Guidance Counselling refers to a range of learning experiences provided in a developmental sequence, designed to assist students to make choices about their lives and to make transitions to these choices. These choices may be categorised into three distinct but interlinked areas:
- Personal and social
- Educational
- Career
The Guidance Counsellor is involved in educational counselling, career counselling and personal counselling.
Operating in these areas the guidance counsellor works in conjunction with the students, the parents/guardians, the management of the school, and the staff of the school.
The role of the guidance counsellor is one which is formative, informative and consultative and encompasses helping to direct and develop students’ capacity to become self-directed and independent learners, equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to make informed decisions.
Guidance activities that assist students make informed choices include:
- Personal counselling
- Assessment using psychometric instruments and inventories
- Career information (classroom, personal vocational guidance interviews, attendance at career events…)
- Use of information technology eg. Qualifax, Careers Portal
- Personal and social developmental programmes
Counselling is a key part of the school guidance programme, offered on an individual or group basis as part of a developmental learning process and at moments of personal crisis. Counselling may include personal counselling, educational counselling, career counselling or combinations of these.
Objectives:
- To assist students to make and carry out appropriate and informed life choices
- To identify and accept their abilities, interests and special aptitudes and their relevance to career choice
- To provide information about educational and career opportunities within a changing society
- To provide information about subject choice and the implications for course and career choice
- To assist students to grow in independence and take responsibility for themselves
- To support and empower students with decision making, problem solving, behavioural change and skills for coping with ever changing circumstances in the fields of their personal, educational and career development