Kate Wallace and Teneille Jorgensen make up the Guidance Team who manage the Student Services Support Team at Northern Beaches State High school. Guidance Officers oversee the Whole School Wellbeing Program – Useful To You (UTU) and provide small group intervention Programs for students who are disengaged, at risk or need additional social emotional support.
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. The Guidance Officer roles encompasses the following:
- Work directly with students in addition to working with a student's teachers, school support personnel, family, other specialists or external support providers
- Advocate, provide advice and counselling on educational, behavioural, vocational, personal, social, family, and mental health and wellbeing issues
- Administer psychoeducational assessments and career development also form an important part of the work guidance officers undertake to enhance positive educational outcomes and career pathways for all students
- Support and case manage 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 work as part of a multidisciplinary team and facilitate effective working relationships and partnerships with parents, school personnel and external support agencies in order to provide a comprehensive support, case management and referral service that optimises students' access and engagement in educational programs. Guidance Officers can complete referrals for external providers in consultation with parents and students who require addition levels of support:
- HeadSpace
- Child Youth and Mental Health
- TAIHS & Light House
- Me Too Program
- Family and Child Connect
- Young Carers
- Project Booyah
- Queensland Youth Services