Support and costs for students with emotional problems referred to school-based counselling: findings from the ALIGN study. Issue 4 (4th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beecham, Jennifer; Pearce, Peter; Sewell, Ros; Osman, Sarah
• Is Part Of: British journal of guidance & counselling. Volume 47:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 460
• Page End: 471
• Publication Date: 2019-07-04
• Subjects: Cost -- economic evaluation -- counselling in schools -- service use -- quantitative methods -- cost-effectiveness; Educational counseling -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Vocational guidance -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 371.4
• DOI: 10.1080/03069885.2018.1552777
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-9885

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Effectiveness evidence supporting school-based counselling is increasing, yet little is known about its cost-effectiveness. Within an effectiveness trial we tested whether a cost-effectiveness evaluation was feasible and aimed to provide early indications of support and associated costs for students with emotional problems. A service use questionnaire was piloted. School-based services were a key source of support and used by more than half the students at each time point. Support costs were estimated for 63/64 participants using well-established methods and ranged between £0 (no services used) and £3562 per participant over the last school term. We found data collection was feasible and the principles of economic evaluation were appropriate but the small sample means results must be interpreted cautiously.