Bridge School service

Bridge School service image Bridge has an active and expanding schools service across the Basildon area. As of December, 2009 we work in 20 schools in Basildon and Wickford. Funding for the service comes from a variety of sources; some schools are self-funding, some have their service funded by the Local Education Authority, and others are accessed through various Local Delivery Groups.

Bridge provides a professional service, accredited by the BACP. All of our school counsellors are fully qualified Children’s Counsellors or Art Psychotherapists and are accredited or working towards accreditation with the relevant professional bodies. All counsellors and staff hold enhanced CRB disclosures, follow WHCM Confidentiality Policy and will work within your school’s Child Protection Policy.

Our relationship has, therefore, been a win-win situation for our children and their families. In short, working with Bridge has had a significant impact on the emotional and social development of our pupils and their families.
Head, Wickford Junior School

How counselling can help a school and children

  • As counselling is a targeted service, the school will be empowered in making the decision about who is referred into the service
  • As the counselling is provided on-site at the school and is free of cost to families themselves, it provides a reliable, convenient and consistent source of support to children struggling with emotional and/or behavioural issues who may not be able to access counselling elsewhere.
  • As well as delivering counselling to individual children, the counsellor will convene review meetings with named members of staff at least once a term. They will also liaise with external agencies, if necessary.
  • Counselling provides invaluable, specialised support to a child or young person who may be struggling to cope in the school environment, thereby providing improved social and emotional outcomes for individual pupils and in doing so facilitating the creation of a learning environment within the whole class.

In our experience children with the following issues can benefit from counselling;

  • When parents are going through divorce or separation and the child is showing changes in behaviour or indications of distress
  • If there are known relationships issues/problems in the family
  • If there is a death of someone in the family or network
  • Where there is known or there are suspicions of abuse and/or domestic violence
  • Where there are difficulties with friendships, bullying or teasing
  • When a child is new to a school or having difficulties settling into a new class
  • Where there are health or disability issues for the child and/or family

Frequently Asked Questions for Parents

Frequently Asked Questions for School Staff

How can I find out more or book an appointment?

If you are a parent and would like to ask for your child to receive counselling in school, please speak to your child’s teacher or contact the Head so they can refer your enquiry to our contact at the school.

If you are a Head Teacher in state or independent sectors, and wanting to explore whether school counselling can support the well being of your pupils, we would be happy to meet with you to discuss enlisting our services.

To find out more about this service please contact Chris Felicien or Stephanie Kellington on 01268 822 800

Read below to find out how our service benefited Briscoe Primary School! 

We have been fortunate enough to have had a Bridge Counsellor working with us at Briscoe Primary School for the past two years. This has enabled us, as a school, to offer high quality, regular counselling to several of our pupils who have really benefited.

Having a counsellor in school has made communication so much easier. Members of staff are able to share their concerns with the counsellor and receive instant feedback. This is seldom the case with services offered outside of school.
Diane Pilgrim
Headteacher, Briscoe Primary School