Abstract
This article will discuss the findings of a single explanatory case study on the model of whole school guidance counselling in the Irish secondary school system, which was carried out during a turbulent period of policy and practice changes in the delivery of guidance counselling services to students from 2012 onwards. Although the case study is positioned within a single voluntary school, the findings may be typical of similar secondary schools settings in Ireland and abroad. Particular focus is given to explicating the key findings of the case study through the specific themes of: concepts of whole school guidance counselling, the Irish integrated model of guidance counselling, stakeholder roles and responsibilities, and the effect of resource re-allocations by policy makers funding guidance school services.
Résumé
“Science du singulier”: Une étude de cas expliquant globalement l’orientation scolaire en Irlande Cet article examinera les résultats de l’étude d’un cas singulier rendant compte du modèle d’orientation dans le système scolaire irlandais, menée au cours d’une période mouvementée de changements de politiques et de pratiques dans les prestations de conseil en orientation dont bénéficient les élèves à partir de 2012. Une attention particulière est accordée à l’explication des principaux résultats de l’étude de cas à travers les thèmes suivants: les conceptions de l’orientation scolaire dans son ensemble, le modèle irlandais intégré de conseil en orientation, les rôles et responsabilités des parties prenantes et l’effet de la réaffectation des ressources par les décideurs qui financent les services d’orientation scolaire.
Zusammenfassung
“Wissenschaft des Einzelfalls”: Eine Einzelfallstudie über die gesamte Berufsberatung in der Schule in Irland In diesem Artikel werden die Ergebnisse einer Fallstudie zum Modell der Berufsberatung in der Schule im irischen Sekundarschulsystem diskutiert, die in einer turbulenten Phase politischer und praktischer Änderungen bei der Bereitstellung der Berufsberatung für Studierende ab 2012 durchgeführt wurde. Ein besonderer Fokus liegt auf der Erläuterung der wichtigsten Ergebnisse der Fallstudie zu den Themen: Vorstellungen über die gesamte Berufsberatung, das integrierte irische Modell der Berufsberatung, die Rollen und Verantwortlichkeiten der Interessengruppen und die Auswirkungen der Umverteilung der Mittel durch die politischen Entscheidungsträger, die die Berufsberatung finanzieren.
Resumen
‘Ciencia de lo singular’: Un caso de estudio único explicativo de orientación escolar integrada en Irlanda Este artículo discute los hallazgos de un único caso de estudio explicativo sobre el modelo de orientación escolar integral en el sistema escolar irlandés de secundaria, que se llevó a cabo durante un período turbulento de cambios en las políticas y prácticas relacionadas con la prestación de servicios de orientación a estudiantes a partir de 2012. Se presta especial atención a la explicación de los resultados clave del estudio de caso a través de los temas de; concepciones de orientación escolar integrada, el modelo integrado irlandés de orientación, los roles y responsabilidades de los agentes implicados y el efecto de la reasignación de recursos por parte de los responsables del diseño de políticas que financian los servicios escolares de orientación.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abma, T. A., & Stake, R. E. (2014). Science of the particular: An advocacy of naturalistic case study in health research. Qualitative Health Research, 28(8), 1150–1161. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732314543196.
Andrews, D. (2011). Careers education in schools. Stafford, UK: Highflyers Publishing.
Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland. (2013). Survey of schools: Impact of cutbacks on secondary schools. Retrieved 1 May 2014 from http://www.asti.ie/publications/other/.
Barnes, A., Bassot, B., & Chant, A. (2011). An introduction to career learning and development 11–19: Perspectives, practice and possibilities. London, UK: Routledge.
Bell, J. (2005). Doing your research project: A guide for first-time researchers in education and social science (4th ed.). London, UK: Open University Press.
Biemer, P. P., & Lyberg, L. E. (2003). Introduction to survey quality. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2012). Thematic analysis. In H. Cooper, P. M. Camic, D. L. Long, A. T. Panter, D. Rindskopf, & K. J. Sher (Eds.), APA handbook of research methods in psychology, research designs. Research designs: Quantitative, qualitative, neuropsychological, and biological (Vol. 2, pp. 57–71). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Bryman, A. (2012). Social research methods. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2003). Business research methods. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2011). Research methods in education (6th ed., pp. 69–83). London, UK: Routledge/Falmer.
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Department of Education. (1992). Education for a changing world: Green paper on education. Dublin, UK: Stationery Office.
Department for Education. (2017). Careers strategy: Making the most of everyone’s skills and talents. Retreived 8 Dec 2017 from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/664319/Careers_strategy.pdf.
Department of Education & Science. (1995). The white paper on education: Charting our education future. Dublin, UK: The Stationery Office.
Department of Education & Science. (2005). Guidelines for second level schools on the implications of Section 9(c) of the Education Act 1998, relating to students’ access to appropriate guidance. Dublin, UK: The Stationery Office.
Department of Education & Science. (2009). Looking at guidance: Teaching and learning in post-primary schools. Retreived from http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Inspection-Reports-Publications/Evaluation-Reports-Guidelines/insp_looking_at_guidance_pdf.
