APPENDIX 4: ONLINE COUNSELLING PARENT CONSENT FORM

Rational

School counselling online provides an opportunity for students to talk, in confidence, about their thoughts and emotions with a qualified health professional. Counselling is a place of non-judgement, offering support rather than advice. The focus is on finding a way through troubles. Counselling has several benefits, not least to help work through worries and feel connected during times of uncertainty.

Methodology

The counselling team will use a variety of evidence-based talk therapy methods to help students achieve their best academically, socially and emotionally, within their situation. Scheduled sessions are usually individual, lasting between 20 to 40 minutes. Check-ins can be shorter. The Microsoft Teams chat function will be used to conduct the session.

Conduct

Both the counsellor and student are required to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner whilst online. This includes ensuring their environment, clothing, speech and conduct is suitable. The session should be treated in the same manner as a face-to-face meeting.

Counsellors will help educate students on how to participate in the electronic school counselling relationship to minimise potential misunderstandings.

Both parties should be on time for scheduled sessions, no recording or taking photographs is permitted.

Please be aware of ethical and legal considerations of technological applications within the UAE http://ejustice.gov.ae/downloads/latest_laws/cybercrimes_5_2012_en.pdf.

Confidentiality

Counsellors will continue to ensure appropriate and reasonable measures for maintaining confidentiality of student information as well as promote the safe and responsible use of technology in collaboration with students and families.

While the full content of the sessions will not be disclosed, there is an obligation for school counsellors to share relevant information with parents and/or specific staff members where this is in the interests of the child. The student’s consent will usually be sought before a discussion outside of counselling takes place. If a potential risk of harm to the student or someone else is identified within the session, the counsellor will follow the school Safeguarding Policy reporting concerns confidentially to the designated safeguarding lead. Any sharing of information will be done with sensitivity following the appropriate pathways on a need-to-know basis.

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Limitations

Counsellors recognise and mitigate the limitations on confidentiality on virtual school counselling, which may include unintended viewers or recipients. The counsellors will remind students of the need to consider their environment and privacy during an online session.

For security information pertaining to Microsoft Teams, please see information from Microsoft: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/security-complianceoverview.

Counsellors continue to follow the ethical frameworks of their respective regulatory bodies (e.g. British Psychological Society, American School Counsellors Association).

For emergency counselling interventions please visit Al Jalila Hospital or Rashid Hospital.

Name of Student: _______________________________ Date of Birth: ____________

School: _______________________________________Class/Year: _______________

I/We consent to our child meeting the school counsellor to provide support.

I/We understand that the content of the sessions is confidential and will not be shared without consent of the student. Nominal information may be shared with specific staff if collaboration is a necessary part of the support. If information from a session relates to the safety of the student or someone else at risk, then the appropriate person(s) shall be informed in accordance with the school Safeguarding and Counselling Policies.

Parent or Guardian Signature: _____________________________________________________

Parent or Guardian Name: ________________________________________________________

Relationship to child: _____________________________________________________________

Date: __________________________________________________________________________

For questions and queries, please do not hesitate to contact the relevant JESS counsellor:

Secondary: aharris@jess.sch.ae

Arabian Ranches Primary: kgarbutt@jess.sch.ae

Jumeirah Primary: jstrang@jess.sch.ae

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