Presentation to the Oireachtas Committee on Education January 29 th 2009

1. Presentation to the Oireachtas Committee on Education January 29th 2009

2. Welcome • Welcome and introductions • Purpose of this session • Jake Walsh • Deirdre Mullen • Gavin Cawley • Mary Golden

3. What is a Comhairle na nÓg? • Local Youth Councils • Funded • Role • Ideal • Current position

4. What is Dáil na nÓg? • national youth parliament • 12 – 18 years • Funding • National Youth Council of Ireland, Foróige and Youth Work Ireland work with the OMCYA in organising Dáil na nÓg • 200 delegates

5. What is the Dáil na nÓg Council? • 34 Comhairlí na nÓgs • Each elects one delegate to Dáil na nÓg Council • Role of the council • The issues discussed at Dáil na nÓg 2008 were: • Teen Mental Health • Education Reform • The Council meets once a month • Two groups • Mental health • Education

6. Dáil na nÓg 2008 Education recommendations • Language subjects should be more relevant to everyday life. Pre Exam years should take part in mandatory gaeleacht and Foreign trips • More focus on the oral aspect and culture in the teaching of all languages • All teachers must receive training in guidance counselling and communications • Externally examined continuous assessment should make up 60% of final Leaving Cert result • Life skill subjects should be available and recognised in the Leaving Cert.

7. Dáil na nÓg 2008 Education recommendations (6-10) 6. Need for continuous assessment to motivate students 7. Individual career guidance should be improved in all schools 8. Points should be awarded for foundation level subjects 9. Government needs to set a standard for sporting facilities in schools with joint funding 10. Accessible, professionally staffed and affordable physical activity centres to be provided for community

8. Top 3 Dáil na nÓg recommendations Education • Language subjects should be more relevant to everyday life. Pre Exam years should take part in mandatory Gaeltacht and foreign trips • More focus on the oral aspect and culture in the teaching of all languages • All teachers must receive training in guidance counselling and communications

9. Statements on guidance counselling • All teachers must receive training in guidance counselling and communications • Individual career guidance should be improved in all schools • Obligatory visits to school guidance counsellors by students to remove the stigma and encourage mental health services (From Mental Health Group)

10. Education cutbacks • During previous recession, governments invested in education • Meant that young people were better prepared to participate in growing economy • Make Ireland competitive

11. Our Research • Met with Institute of Guidance Counsellors • Met with guidance counsellors in our schools • Research reports • Spoke to our peers

12. Students’ Perceptions • 92% of students in one class were unaware that guidance counsellors offered services outside educational and career guidance • 7% of students were not aware of the basic role of the guidance counsellor • 38% said that they were unaware of anywhere they could go within the education system with a personal problem • 11% of 6th year students have never met with their guidance counsellor

13. Students’ perceptions • Survey is only from one school but the opinion is common to all schools • We ourselves had much misinformation before being part of this group and doing research

14. What we found out • Full role of guidance counsellor 3 main areas • Personal and Social • Education • Career

15. What we found out • Each school should have a school guidance plan • Students should have a say into the development of this plan • When there are inspections, schools get at least 2 weeks notice. • How career guidance is funded – allocation of hours depending on size of school.

17. Our concerns/issues • Appropriate supports and policies are not always in place • Not enough information for students on purpose and value of guidance counselling • Lack of confidence in guidance counsellors • Not enough time and resources to build relationships with the students

18. Concerns/issues • Guidance counsellors not sufficiently trained • Guidance counsellors are not always available • It is seen as a service not a ‘right’ • Varying standards across schools. • Guidance counsellors should be well connected with services in the area

19. Recommendations • All teachers must receive training in guidance counselling and communications • Individual career guidance should be improved in all schools • Obligatory visits to school guidance counsellors by students to remove the stigma and encourage positive mental health • More flexible service – to cater for individual need

20. Recommendations • Don’t make cutbacks – need it more now • Develop and enforce standards 7. Involve young people in the development of the standards 8. Develop mechanisms for involving young people to advise on an on going basis 9. Meaningful involvement of young people in developing school guidance plan

21. Recommendations 10. Re examine current system of funding. Guidance counsellor should be dedicated to that only – not a teacher also 11. All students should have a minimum of guidance counselling hours allocated to them – importance of prevention and early detection of issues of concern.

22. Our workplan • Our main aims/actions are: • Develop a leaflet/poster for students to inform them of the range of services • Put information on DNN website for young people in relation to guidance counselling • Lobbying of relevant individuals and policy makers in relation to the issue

23. Minister Andrews met us • Barry Andrews TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs met us • He listened to our priorities • He told us about his work • He promised to support us in our work and to meet us again later in the year

24. In closing… • Students clearly need more information and access to guidance counselling • Role of guidance in promoting positive mental health • Need for increased role for young people in this area • Thanks for your time. • This is important to us – we hope it’s important to you too!