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School counsellor Abigail Allison supports the emotional wellbeing of students at Le Rocquier School, working closely with families, staff and partner agencies to help young Islanders navigate the challenges of adolescence.
Abigail Allison is the school counsellor at Le Rocquier School, working within Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES) as part of the Educational Psychology Department. Her role focuses on supporting students’ social, emotional and mental health needs so they can engage fully with school life.
Stepping into this role holds special significance for Abigail, as Le Rocquier is the school she attended as a student. “Returning to my former school in a professional capacity brings a real sense of purpose,” she says. “It’s a privilege to support young people in the same environment where I was once supported.”
A varied role in a busy school community
Although Abigail’s week is structured around counselling appointments, no two days are ever the same. Supporting a community of almost 900 teenagers means unpredictability is part of daily life. “Working with young people means you can’t always predict what the day will bring,” she explains. “That variety is one of the most rewarding aspects of the job.”
Her role centres on providing structured therapeutic support through evidence‑based, age‑appropriate approaches. Through one‑to‑one and small group sessions, Abigail helps students understand their emotions, develop emotional literacy and learn healthy coping strategies, while also building communication skills, self‑esteem and self‑confidence.
“A big part of the work is helping students put language to how they’re feeling,” she says. “When young people understand themselves better, they’re often more able to manage challenges and ask for support.”
Alongside planned sessions, Abigail supports students during moments of crisis or heightened distress in school, working closely with colleagues in the Safeguarding and Welfare team to ensure students’ emotional and physical safety is prioritised.
Supporting wellbeing beyond the classroom
Abigail’s role extends beyond working directly with students. She works closely with parents and carers to strengthen relationships, improve communication and support families through challenging periods. “For counselling to be most effective, the impact needs to extend beyond school,” she explains.
Le Rocquier has also introduced a staff‑based counselling service, ensuring colleagues have access to mental health support within their workplace and reinforcing the importance of staff wellbeing.
A personal understanding of impact
Abigail brings a personal perspective to her work. As a secondary school student, she accessed counselling during a difficult period. “Having someone who listened with empathy and reassurance completely changed how I saw myself and how I engaged with the world,” she says.
Years later, that same counsellor became her tutor and coach at the Tara Centre during her professional training. Now, Abigail finds herself in that very role at the school she once attended. “It’s full‑circle experience,” she reflects. “It highlights how powerful the right support at the right time can be.”
A journey into public service
After leaving Jersey for university, Abigail spent much of her twenties travelling before returning to the Island in 2018 and working across charities and organisations in the private mental health sector.
She retrained as a counsellor through the Tara Centre in Jersey, qualifying with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Bringing therapeutic work into an educational setting within public service felt like a natural progression. “Education plays such a vital role in young people’s lives,” she says.
Learning, collaboration and challenge
Since joining Le Rocquier School, Abigail has accessed a range of professional development opportunities, including specialist neurodiversity training and safeguarding courses. This learning supports inclusive practice and strengthens how students are protected and supported.
Recognising that no two children respond to experiences in the same way is a key challenge. Close collaboration with partners such as CAMHS, the Children and Families Hub, the Youth Service and Barnardo’s helps ensure the right support is in place at the right time.
Recognition for outstanding service
Abigail’s impact has also been formally recognised across the public service. She was awarded the Public Service Award in the Customer Service Excellence category.
In her nomination, it was highlighted how Abigail has transformed the school’s counselling offer in less than a year, describing her as “a true gem for our school.” Also praising Abigail’s ability to create a safe, nurturing environment for students, while also extending support to families and introducing counselling provision for staff.
The nomination recognised Abigail’s ambition for every young person she supports, regardless of how challenging their journey may be.
What makes the role rewarding
For Abigail, the most rewarding part of her work is ensuring young people feel seen, ;safe and heard. “Seeing students overcome challenges and grow in confidence is incredibly fulfilling,” she says.
She also supports students during wider school activities such as the Island Walk, Sports Day, Duke of Edinburgh challenges and school trips. “Watching young people step out of their comfort zones and recognise their potential is when you really see the impact,” she adds.
Advice for future public servants
Reflecting on her role, Abigail shares a clear message: “This is our community. What we invest in now will shape the next generation, and that investment truly matters.”
