Equity of access: a case study investigation of the provision of guidance counselling in one rural post primary school in the West of Ireland

The aim of this study was to explore the provision of the guidance counselling service in a rural post primary school in west Ireland. Similar studies have been completed pertaining the delivery of Guidance from a Whole School Approach post removal of the ex-quota guidance counsellor in the 2012 Budget by Hearne et al. (2016, 2017) and Hearne and Galvin (2014). This study focuses on a gap in research pertaining the accessibility of guidance counselling services in smaller rural schools. The research design employed a case study and a mixed methods approach. Students in the case study school completed an online survey capturing their perception of accessibility of the guidance counselling service. Secondly, teaching staff, school management and the guidance counsellor were interviewed which captured data on the delivery of the guidance counselling service in the school. The key findings from this research study relate to the accessibility of the guidance counselling services in the case study school and the delivery of a Whole School Approach. Barriers were also identified which prevent students’ access to the guidance counselling services. This research study can contribute to policy and practice for guidance counselling. It emphasises that the removal of the ex-quota guidance counsellor in the 2012 budget has reduced smaller rural post primary schools’ ability to provide an accessible service for all students. It stresses the reasons why students in rural Ireland need greater access to guidance counselling services. This research study concludes recognising that students benefit greatly from accessing guidance counselling services, yet barriers exist, especially a lack of time, hindering student access. While the Department of Education and Skills (2012) promote working from a Whole School Approach, there is no formal structure representing this in the case study school. Guidance counselling services in the case study school are not accessible for all students and primarily focussed at the Leaving Certificate student’s needs.