Figure 1.35: G & C Hours 2011-12 and 2012-13
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Analyses of the data reported by the 240 participant schools shows a loss of GC practice hours in 2012-13 of 26.7% against DES 2011-12 allocation; and a loss of 21.4% against actual GC practice 2011-12, as shown in Table 1.58 below and Figure 1.36. Table 1.58: Phase 2B: Analyses of G&C 2011-12 and 2012-13
Percentage Loss of GC Hours
Category N Total Hours
% +/- 2011-12
DES Allocated
Hours
% +/- 2011-12 Actual
Practice Hours
Total DES Allocated Hours 2011-2012 240 6222.03
Total Practice Hours 2011-2012 240 5808.73 -6.64%
Total School Allocation Hours 2012-2013 240 4563.80 -26.67% -21.43%
Total Practice Hours Lost 2012-2013 240 1244.93
Figure 1.36: Percentage of GC Hours Lost in 2011-12
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A breakdown of the number of G & C hours lost by school type is shown in Table 1.59 and Figure 1.37 below. Table 1.59: Phase 2B: Analyses of GC Lost Hours by School Type
Analysis of Lost Hours by School Type
Category N
DES alloc. hours 2011-2012
Actual practice
hours 2011-2012
Scheduled practice
hours 2012-2013
Practice hours lost in 2012-2013
% Loss over
2011-12 Alloc.
% Loss over
2011-12 Practice
Voluntary Secondary
School 104 2659.76 2521.24 1983.41 535.16 20.12% 21.23%
Voluntary Secondary
School + CFE 2 99.00 64.67 59.00 5.67 5.73% 8.77%
Vocational School/ Community College 66 1491.17 1325.78 920.05 405.73 27.21% 30.60%
Vocational School/ Comm. College +CFE 1 14.00 11.00 8.00 3.00 21.43% 27.27%
Community/Compre- hensive School 42 1303.30 1258.37 1043.18 252.19 19.35% 20.04%
Community/Compre- hensive School +CFE 1 28.00 8.50 17.00 -8.50 60.71% +100.0
Fee-Paying Secondary School 12 310.83 315.17 277.00 38.17 12.28% 12.11%
College of Further Education 10 300.00 286.00 243.50 44.50 14.83% 15.56%
Youthreach 1 8.00 10.00 9.33 0.67 8.38% 6.70%
VTOS/Second Chance 1 8.00 8.00 3.33 4.67 58.38% 58.38%
Total 240 6222.06 5808.73 4563.80 1281.26
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Figure 1.37: Percentage of GC Hours Lost in 2011-12 by School Type
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Of the 240 participant schools, 45 (18.8%) reported that they were not free to attend Supervision, and the reasons for non-release, on the designated afternoon, as shown in Tables 1.60 and 1.61 below. However, a substantial proportion further reported that when brought to the attention of the Principal, they were released to attend on that specific occasion. Table 1.60: Phase 2B: Analysis of GC’s Free to Attend Supervision/CPD
GC's Free to Attend Supervision/CPD
Category N %
Yes 194 80.8
No 45 18.8
No response 1 0.4
Total 240 100.0 Table 1.61: Phase 2B: Analysis of Reasons for GC’s Non-Release
Reasons for GC's Non-Release
Category N %
Subject Teaching 26 60.5
Guidance 13 30.2
School-based Activities 4 9.3
Total 43 100.0
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