My name is Paul Dearling and I am the Guidance Officer at Mitchelton State School. I have been working at Mitchelton SS since 2008 and prior to this I have worked in the South Coast and South West Region as a Guidance Officer. My initial training is as a primary school teacher and prior to becoming a guidance officer I taught classes from grade 2 to grade 7.
So, what are Guidance Officers?
Guidance officers are specialist teachers who deliver a broad range of services to school community members. They contribute to the development of a comprehensive student support and wellbeing program that is responsive to the needs of the school community.
Guidance officers may work directly with students in addition to working with a student's teachers, school support personnel, family, other specialists or external support providers.
Support offered by guidance officers includes providing advice and counselling on educational, behavioural, vocational, personal, social, family, and mental health and wellbeing issues.
Guidance Officers also undertake assessments such as Psychoeducational assessments in primary schools and these are often used to enhance positive educational outcomes for all students.
Guidance officers provide leadership, support and case management in responding to some of the most complex and challenging of circumstances including student protection matters, critical incidents, mental health issues, and suicide prevention and postvention support.
Guidance officers require a diverse range of skills and knowledge and an ability to form strong and productive relationships with key stakeholders in order to develop and implement plans and programs that are responsive to the needs of students.