School counselling staff are members of the school learning and support team.
School counsellors are trained teachers with postgraduate training in school counselling. They complement and enhance the work of teachers by strengthening the school's student welfare programs and providing counselling and psychological assessment of students with specific needs. The role of the Counsellor is to assist the school in identifying all aspects of a student's emotional, social, intellectual and physical development. If parents feel there are concerns in any of the above areas, they are invited to contact the class teacher for a referral.
A teacher may recommend the service by referring a student to the school’s learning and support team. As a parent or carer, you may refer your child directly to the school counselling service. Students can also self-refer to the service.
The school counselling service can:
- support students who are worrying about school work, friends, getting in trouble at school or feeling down
- help parents and carers make decisions about your child’s education
- assess a student’s learning and behaviour
- help teachers and students identify and address disabilities that may affect learning
- liaise with other agencies regarding student wellbeing.
School counselling is confidential.
For more information about learning and support teams and the school counselling service, please contact your school.