Coláiste Bhaile Chláir offers both Career Guidance and Wellbeing Support to students. Students can avail of confidential one-to-one appointments for wellbeing support and counselling.
The Wellbeing approach is based on the Continuum of Support model, which provides a framework for schools to identify and respond to students’ needs in a flexible way. This process is also supported through engagement with external professionals, as required.
The Wellbeing / Guidance Team addresses the emotional needs that young people can have in response to experiences such as family breakdown, bereavement, loss, family and peer relationship difficulties, anxiety and bullying. The team also supports staff and parents in addressing these concerns.
Appointments will be confirmed by email — please check regularly. We aim to respond within 24–48 hours, though there may be delays during busy periods. For an urgent wellbeing query, please ring the school and ask for the Principal or Deputy Principal.
Students can self-refer or refer a peer they are concerned about by emailing a member of the Wellbeing Team, dropping into the Pastoral Care Support Office, or checking in with their Caomhnóirí during their weekly SPHE class.
Parents can make referrals by contacting a member of the Wellbeing Team and requesting that their child be seen. The most suitable first contact is the child’s Caomhnóirí. The team works in close collaboration with parents throughout the process.
The Wellbeing / Guidance Team at Coláiste Bhaile Chláir is led by an Assistant Principal with responsibility for Wellbeing (Ms Hanley), who facilitates a number of programmes for students — including the Anti-Bullying Ambassador Programme, Student Council, TY Leadership/Mentor Programme, and Wellbeing Student Ambassadors.
The guidance counsellor, psychotherapist and pastoral care team offer support to students presenting with mild to moderate levels of emotional distress. For students with moderate to severe needs, the team provides assessments, recommendations, and referrals to appropriate external agencies.
The Department of Education and Skills also provides Psychologists to the school. Access is administered through the Wellbeing Team and parental consent is required for students under 18 years of age.
The Caomhnóirí link with their group on a weekly basis, creating a relationship and rapport with students and providing an opportunity to address any issues they may be having. The Caomhnóirí role follows best practice from research by UCD (2012) in the My World Survey National Study of Youth Mental Health, which highlighted having one good adult as a strong protective factor for mental health.
Coláiste Bhaile Chláir is part of the One Good School Initiative. Jigsaw’s One Good School is a comprehensive initiative which supports the mental health and wellbeing of young people, and those around them, by developing a shared responsibility for mental health across the whole-school community.
