Guidance officers have the responsibility in a school to provide counselling, psychoeducational assessment and individual student support recommendations for students, their parents and their teachers, concerning educational, behavioural, mental health and family issues.
As part of a multidisciplinary team in the school, the Guidance Officer provides comprehensive support case management and facilitates a referral service that optimises student's access and engagement with external support agencies for more serious counselling issues, for longer term counselling or for family therapy.
They conduct student observations and psychoeducational assessment, in order to determine the nature of student learning difficulties, disability, developmental levels, and psychological and emotional status in order to make recommendations for educational adjustment and intervention.
They may also assist the school in the implementation of student protection, gifted and talented education, behaviour support policies and risk management processes which may involve the development of individualised student plans, including educational support plans.