Unit information: Counselling Learners with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs in 2016/17

Unit name	Counselling Learners with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs
Unit code	EDUCM0061
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Mrs. Knowler
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Education
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit considers the impact of Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs for learners and provides the opportunity to critically evaluate established frameworks and practices that inform the use of counselling skills in Education contexts.

The unit will consider a selection of topics related to the education of learners experiencing Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties, chosen in consultation with students attending the unit. These topics could include: bullying; difficulties with learning; impact of assessment; behaviour and discipline; bereavement; coping with transition and major life changes; vulnerability arising from abuse or neglect; self-harm; anxiety and depression; eating disorders and substance abuse. The selected topics will be considered from the perspectives of the person seeking help and their families, teachers and other professionals.

The aims of this unit are to:

• Develop a theoretical understanding of potential issues that may be brought by young people seeking help in educational settings;
• Examine and evaluate theoretical differences in counselling skills frameworks;
• Critically analyse the implications for theory and practice for professionals using counselling skills;
• Draw on students’ own life experience and of others known to them to deepen their understanding of the potential impact of using counselling skills with learners with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs;
• Formulate appropriate strategies for helping by use of counselling skills that take account of the individual needs, cultural norms and the educational setting.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students will demonstrate that they:

1. Have a critical knowledge of and the ability to evaluate appropriate approaches to issues presented by young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs asking for help in educational settings;
2. Can critically justify different approaches to offering help or use of counselling skills when working with learners with SEMH needs;
3. Understand the implications of life story and personal experience for offering help to young people given the impact of SEMH needs on school experiences;
4. Can demonstrate and apply their learning related to different approaches for someone with specified issues for which help is being sought.

Teaching Information

A variety of approaches to learning and teaching will be used including: tutor input, small group discussion, experiential work, case studies, student led seminars and presentations, the use of audio visual materials.

Assessment Information

Formative assessment (ILO1, ILO2, ILO3):

Students will be required, usually working collaboratively in small groups, to make a presentation to class about a selected issue and its implications for learners with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. The presentation will not be summatively assessed but will be discussed in class; formative feedback will be offered. Undertaking this exercise and carrying out the necessary research for the presentation is required as preparation for the assessed submission.

Summative assessment (ILO1-4):

The summative assessment will be based on an assignment of the equivalent of 4000 words about a selected issue that demonstrates a critical ability to understand and apply relevant literature; select an appropriate intervention in support learners with SEMH needs; and to appreciate the challenges of implementation for professionals using counselling skills

Reading and References

• Geldard, K. and Geldard, D (2014) Counselling Adolescents. (4^th Ed) London, Sage
• Geldard, K. and Geldard, D (2013) Counselling Children: a practical Introduction. (4th Ed) London, Sage
• Hornby, G., Hall, C. & Hall, E. (Eds.) (2003) Counselling Pupils in Schools: skills and strategies for teachers. London, Routledge/Falmer
• Humphrey, N. (2014) Social and Emotional Learning: a critical appraisal Sage: London
• Sederholm, G. H. (2003) Counselling Young People in School. London, Jessica Kingsley