Profession educational counsellor

Educational counsellors provide practical and emotional support to students in a educational institution, either in small groups, classrooms, or individually. They function as an accessible school official whom students may contact for a wide variety of issues. Educational counsellors may provide advice on personal problems such as social integration and behavioural issues, and on school-related matters such as composing adequate curriculum schedules, discussing test scores, and informing students on further education options. They may work closely with a school social worker and/or school psychologist and make referrals to other support services if necessary.

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Personality Type

• Social / Investigative

Related professions consultancy, coaching

• Education advisor
• Education methods specialist
• Philosopher

Knowledge

• Learning difficulties

  The learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.

• Crisis intervention

  Coping strategies in crisis cases which allow individuals to overcome their problems or fears and avoid psychological distress and breakdown.

• Adolescent psychological development

  Understand the developments and the development needs of children and young persons, observing the behaviour and the attachment relationships in order to detect developmental delay.

• Counselling methods

  Counselling techniques used in different settings and with various groups and individuals, especially concerning methods of supervision and mediation in the counselling process.

• Client-centred counselling

  Practice that encourages clients to concentrate on how they feel at the present moment during the counseling session in order to search for the most appropriate solutions.

• Learning needs analysis

  The process of analysing a student's learning needs through observation and testing, potentially followed by the diagnosis of a learning disorder and a plan for additional support.

Skills

• Perform educational testing

  Carry out psychological and educational tests on the personal interests, personality, cognitive capabilities, or language or mathematic skills of a student.

• Communicate with youth

  Use verbal and non-verbal communication and communicate through writing, electronic means, or drawing. Adapt your communication to children and young people`s age, needs, characteristics, abilities, preferences, and culture.

• Consult student's support system

  Communicate with multiple parties, including teachers and the family of the student, to discuss the student's behaviour or academic performance.

• Liaise with educational staff

  Communicate with the school staff such as teachers, teaching assistants, academic advisors, and the principal on issues relating to students' well-being. In the context of a university, liaise with the technical and research staff to discuss research projects and courses-related matters.

• Counsel students

  Provide assistance to students with educational, career-related or personal issues such as course selection, school adjustment en social integration, career exploration and planning, and family problems.

• Identify education needs

  Identify the needs of students, organisations and companies in terms of provision of education in order to aid in the development of curricula and education policies.

• Support children's wellbeing

  Provide an environment that supports and values children and helps them to manage their own feelings and relationships with others.

• Tackle issues that block academic progress

  Address the issues that can block a pupil`s school progress, such as social, psychological, emotional or physical difficulties, through counselling and intervention methods.

• Monitor educational developments

  Monitor the changes in educational policies, methodologies and research by reviewing relevant literature and liaising with education officials and institutions.

• Communicate on the youth's well-being

  Communicate on the youth's behaviour and welfare with parents, schools and other people in charge of the youth's upbringing and education.

• Listen actively

  Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.

• Liaise with educational institutions

  Communication and cooperation for the supply of study materials (e.g. books) to educational institutions.

• Monitor student's behaviour

  Supervise the student's social behaviour to discover anything unusual. Help solve any issues if necessary.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB