AP 730: School Counselling and Guidance
Health & Safety
Background
The Superintendent supports access to school counselling and guidance services as an integral component of a continuum of supports and services, and in support of Parkland School Division’s (PSD) ultimate goal of student success and well-being. A focus on awareness, communication, prevention, and intervention promotes welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environments.
Definitions
a) Counselling: Shall refer to the provision of mental health services. These services may be provided through individual, targeted (group), or universal support, and support students’ social and emotional needs.
b) Guidance: Shall refer to the provision of educational, career, and vocational advising. These services may be provided through individual, targeted (group), or universal support, and support students in setting goals, problem solving, and making decisions.
c) The Handbook: Shall, for the purposes of this Administrative Procedure, refer to the Parkland School Division Kindergarten to Grade Nine School Counselling Handbook.
d) The Program: Shall, for the purposes of this Administrative Procedure, refer to the Parkland School Division School Counselling and Guidance Program.
Procedures
1. Counselling and Guidance services support students in the following areas:
1.1. School Counsellors, who serve students in Kindergarten through Grade 9, shall focus primarily on providing counselling support.
1.2. School Counsellors, who serve students in Grade 10 to 12, shall provide both counselling and guidance support.
2. School Counsellors shall consist of highly skilled professionals with specialized training in the field of counselling.
2.1. The preferred level of training shall be a master’s degree in counselling or a related discipline, with clinical and/or practicum experience.
3. The Division Principal of Wellness and Community Partnerships shall provide leadership and support for the division’s counselling program, in consultation with the Division Psychologist; notably:
3.1. The Division Principal of Wellness and Community Partnerships shall determine the minimum School Counsellor FTE for each school site, in consultation with the Associate Superintendent of Student Support and Services.
4. The Principal shall support the Program, as described in the Handbook; notably:
4.1. The Principal shall designate the appropriate funds within the school budget for the determined School Counsellor FTE;
4.2. The Principal shall work collaboratively with the Division Psychologist in the hiring, supervision, and evaluation of the School Counsellor(s) and in adhering to the Program;
4.3. The Principal shall provide administrative supervision to the School Counsellor(s), for Kindergarten to Grade 12; and
4.4. The Principal shall provide administrative supervision to the School Counsellor(s), as well as direction and support regarding their guidance responsibilities, for Grades 10 through 12.
5. The Division Psychologist shall support the Program, as described in the Handbook; notably:
5.1. The Division Psychologist shall work collaboratively with Principals in the hiring, supervision, and evaluation of School Counsellors and in adhering to the Program;
5.2. The Division Psychologist shall provide clinical supervision and consultation to the School Counsellors in the area of counselling and mental health for Kindergarten through to Grade 9;
5.3. The Division Psychologist shall provide consultation to the School Counsellors in the area of counselling and mental health for Grades 10 through 12; and
5.4. The Division Psychologist shall provide ongoing professional development for School Counsellors, with regards to current research and developments, and within the field of counselling.
6. School Counsellors shall support the Program, as described in the Handbook; notably:
6.1. School Counsellors shall provide a continuum of preventative, developmental, remedial, and intervention services and programs and facilitate referrals to community resources, as appropriate;
6.1.1. For specialized counselling needs, students may be referred to outside agencies;
6.2. School Counsellors shall abide by the procedures outlined in the Handbook for Kindergarten through to Grade 9, if serving this student population;
6.3. School Counsellors shall work collaboratively with school staff, parents/guardians, community resources, and other professionals to provide coordinated and timely support and services to students;
6.4. School Counsellors shall respect their responsibility to protect confidentiality of information in accordance with professional ethics and the law; and
6.5. School Counsellors shall ensure that counselling records are created and maintained in accordance with professional ethics, relevant legislation, and Division procedures.
