Children and Young People’s Counselling Service

The Children and Young People’s Counselling Service offers counselling to support the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people aged four to 19.

Children and young people might show signs they are struggling and need more support including:

• nervousness or anxiety
• difficulty concentrating
• difficultly sleeping
• avoiding school or activities
• feeling low and not good about themselves
• loss of appetite, or sometimes increased appetite
• not wanting to be with friends or family.

Accessing support to explore, manage and understand difficult feelings can be helpful. We offer up to six counselling sessions to help a young person gain understanding and develop strategies to help them feel better. For primary school-aged children, we can offer the child six sessions with a counsellor, or if more appropriate, we can offer parents six weekly online sessions with advice on practical, easy to use strategies to support your child.

What to expect

We offer a safe and confidential space for children and young people to talk about how they feel with a qualified counsellor.

Listening to you and your child’s needs

Parent / carers are given an opportunity to share your thoughts about your child prior to their first assessment session. The counsellor will listen to your child and how they feel, and together agree what they would like to focus on together and how they can support your child. Developing a good understanding and trust between your child and their counsellor is key.

Consent and confidentiality

All children and young people, regardless of age, are asked to consent to their counselling sessions. The counsellor will not share details of the sessions with you as parents / carers, unless there is a safeguarding concern.

Consistency

Your child will be offered a minimum of five appointments after the initial assessment. Sessions usually take place in a clinic. It’s likely your child will need to take time off school to attend appointments and you’ll need to commit to bringing your child to their sessions as arranged. Appointments can only be rearranged in exceptional circumstances. Your child may be discharged from the service if they miss two appointments.

When sessions come to an end

Your child’s counsellor will discuss options for ongoing support if they need this. A discharge letter with details of your child’s progress and any recommendations made, will be sent to your child, you as their parent / carer and your GP.

My child still needs support

We encourage you to support your child to implement and test out the recommended strategies and techniques for three months.  If after this period of time, you and your child feel further support is needed then a new referral can be made via the Kent School Health Team. Contact your GP or local emergency services for immediate support if you feel you’re not able to keep your child safe.

Your child’s counsellor will be happy to answer any other queries you have.

Our team achieved the Royal College of Psychiatry Quality Network for Community CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) Accreditation in 2024. This achievement shows the high standard of care and best practice that our service delivers to children and young people.

The accreditation recognises the excellent care given, with 97 per cent of clients rating the service positively.