MANITOBA SCHOOL COUNSELLORS an overview

Purpose of School Counsellors To create the most enabling environment for all students to become To create the most enabling environment for all students to become –Full, equal, capable citizens both interpersonally and intrapersonally –Fulfilled human beings who find success within the educational context and in the general community –Self-monitoring, effective people –More“enabled” in terms of a specific situation, event, trait, condition, visible or invisible disability

Purpose of School Counsellors To educate To educate –Students –Teachers –Professionals –Community In the strengths and abilities of students, particularly those with social, emotional, academic, attitudinal or mental health issues, conditions or situations that historically have been perceived as limiting opportunities for a full and rich life.

Purpose of School Counsellors To be a trustworthy, confidential source of support for all students, staff, parents, and school community To be a trustworthy, confidential source of support for all students, staff, parents, and school community To create a link between the home, community and school to enable smooth life transitions To create a link between the home, community and school to enable smooth life transitions

General Roles and Functions Provision of counselling services within an educational context – for students, teachers, administrators, parents, community Provision of counselling services within an educational context – for students, teachers, administrators, parents, community Developmental guidance programming Developmental guidance programming Career guidance programming Career guidance programming Post-secondary education programming Post-secondary education programming Credit selection counselling Credit selection counselling

Transitioning students (grade to grade/class to class/school to school/school to workplace/community to school/school to community) Transitioning students (grade to grade/class to class/school to school/school to workplace/community to school/school to community) Support services in the event of Code of Conduct issues Support services in the event of Code of Conduct issues Crisis Intervention Crisis Intervention Threat Assessment Threat Assessment General Roles and Functions (cont’d)

Responsive Services: individual and small group guidance and counselling interventions, parent outreach, consultation, referral, multi-system interventions Responsive Services: individual and small group guidance and counselling interventions, parent outreach, consultation, referral, multi-system interventions Systems Support: workshops, student placement, research, data collection, community outreach, program admission Systems Support: workshops, student placement, research, data collection, community outreach, program admission

Specific Guidance Activities – a sample Violence prevention Violence prevention Personal safety Personal safety Addictions awareness Addictions awareness Suicide prevention Suicide prevention Sexuality Sexuality Relationships Relationships Peer helper programs Peer helper programs

Specific Counselling Activities – a sample Child abuse/neglect/protection support Child abuse/neglect/protection support Personal growth counselling: self-image, self- harm, depression, family dynamics, social skills, organizational skills, study skills, hygiene, sexuality issues, relationships Personal growth counselling: self-image, self- harm, depression, family dynamics, social skills, organizational skills, study skills, hygiene, sexuality issues, relationships Liaison between multiple service providers Liaison between multiple service providers Team with psychiatrists, medical doctors, social workers, probation officers, etc. in mental health issues Team with psychiatrists, medical doctors, social workers, probation officers, etc. in mental health issues Team with specialists for students with specific special needs Team with specialists for students with specific special needs

Support and Learning Opportunities for School Counsellors Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth supports the Manitoba school system with consultants to assist the professionals working with students across the province. Their work is ongoing, proactive, supportive and responsive. Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth supports the Manitoba school system with consultants to assist the professionals working with students across the province. Their work is ongoing, proactive, supportive and responsive.

Role and Function of MECY Guidance/Counselling Consultant Source of best practice information and new initiatives in the area of social, emotional, behavioural issues and mental health and mental illness Source of best practice information and new initiatives in the area of social, emotional, behavioural issues and mental health and mental illness Provide guidance, support and encouragement to school counsellors and school teams Provide guidance, support and encouragement to school counsellors and school teams Ensure appropriate referrals occur Ensure appropriate referrals occur Advocate for counsellors Advocate for counsellors Meet with professionals and share skills, information, training opportunities Meet with professionals and share skills, information, training opportunities Discuss governmental and legal implications of educational decisions. Discuss governmental and legal implications of educational decisions.

Ethics and Guidelines for School Counsellors in Manitoba The Manitoba School Counsellors’ Association, through the Manitoba Teachers’ Society provides school counsellors with: The Manitoba School Counsellors’ Association, through the Manitoba Teachers’ Society provides school counsellors with: –Professional support and professional learning opportunities (including scholarships) –Guidelines for guidance and counselling –Code of Ethics –A quarterly journal

Professional Education of School Counsellors Because of the diversity, depth, stress and overall nature of the ongoing work of school counsellors, specific professional education for school counselling aids in the well-being of both the student and the counsellor. Below are major areas of training that support effective school counselling: - Bachelor of Education degree years teaching experience - Training in -Ethics in counselling -Theories and issues in school counselling -Groups in guidance - Advanced training in counselling (e.g., diploma in counselling, social work, applied counselling certificate, addictions counselling, M.Ed.Psych.)

For further information on the role and function of school counsellors: Manitoba Education Citizenship and Youth Lorna Martin, Guidance/Counselling Consultant (204) toll free , ext OR Manitoba School Counsellors’ Association (204) (via Manitoba Teachers’ Society)