Guidance Officers are employed by the Department of Education and Training to assist students and their families. Guidance Officers are registered teachers who possess appropriate post graduate qualifications in career and personal counselling. Guidance Officer can help students in several different areas:
Personal life
Guidance Officers are able to help students with relationship problems they may be experiencing with other students, friends and family. They can also help students develop their social skills and help with problems such as self-worth, self-harm, anxiety and feelings of sadness. If these problems are more complex, the Guidance Officer can assist in accessing other professionals, while remaining a support person for the student at school.
Academic life
Guidance Officers can also assist students with their study program by assisting with understanding their learning strengths and weaknesses and providing strategies for improving learning and managing their time. They can also help students access alternate learning pathways.
Work life
Guidance Officers can also help students find information related to developing a job or career. They can help students find out the characteristics of different occupations and opportunities available. The Guidance Officer can also help students’ complete applications for jobs / careers, traineeships and apprenticeships.
Our Guidance Officer at Bundaberg Special School is Lauren Bird. She services our school each Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. If you and/or your child would like to see Lauren, please speak with your child’s classroom teacher