AQW 10843/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 25/04/2024
Answered On Date: 01/05/2024
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for his assessment of the impact of the withdrawal of the Barnardo’s NI Time 4 Me Primary School Counselling service.

Answer:

I understand Barnardo’s decision to end their Time 4 Me primary counselling service was due to financial pressures within their organisation.

While schools have the autonomy to procure counselling or other therapeutic supports from within their existing budgets, there is no central funded service for primary school counselling services. I am fully aware that the challenging financial context across the education system means that budgets and investments are severely constrained.