HUCS Autumn Meeting

Date: 19th November 2025

Time: 2pm-5pm

Venue: Online

Evidencing the Impact of Counselling in Higher Education on Student Retention

Counselling services play a vital role in supporting student wellbeing and success — but how do we evidence their impact on retention in a meaningful and ethical way?

This HUCS Autumn Meeting brings together international and UK partners who are leading the way in data-informed approaches to demonstrating counselling’s value:

  • Dr Lynn Braun from AUCCCD (Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors) will present “Let’s Talk About Retention: Ways Counselling Services Can Prove Their Impact on Student Success,” exploring research and methods for linking counselling use with student persistence while safeguarding confidentiality.
  • Sean O'Connell from PCHEI (Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland) will contribute insights from their national data collection and research into the impact of counselling on student engagement and retention across Irish higher education.
  • The SCORE Consortium (U.K.) will share updates on SEAM-10, CIAO, and UK-wide collaborations to establish a consistent, evidence-based framework for measuring counselling outcomes.

Together, these perspectives will help HUCS members strengthen the evidence base for counselling, articulate its contribution to student success, and align with international best practice.

Facilitator: Allie Scott, Head of HUCS, BACP Universities and Colleges Divisional Executive.