Ms Rachel O'Connor:

Deputy Ó Cathasaigh is dead right about one good adult. Schools have a certain amount of autonomy under the new continuum of support that we have in schools. We moved to the hour timetable in our school so every member of staff gives 20 minutes back under the special educational needs, SEN, model of continuum of support and delivers the NBSS check and connect programme. That is for the middle students who may fall below our radar. There are 54 students in our school who have one good adult who meets with them regularly for 20 minutes a week in a structured conversation. That has a really powerful impact. An adult like me is a powerful example of where we could take the one good adult model. It is something I will take back to my school and possibly roll out in our tutor time.

On the continuum of support, it needs to be emphasised to school leaders that there is a bit of autonomy in how support is delivered. I echo what was said in terms of the time, space and resources to do that. A positive school culture and school climate inside and outside of staffrooms comes from the top down. If school leaders are not trained in this and do not have the awareness, empathy and resources to filter it down through the troops, it will not happen. If school leaders are cooped up in their offices all day every day doing paperwork and administration, they are far less effective in the corridors where they need to build the relationships that will lead to a more positive school climate.