The role of the position of Guidance Officer is to provide guidance and counselling support to schools and their communities so that equity is achieved in educational access, participation and outcomes for all students.  The Guidance Officer role also involves the provision of support to schools and their communities in developing supportive school environments.  Guidance and counselling support includes both direct service delivery to children and their families and indirect service delivery to schools through consultation, collaboration and the provision of inservice and professional development programs.

Guidance Officers provide support to schools and their communities which reflects an emphasis on the unique needs of adolescents in a process of change throughout their secondary schooling and towards post-school options and emerging adulthood.  The support is provided through activities such as career education and counselling within a school context; individual and group counselling; and advocacy for the educational and personal welfare of students.  Specific support is provided through participation in career markets and the provision of QTAC counselling throughout the school year.

The Guidance Officer position provides a unique source of expertise requiring a background which includes exceptional teaching ability and experience; advanced individual and group counselling skills; and sophisticated interpersonal and personal abilities.  The Guidance position also requires a background which includes advanced skills and knowledge in the area of psycho-educational assessment and intervention; and/or advanced knowledge and skills in career education and counselling.

Guidance and counselling intervention is primarily concerned with positive human change to enable effective learning and teaching to occur.  This typically involves addressing issues associated with individuals, families, schools, communities and socio-economic systems.  It involves addressing institutional change to meet individual needs as well as effecting positive change in individuals.