Department of Education & Skills. (2011). Literacy and numeracy for learning and life; The national strategy to improve literacy and numeracy among children and young people 2011-2020. Retrieved 24 Sept 2014 from https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Policy-Reports/lit_num_strategy_full.pdf.
Department of Education & Skills. (2012). Staffing arrangements in post-primary schools for the 2012/2013 school year (Circular 0009/2012). Retrieved 21 May 2012 from http://www.sess.ie/sites/default/files/cl0009_2012.pdf.
Department of Education & Skills. (2013). Wellbeing in post primary schools; Guidelines for mental health promotion and suicide prevention. Retrieved 14 May 2013 from http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/Resources-Guidance/Well-Being-in-Post-Primary-Schools-Guidelines-for-Mental-Health-Promotion-and-Suicide-Prevention-2013.pdf.
Department of Education & Skills. (2017). Main feature of Budget 2018: Department of Education & Skills. Retrieved 16 Dec 2017 from https://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2017-Press-Releases/education-budget-2018-main-features.pdf.
DePoy, E., & Gilson, S. (2008). Evaluation practice: How to do good evaluation research in work settings. New York, NY: Taylor and Francis.
Dowling, S., & Doyle, L. (2017). Responding to self-harm in the school setting: the experience of guidance counsellors and teachers in Ireland. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 45, 583–592. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2016.1164297.
European Lifelong Guidance Policy Network. (2012). Lifelong guidance policy development: A European resource kit. Retrieved 17 Oct 2014 from https://ktl.jyu.fi/img/portal/23229/ELGPN_resource_kit_201112_web.pdf?cs=135064.
Foxx, S. P., Baker, S. B., & Gerler, E. R., Jr. (2017). School counselling in the 21st century (6th ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.
Gatsby Foundation. (2014). Good career guidance. Retrieved 13 Jan 2015 from www.gatsby.org.uk/uploads/education/reports/pdf/gatsby-sirjohn-holman-good-career-guidance-2014.pdf.
Gleeson, J., O’Driscoll, A., Clifford, T., Collison, M., Rooney, S., & Tuohy, A. (2002). School culture and curriculum change: The case of the Leaving Certificate Applied. Irish Education Studies, 21(3), 21–44.
Gleeson, J., & O’Donnabháin, D. (2009). Strategic planning and accountability in Irish Education. Irish Educational Studies, 28, 27–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/03323310802597291.
Goodson, I. (2001). Social histories of educational change. The Journal of Educational Change, 2(1), 45–63.
Government of Ireland (1998). Education Act No. 51. Retrieved 15 Feb 2015 from http://www.oireachtas.it/documents/bills28/acts/1998/a5198.pdf.
Gwartney, P. (2007). The telephone interviewer’s handbook: How to conduct standardised conversations. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Gysbers, N. C., & Henderson, P. (2014). Developing and managing your school guidance program (5th ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
Hayes, C., & Morgan, M. (2011). Research on the practice of counselling by guidance counsellors in post primary schools. Retrieved 19 Feb 2015 from http://www.ncge.ie/uploads/The_Practice_of_Counselling_by_Guidance_Counsellors_in_Post_Primary_Schools.pdf.
Hearne, L. (2009). Towards an understanding of the measurement of individual progression in adult guidance. Unpublished thesis, Waterford Institute of Technology.
Hearne, L., & Galvin, J. (2015). The role of the regular teacher in a whole school approach to guidance counselling in Ireland. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 43, 229–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2014.952622.
Hearne, L., King, P., Kenny, N., & Geary, T. (2016). A case study analysis of a whole school approach to guidance counselling in a voluntary school in the Irish post primary sector. Retrieved 8 Jan 2017 from http://hdl.handle.net/10344/5389.
Hill, M. (2005). Ethical considerations in researching children’s experiences. In S. Green & D. Hogan (Eds.), Researching children’s experiences: Approaches and methods (pp. 61–86). London, UK: Sage.
Hui, E. K. P. (2002). A whole-school approach to guidance: Hong Kong teacher’s perceptions. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 30, 63–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/030698880220106528.
Institute of Guidance Counsellors. (2008). A whole school guidance and counselling service and curriculum: Roles and relationships; A policy paper of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. Retrieved 19 Feb 2015 from http://www.qualifax.ie/attachments/01_SERVICE%20AND%20CURRICULUM%20POLICY.PDF.
Institute of Guidance Counsellors. (2016). National audit of guidance & counselling practice in second level schools in Ireland 2011/12–2015/16. Dublin, UK: Institute of Guidance Counsellors.
Institute of Guidance Counsellors. (2017). Guidance counselling: Core competencies & professional practice. Dublin, UK: Institute of Guidance Counsellors.
Jeffers, G. (2010). The role of school leadership in the implementation of the Transition Year Programme in Ireland. School Leadership & Management, 30(5), 469–486. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2010.513179.
Kazmer, M., & Xie, B. (2008). Qualitative interviewing in internet studies: Playing with the media, playing with the method. Information, Communication & Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691180801946333.
