The school guidance officer is responsible for providing professional expertise, leadership and support to student, school communities and school networks in the development and implementation of plans, programmes, and procedures to assist students in achieving positive educational, developmental and lifelong learning outcomes.
Counselling – a core responsibility of GOs is to provide a counselling service to assist students in decision making about critical educational, personal, social, emotional, and/or career development.
Career development - GOs provide specific support in secondary schools that may include assisting with SET planning and career development programs and future pathways.
Assessment – GOs assess individual students referred for developmental, academic, behavioural or social emotional difficulties impacting on education. As part of the assessment process the GO determines whether a restricted test needs to be administered. Data collection also includes interviewing, rating scales with teachers and parents and behavioural observations.
Assessment practices in schools and use of restricted tests must be consistent with DETE policy.
'Education Adjustment' program - GOs have a specific role in the identification and verification processes for students.
Mental health – GOs have a specific role in supporting students with mental health difficulties.
Student protection –support for students; advice to schools with student protection processes.
Critical incident response as per regional processes - this takes precedence over routine work.
Participation in school/cluster teams, e.g. special needs, behaviour support.
Advocate for student needs and participate in case management processes in schools.
Guidance officers work collaboratively and conscientiously with members of the 'support services' staff to meet the educational, social and emotional needs of students. 'Support services' staff meet regularly to monitor the needs of individual students and to plan a range of programmes that will benefit students from year 8 through to year 12.