Item 11 Appendix
West Dunbartonshire Council · 27 November 2024
Back to Educational Services Committee — 27 November 2024 and its agenda
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Assessment No 1062 Owner cdunsmore Resource Transformation Service Education, Learning & Attainment FirstName Surname Job Title Head Officer Claire Cusick Senior Education Officer Members Claire Cusick Senior Education Officer Christina Dunsmore Depute Head Teacher (Please note: the word 'policy' is used as shorthand for strategy policy function or financial decision) Policy Title Scottish Government provision of School Counselling The aim, objective, purpose and intended out come of policy Provide continuity of provision to support pupils Mental Health and Well-being. Service/Partners/Stakeholders/service users involved in the development and/or implementation of policy. Education, HSPC, Procurement, Lifelink, schools, pupils. Does the proposals involve the procurement of any goods or services? Yes If yes please confirm that you have contacted our procurement services to discuss your requirements. Yes SCREENING You must indicate if there is any relevance to the four areas Duty to eliminate discrimination (E), advance equal opportunities (A) or foster good relations (F) Yes Relevance to Human Rights (HR) Yes Relevance to Health Impacts (H) Yes Relevance to Social Economic Impacts (SE) Yes Who will be affected by this policy? Pupils, Parents, School staff Who will be/has been involved in the consultation process? Positive feedback received from High Schools as the impact on the pupils and the working relationship with Lifelink in providing the service. Appendix 1
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Please outline any particular need/barriers which equality groups may have in relation to this policy list evidence you are using to support this and whether there is any negative impact on particular groups. Specific group to consider Needs Evidence Impact Age The Council has to have regard to any different needs and issues that may align with the age of pupils Monitor by age and school stage Positive, monitoring allows us to recognize and address any gaps Disability The Council has a duty has an anticipatory duty to ensure services are access, and also to carry out reasonable adjustments The provider had training for all counsellors and opened to us to train in neurodiversity supports when counselling Positive, monitoring allows us to recognize and address any gaps Gender Reassign Marriage & Civil Partnership Pregnancy & Maternity Race Religion and Belief Sex The Council has to have regard to any different needs and issues that may align with the sex of pupils More girls than boys referring to the service, this is also a national trend Positive, monitoring allows us to recognize and address any gaps Sexual Orientation Human Rights European Convention of Human Rights, UNCRC Rights Service is available to all pupils and protects their right to access support Positive Health Committed to supporting pupils MHWB allowing them to access a fuller life Lifelink has supported WDC pupils well to date, they are in every High school and over holiday periods. Positive Social & Economic Impact Council has due regard to a Fairer Scotland Duty Limited range of suppliers to support children's and young people counselling. Requires counselors to be qualified to support young people Lifelink is based in Glasgow and there is no more local provide for mild to moderate HWB presentations trained to counsel young people
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Cross Cutting Working in partnership with HSCP to provide improved HWB supports Feedback has been positive meeting the wide range of MHWB presentations Positive Not continuing the service would be detrimental to young peoples MHWB WDC report to the Scottish Government on SG funded Counselling services twice a year Actions Policy has a negative impact on an equality group, but is still to be implemented, please provide justification for this. Will the impact of the policy be monitored and reported on an ongoing bases? Termly reports issued from Lifelink with follow up meeting At all times Lifelink can be contacted for any questions arising about the service They provide data for the SG Reporting twice yearly Services are monitoring by sex, age/school stage and now care experience Q7 What is you recommendation for this policy? Intoduce Please provide a meaningful summary of how you have reached the recommendation EIA 1062: details the positive impact of the Lifelink contract in supporting Equalities, Rights and Health. The contract has functioned well over time and a positive working relationship is in place. This has been introduced over the last 5 years and should continue, as it supports the mental health and wellbeing of WDC young people.
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