Kennedy, C., Kools, S., & Krueger, R. (2001). Methodological considerations in children’s focus groups. Nursing Research, 50, 184–187.
Krueger, R. A., & Casey, M. A. (2014). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Lam, S., & Hui, E. K. P. (2010). Factors affecting the involvement of teachers in guidance and counselling as a whole-school approach. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 38(2), 219–234. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069881003674962.
Lewis, J., & Ritchie, J. (2003). Generalising from qualitative research. In J. Ritchie & J. Lewis (Eds.), Qualitative research practice A guide for social science students and researchers (pp. 347–366). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
McCoy, S., Smyth, E., Darmody, M., & Dunne, A. (2006). Guidance for all? Guidance provision in second-level schools. Dublin, UK: Liffey Press.
McCoy, S., Smyth, E., Watson, D., & Darmody, M. (2014). Leaving school in Ireland: A longitudinal study of post-school transitions. http://www.esri.ie/UserFiles/publications/RS36.pdf.
McGuinness, S., Bergin, A., Kelly, E., McCoy, S., Smyth, E., & Timoney, K. (2012). A study of future demand for higher education in Ireland: Report to the Higher Education Authority. Dublin, UK: Economic and Social Research Institute.
McLeod, J. (2007). Counselling skill. Maidenhead, UK: Open University Press.
McLeod, J. (2010). Case study research in counselling and psychotherapy. London, UK: Sage.
McLeod, J. (2014). Doing research in counselling and psychotherapy. London, UK: Sage.
Merriam, S. B. (2001). Qualitative research and case study applications in education. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
National Centre for Guidance in Education. (2004). Planning the school guidance programme. Dublin, UK: National Centre for Guidance in Education.
National Centre for Guidance in Education. (2013). Review of guidance counselling provision in second level schools 2012-2013; report of the findings. Retrieved 15 Feb 2015 from http://www.ncge.ie/uploads/Review_of_Guidance_Counselling_provision_in_second_level_schools_2012-2013.FINAL.pdf.
National Council for Curriculum & Assessment. (2007). A curriculum framework for guidance in post-primary education. Retrieved 15 Feb 2015 from http://www.ncca.ie/uploadedfiles/guidance/guidance_En.pdf.
National Council for Curriculum & Assessment. (2017). Guidelines for wellbeing in the Junior Cycle. Retrieved 14 June 2017 from http://www.juniorcycle.ie/NCCA_JuniorCycle/media/NCCA/Curriculum/Wellbeing/Wellbeing-Guidelines-for-Junior-Cycle.pdf.
Perry, J. C. (2009). A combined social action, mixed methods approach to vocational guidance efficacy research. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 9(2), 111–123. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-009-9158-z.
Pryor, R., & Bright, J. (2017). Chaos and constructivism; Counselling for career development in a complex and changing world. In M. McMahon (Ed.), Career counselling; Constructivist approaches (pp. 196–209). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Robson, C. (2002). Real world research: A resource for social scientists and practitioner-researchers (2nd ed.). Oxford, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
Simons, H. (Ed.). (1980). Towards a science of the singular. Norwich: University of East Anglia.
Stake, R. E. (2000). Case studies. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (pp. 20–26). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Stake, R. E. (2004). Standards-based and responsive evaluation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Stake, R. E. (2010). Qualitative research: Studying how things work. New York, NY: Guilford.
Symonds, E. (2011). A practical application of SurveyMonkey as a remote usability testing tool. The Library Hi-Tech, 29(3), 436–445. https://doi.org/10.1108/07378831111174404.
Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (Eds.). (2003). Handbook of mixed methods in the social and behavioral sciences. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Teach First. (2015). Careers education in the classroom: The role of teachers in making young people work ready. Retrieved 18 Sept 2016 from http://www.teachfirst.org.uk/sites/default/files/Careers-in-the-classroom-report.pdf.
Tracey, S. J. (2010). Qualitative quality: Eight “Big-Tent” criteria for excellent qualitative research. Qualitative Inquiry, 16(10), 837–851. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077800410383121.
Vuorinen, R., & Kettunen, J. (2017). The European status for career service provider credentialing: Professionalism in European Union (EU) guidance policies. In H.J. Yoon, B. Hutchinson, M. Maze, C. Pritchard, & A. Reiss (Eds.), International practices of career service, credentialing and training. https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/asset_manager/get_file/156343/chapter_6_the_european_status_for_career_service_provider_credentialing.pdf.
Watkins, C. (1994). Whole-school guidance? British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 22(1), 143–150. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069889408253672.
Williams, M., & Dyer, W. (2009). Single-case probabilities. In D. Byrne, & C. C. Ragin (Eds.), The Sage handbook of case-based methods (pp. 84–100). London, UK: Sage.
Yin, R. K. (2014). Case study research (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Acknowledgements
Funder: Irish Research Council (IRC) Government of Ireland Starter Research Project Grant.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hearne, L., King, P., Geary, T. et al. “Science of the singular”: an explanatory single case study of whole school guidance counselling in Ireland. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 18, 315–335 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-018-9363-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-018-9363-8