Flexible Framework Refresh - Counselling in Schools

ESPD 4C2

Counsellors/Counselling:

The counselling support provided should conform to agreed professional standards, such as those provided by COSCA and BACP (or

equivalent), and current best practice for school based counselling, specifically in respect of counsellors qualifications, supervision policy,

child protection policies and continuous professional development and learning.

Counsellors can be qualified in other therapies but must be competent to practice with children and young people they must be qualified in counselling and registered with BACP/COSCA (or equivalent).

All counsellors are expected to have supervision in line with their professional body’s recommendations.

To provide us with the confidence that the supplier can deliver the requirements of the contract, the following financial indicators will be

used based on your last 2 years audited accounts:

ESPD 4B.6/4B.6.1

To provide us with the confidence that the Provider can deliver the requirements of the contract, the following financial indicators will be

used based on your last 2 years audited accounts:

Tenderers will be required to provide/state the value(s) for the following financial ratio(s):

• Net profit for both financial years; if there has been a loss in any one year the tenderer must provide an explanation of the specific

circumstances leading to the loss.

• Current ratio equal to or greater than one in both financial years. Reasons for not meeting the required test to be disclosed by tenderers

together with appropriate supporting evidence to confirm the suitability of the tenderer for the contract.

• Positive Gearing Ratio for both financial years. i.e. an excess of shareholders funds/partners' capital accounts/owners equity over loan

finance in both of the financial years. Reasons for not meeting the required test to be disclosed by tenderers together with appropriate

supporting evidence to confirm the suitability of the tenderer for the contract.

• Positive shareholders funds/positive partners’ capital accounts/positive owners equity (whichever is applicable to the type of business) in

both of the financial years.

• Unqualified audit report (if an audit is required).

The …

ESPD 4C.1.2

Scottish Government publication, “Guidance for Education Authorities Establishing Access to Counselling in Secondary Schools” which

was published in March 2020

“The counselling service is a universally accessible service and should be available to all secondary school pupils and primary, ASN school

pupils aged 10 and over.”

“Formal counselling should be undertaken by a professional counsellor, acting in their specialist role, and in accordance with a strict code

of ethics, which requires confidentially, accountability and clinical supervision.”

Qualified Counsellors:

Formal counselling follows the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapy (BACP) definition of counselling which is: ‘a

professional activity delivered by qualified practitioners in schools. Counsellors offer troubled and/or distressed children and young people

an opportunity to talk about their difficulties, within a relationship of agreed confidentiality.’

• Counsellors can be qualified in other therapies but must be competent to practice with children and young people they must be qualified in counselling and registered with BACP/COSCA (or equivalent).

All counsellors are expected to have supervision in line with their professional body’s recommendations.

Counselling organisations do not need to be registered – it is individual counsellors that need the appropriate accreditation and qualifications.

• The postholders will be PVG Scheme checked