Guidance & Counselling Services

Education Queensland's vision for a creative and clever Queensland built on a quality education system is supported through the provision of a comprehensive guidance and counselling service provided directly to students and their families in all primary, secondary and special schools and other departmental facilities across the state. This includes early childhood development programs for young children with disabilities and their families with some specific services available to parents of pre-prep aged children with disabilities.

Guidance and counselling services focus on assisting students achieve to their potential in the most appropriate educational setting. Guidance officers identify factors that can be barriers to learning and development, and plan or assist in planning support programs that can help students achieve positive outcomes. Guidance officers may work directly with the student or with the student's teachers, support personnel, family, other specialists, or professionals from other agencies depending on the issues to be resolved and the age of the student. A range of issues may be supported by guidance officers including personal and social development, diverse learning styles and needs, and educational and career pathways.

Guidance officers, whilst respecting client privacy and confidentiality, work as members of a support team and are committed to providing quality education services to enhance the educational opportunities for every young Queenslander regardless of their circumstances.

Guidance Officers are teachers with specialist training and qualifications in guidance, counselling and psycho-educational assessment. They assist students to achieve to their potential in the most appropriate educational setting. This involves working with students and their parents or caregivers, often in conjunction with teachers, specialist support personnel and other community agencies. Guidance Officers identify factors that can be barriers to learning and development, and plan or assist in planning interventions or programs that can help students achieve positive outcomes. Parents and students wishing to discuss issues with the Guidance Officer should contact the Head of Campus to arrange an appointment. Referrals may also be made through class teachers, specialist staff, and the school administration.