Welcome to the Guidance & Counselling section of the website.
What is Guidance?
Guidance refers to a range of services and activities intended to assist students to make educational, training and occupational choices and to manage their careers. The activities may take place on an individual or group basis. They include:
§ career information provision (in print, ICT-based and other forms),
§ assessment and self-assessment tools,
§ vocational counselling interviews,
§ career education programmes (to help individuals develop their self-awareness, opportunity awareness, and career management skills),
§ work search programmes,
§ transition services
What is Counselling?
Counselling is offered on a one to one basis and is generally short-term in nature. The Service operates on an appointment basis however priority will be given in the event of an emergency. During the course of one’s school days many issues and concerns may present for students. Counselling offers the opportunity to discuss in private any such issues or concerns which impact on academic performance or personal well-being. It is not necessary to know exactly what the difficulty is in order to access the Service. A general feeling that all is not well is often enough to initially seek help. Deciding to speak with a Guidance Counsellor can be a positive step towards making life better for the individual. Self-referral to the Service is welcomed and encouraged.
Students bring a variety of different issues. These include:
· Friendship
· Settling in to a new school
· Anxieties
· Stress
· Bullying
· Self-esteem / Self worth
· Bereavement
· Sexuality
· Coping with loss
· Family crisis
· Health issues
Helping students individually is but part of our work as Guidance Counsellors. We are proactive in meeting students individually and also in their class groups to explore:
· Subject choice
· Time management
· Life skills
· Career planning
· Healthy relationships
· Individual career planning
· Preparation for examination / study skills
Confidentiality Policy
The Guidance & Counselling Service is a professional counselling service, which abides by a strict code of ethics and confidentiality policy as outlined by the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. A persistent link to this code can be found here.
Confidentiality is a central and integral part of the counselling process and is assured to each student who avails of the Counselling Service. It offers safety and privacy to those who choose to discuss personal and private concerns. Information given during the counselling session is held in strict confidence. No information written or verbal will be disclosed to a third party without the student’s permission. The issue of confidentiality is always discussed with students during the first session. This provides the opportunity to clarify any concerns that may arise. Counselling Service files are not attached to any academic records held within the school.
Limits to Confidentiality
In exceptional circumstances Guidance Counsellors may need to break confidentiality if they believe there is a real intent of serious harm or danger to either their student or another individual. Such circumstances may pertain to issues relating to sexual abuse, rape, self-harm, suicidal ideation or criminal activity. In as far as is possible, in such cases, a full explanation will be given regarding the necessary procedures that may need to be taken.
Mr. Core can be contacted by ringing the school or alternatively his email address is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
B. Core
Career Guidance Links:
Irish Organisations:
| An Bord Altanrais: The Irish Nursing Board | http://www.nursingboard.ie |
| Central Applications Office (CAO) | http://www.cao.ie |
| CERT - The State Tourism Trading Agency | http://www.cert.ie |
| FÁS | http://www.fas.ie |
| IBEC | http://www.ibec.ie |
| Irish Defence Forces | http://www.military.ie |
| Leargas | http://www.leargas.ie |
| National Adult Literacy Agency | http://www.nala.ie |
| National Centre for Technology in Education | http://www.ncte.ie |
| National Council for Vocational Awards | http://www.ncva.ie |
| Teagasc | http://www.teagasc.ie |
Irish resources:
| CAO On-line Application System | http://www.cao.ie |
| CareerNet | http://www.iol.ie/careernet |
| Careers World | http://www.careersworld.com |
| GAIRM | http://www.fas.ie |
| Irish Jobs Page | http://www.exp.ie |
| Jobfinder/Stepstone | http://www.jobfinder.ie |
| Orange Jobs | http://www.orangejobs.com |
| ScoilNet | http://www.scoilnet.ie |
International Organisations:
| Careers Research and Advisory Centre | http://www.crac.org.uk |
| European Employment Services (EURES) | http://europa.eu.int/jobs/eures |
| National Association of Careers and Guidance Teachers (UK) |
http://www.nacgt.org.uk |
| UCAS - UK College Applications | http://www.ucas.ac.uk |
International Resources:
| British University Information | http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/ |
| Career Perfect | http://www.careerperfect.com |
| Career Resource Centre | http://www.careers.org |
| CareerMosaic | http://www.careermosaic.com |
| Careersoft | http://www.careersoft.co.uk |
| Ecctis - UK Course Discover | http://www.ecctis.co.uk |
| Embark.com | http://www.embark.com |
| Guideline Career Services | http://www.guideline-careers.co.uk |
| My Future - US Online Career Advice site | http://www.myfuture.com |
| Online Profiles.com | http://www.onlineprofiles.com |
| Progressions | http://www.progressions.co.uk |
| US Careers Resource Centre | http://www.uscareers.com |