Counselling children in Years 1-8: Scoping primary school counselling in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

In July 2020, due to the effects of Covid-19, the Government made funding available for counselling in primary schools. Counselling in Primary Schools is not common in Aotearoa. Where this exists it is usually through community organisations as a funded service (e.g. by MSD or ACC for specific projects such as family violence prevention) or MoH (Mana Ake). There are a few schools that employ counsellors. This study explores examples of where and how counselling has been offered in primary schools. It documents that experience and provides data to argue for further expansion of counselling services in primary schools.