GUIDANCE COUNSELLING
Our Guidance service provides our students with information, advice and support, it refers to a full range of interventions and learning experiences, developmental in nature, shaped by our core values and are reflective of the school’s Wellbeing Policy. The aim of the guidance service is to help all students make informed decisions about their education, future career and personal lives. The Guidance counsellor has a dedicated Twitter account: @CCCGuidance, which is monitored daily to keep students and parents up-to-date with the latest guidance related news and articles.
Personal and Social Guidance and Counselling encourages developmental skills crucial to the students’ development. Personal guidance may be part of the developmental learning of students or it may result from a time of personal crisis for the student. Personal Counselling usually takes place on a referral basis. Students may be referred by parents, staff, management, other students or they may self-refer. The Guidance Counsellor is part of the Pastoral Care Team in the school, which is instrumental in supporting all students in need. The Pastoral Care team in the school meets once a week and consists of Principal, Deputy Principal, Guidance Counsellor, SEN Coordinator and other staff members with Pastoral training.
The following procedures are in place when a student requires pastoral counselling:
• Written parental permission will be required for involvement in this process.
• The Guidance Counsellor will agree on the process with the student going forward.
• The counsellor will specify the limits of confidentiality. Confidentiality is within the bounds of the Pastoral Care team, counselling supervision and the counselling supervisor. If the client or anyone else is at risk, the pastoral counsellor will be obliged to report this to the school authorities and DLP.
• No student will be required to attend supportive counselling against his/her will.
If, in the opinion of the Guidance Counsellor and Pastoral Care team, the student’s needs fall beyond the professional expertise of the team, a recommendation will be made to the parents/guardians regarding the availability of appropriate external services and referral will be discussed as appropriate.
Educational Guidance and Counselling is developmental and includes areas such as subject/course choices, subject level, motivation and learning, study skills, exam techniques, personal organisation and interest testing.
Career Guidance provides students with information on the jobs market, job opportunities, vocational education and training, further education, job and interview preparation, career research and career/course information. The guidance counsellor assists students in understanding applications to college. Students attend various career events e.g. Open days, Higher Options, Guest Speakers etc. Parent information evening will be organised and the guidance counsellor is available for consultation at the end of these sessions.
Visits to career events, college open-days, presentations by speakers from colleges/industry/youth welfare and support groups are arranged throughout the year.
Career Classes are timetabled throughout the Senior Cycle (TY to 6th Year) and students are provided with a one-to-one guidance appointment.