Practitioners’ views and experiences of participating in a school counselling evaluation study

Abstract

Introduction: This study documents and describes practitioners’ views and experiences of the process of implementing an ‘impact evaluation’ of the independent school counselling service provided by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) in Northern Ireland. Method: Data was gathered from practitioners (n=18) across the duration of the evaluation process; at the pre, mid and post implementation stages of the evaluation process. Data-gathering methods included consultation focus groups, records of training meetings, minutes of strategic advisory group meetings, a practitioner internet based discussion board and a structured questionnaire. A thematic analysis was carried out using Nvivo software. Results: Practitioner reflections confirmed the evaluation process as challenging yet with considerable benefits for recognition, self-reflection and practice development. Discussion: Recommendations for integrating outcome evaluation within school counselling practice are presented.

Keywords:

• Children and young people
• school counselling
• Northern Ireland
• Process of impact evaluation
• practitioner perspective