CHILDREN + YOUNG PEOPLE
Counselling for children and young people
The Spark is the largest provider of school-based counselling and one-to-one counselling for children and young people in Scotland.
Local authorities, schools and families across the country look to The Spark as a trusted partner delivering counselling for children, young people and in-school counselling services. Our award-winning services support children, young people and their families cope with the challenges of growing up.
Established in 1965, The Spark’s team of professionally-accredited children and young people counsellors are highly experienced in supporting children struggling with anxiety, relationships, low self-esteem, bereavement, bullying, self-harm or parental separation/divorce.
Children and Young People’s counselling
Find out more about counselling services for children and young people from The Spark by using the links below:
- Counselling for children (ages 8 to 11)
- Youth counselling (ages 12 and over)
- In-school counselling services
- Post-school and youth counselling in employment.
In-school counselling services Scotland
Working directly with schools and local authorities, our in-school counselling services help to develop self-awareness and support the emotional, behavioural, mental and social health and wellbeing of pupils.
The Spark’s local council partners include Glasgow, Aberdeenshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Inverclyde, West Dunbartonshire and East Dunbartonshire.
School-based counselling services are provided by age-group category. Use the links below to find out more:
Quick links:
- Early intervention methodology
- Raising attainment
- Improving Scotland’s education prospects
- Protecting the rights of children
- The Spark’s counselling track record in schools.
Early intervention
Scotland aims to provide children and young people with the Best Start in Life.
The Spark’s support helps them to cope when life, family, friends or school experiences become challenging. Ultimately our work helps children and young people develop essential resilience skills.
The Spark’s Children and Young People mission
Working with children and young people our mission is to help participants become:
- Successful learners
- Confident individuals
- Responsible citizens
- Effective contributors to society.
Raising Attainment amongst Children and Young People
The support we deliver directly contributes to the Scottish Government’s Raising Attainment strategy and Getting It Right for Every Child.
By providing support to children and young people we can help create the best conditions for them to realise their potential.
The Spark provides school-based counselling for children experiencing particular difficulties and problems. This includes art therapy and therapeutic play.
Our work incorporates Primary School, Secondary School and Post-School settings offering a range of universal group Education Programmes.
To find out more, contact the CYP Team via the online enquiry form.
Improving Scotland’s prospects
The Spark’s school-based counselling programmes are making a real difference in Scotland. Supported by a number of funding partners, we are actively changing lives and future prospects.
In delivering services for children and young people The Spark is fully-committed to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The convention sets out the basic rights of every person under the age of 18 and the steps that must be taken by governments, organisations and individuals to uphold those rights. Find out more about the UNCRC with this helpful summary.
Review our case studies and research to see how the CYP Team is improving Scotland’s prospects for Primary, Secondary and Post-School groups.
Protecting the rights of children
In delivering services for children and young people The Spark is fully-committed to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
The convention sets out the basic rights of every person under the age of 18 and the steps that must be taken by governments, organisations and individuals to uphold those rights. Find out more about the UNCRC with this helpful summary.
Our track record with children and young people
The Spark works with education services in a number of Scottish local authority areas each year.
“We have been working with The Spark for a number of years now and during that time many of our children have been able to access specialist support, which we are unable to provide.
The therapists have provided a range of support from counselling to art/play therapy … and have successfully enabled our pupils to explore their feelings and concerns in a supportive and safe environment. Pupils, parents and staff have noted “brighter souls”, upon the conclusion of the sessions.”
Evelyn Gibson, Head Teacher, Saracen Primary School, Glasgow
Many children do not need counselling and are able to resolve emotional difficulties with the help of their family and friends. For some who have challenging difficulties, counselling can offer an important support for the child’s health and wellbeing.
Talk to The Spark about in-school counselling
To find out more about our school-based counselling or to discuss how we can help your children and young people, get in touch with the team.
Please complete the CYP contact form.
