Guidance Officer

​Guidance Officer Role

• Guidance Officer services are provided to state school students in all phases of learning.
• Guidance Officers provide a service for students that have a focus on preventative and early intervention strategies; are responsive to identified personal, social, emotional and educational needs; and aim to foster resilience and personal skills development
• They make use of professional expertise and leadership skills, and support school communities and networks in the development and implementation of plans, programs, and procedures to assist students in achieving positive educational, developmental and lifelong learning outcomes
• The guidance program is negotiated with and authorised by a line manager, usually the Principal. Guidance Officers are required to provide this service in collaboration with other school based personnel and external support providers in a variety of educational contexts, including schools and alternative education programs.

Key Tasks

• Counselling 
• Psychoeducational assessment
• Individual student support, recommendations and advice to students, teachers and parents concerning educational, behavioural, career development, mental health and family issues.
• Comprehensive support, case management and referral service that optimises students’ access and engagement in educational programs.
• Assist students in decision making about critical educational, personal, social, emotional and career development, and provide ongoing support during the implementation phase of their decision.
• Assessment that includes data gathering, functional assessment, psychoeducational assessment and observation in order to determine the nature of student learning difficulties, disability, developmental levels or psychological and emotional status in order to make recommendations for educational adjustments and interventions.
• Assist schools in the implementation of student protection, gifted and talented education, behaviour support policies and risk management processes that may involve the development of individualised student plans, including Educational Support Plans.
• Provide specific support in secondary schools that may include involvement in the process of Senior Education and Training (SET) planning, career development and future pathway options counselling.