10989 Student Handbook 06 - ACS International Schools

Student Welfare
Personal Counselling Services
A school counsellor is available to assist students in each division. Counsellors provide a
diverse range of services. In particular, the counselling programme is designed to address
issues of adjustment that occur as a result of moving to new countries and schools.
If individual counselling is desirable, a student may be referred in several ways. Teachers, as
well as parents, may suggest that a student see the counsellor. Parents may make referrals
over the phone or by appointment. A student may ask to see the counsellor by filling in a
student referral form. All referrals are treated confidentially.
Once a referral is made, a student will be seen for an initial assessment, and additional visits
will be scheduled as needed. Parents may be contacted if the child needs additional
counselling. Normally, the school is only able to provide six individual sessions. The focus of
all counselling sessions is on problem solving and skill building. At times, the counsellor may
suggest that parents seek further assistance outside of school. In these cases, names of
counselling agencies or organisations can be provided.
Counsellors and medical officers must advise students that they may not always be able to
keep information provided to them confidential. Such officers may respect the
confidentiality of information unless it is necessary to stop unlawful activity or prevent
harm to the student or others. Such circumstances override the obligations of
confidentiality.
Child Protection
The school takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of
children and to promote work with other agencies to ensure adequate arrangements within
the school to identify, assess and support children who are suffering harm. ACS Hillingdon
will follow the child protection procedures published by our local county council. The school
must make a referral of any allegation to the child protection unit. The school will then be
advised of the procedures to follow. This is an independent analysis and the school does not
control the time frame. .
The school community will:
• Establish and maintain an ethos where children feel secure and are encouraged to talk
and are always listened to
• Ensure that all students know there is an adult in the school who they can approach if
they are worried or in difficulty
• Include in the curriculum opportunities for children to develop skills that will keep them
safe and from harm.
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