INFORMATION SHEET

GUIDANCE IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS IN IRELAND

The following provides a comprehensive overview of guidance in educational settings in Ireland. The information sheet begins with an overview of the provision of guidance services in Ireland outlining recent developments in the area. Each guidance service is then described in tabular format with information on the activities of guidance clients, administrative control, and training and qualifications of practitioners in each setting. The training of practitioners is then outlined and links to further information is provided.

OVERVIEW Within educational settings guidance services are based in post-primary schools, higher and further education institutions and through second chance education programmes eg. YOUTHREACH. PROVISION AND CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS Primary there is no formal guidance provision at primary school level, however there are elements of guidance in the primary school curriculum eg. SPHE Programme. In some schools support teachers are available to support the needs of children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Post-primary guidance is a universal entitlement as per the Education Act, 1998. Schools are encouraged to develop a comprehensive guidance plan as part of their overall school development plan, taking into account the needs of students, available resources and contextual factors. Guidance also forms part of the curriculum in senior cycle through the Transition Year Programme (TYP), Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP). YOUTHREACH additional resources are allocated to VECs for the delivery of guidance, counselling and psychological services to learners in centres for education providing the Youthreach and STTC programmes and to FAS-funded Community Training Centres (CTCs). VECs and CTCs use this budget to address a spectrum of needs ranging from initial orientation and guidance and vocational information to psychological services. The vast majority prioritise counselling and guidance services. On average these funds allow for a visiting service where each centre receives support of the order of 5 hours per fortnight. Other guidance and counselling functions are delivered by staff within centres. In some cases the service is supplemented by advocates funded by FS. A number of centres also have the service (on a fulltime or part-time basis) of an advocate funded by FAS Further Education The guidance and counselling provision in this sector is within the VEC system and in community education settings. The guidance allocation to VECs is the same as for post-primary schools. In addition information regarding Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses is provided to students by the course tutor. Information is provided to participants on community education programmes through the course tutor /co-ordinator also. Third Level All Universities and Institutes of Technology (IoTs) have career and counselling services available to students. Career services are based in Career Advisory and Appointments Offices, and counselling services are offered through the Student Counselling Service.
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Adult Education The Adult Educational Guidance Initiative (AEGI) was initiated in 2000 with the aim of providing guidance to adults participating in VTOS, literacy and other adult community education programmes nationwide. The centres throughout the country support adults in guidance and counselling matters. Youth Information Centres There are over 30 Youth Information Centres (YICs) nationwide managed by a variety of youth organisations. YICs offer an information service on a wide number of issues including employment matters, local community services and education and training to young people.

OVERVIEW OF GUIDANCE SERVICES GUIDANCE SERVICE

1. Guidance and Counselling in post-primary schools

ACTIVITIES
Personal and social, educational and career guidance. Guidance delivered through modules on TYP, LCA, LCVP by subject teachers under supervision of the guidance counsellor Career and educational guidance concentration on further educational and employment opportunities Educational and career guidance Information and referral Personal and social, educational and career guidance

CLIENTS
Age 12/13-18: pupils attending post-primary schools

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL
Department of Education and Skills (DES)

PROVIDED BY
Guidance Counsellor Subject teachers

TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS

Guidance Counsellor - Degree + Teaching Qualification + Recognised Guidance Qualification (see overleaf)

2.

Careers Advisory Services in third-level institutions Adult Educational Guidance Initiative Youth Information Service Private guidance agencies

3.

Majority aged 18/1922: students attending most major third-level institutions Literacy, VTOS and Community Education participants Age 15-25 All ages

Universities and Colleges

Careers & Appointments Officer / Adviser Guidance Counsellor/ Information Officer Youth Information Officer Psychologist / Guidance Counsellor

Preferably Qualification in Guidance Guidance Counsellor Degree + Recognised Guidance Qualification (see overleaf) Various Degree and Masters in Psychology, Guidance qualifications, and various

4. 5.

Department of Education and Skills (support, training and evaluation role: NCGE) Local voluntary agencies Private

QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE IN GUIDANCE COURSE TITLE

Masters in Applied Psychology (Guidance Counselling) 1 year FT Post Graduate Diploma in Arts: School Guidance Counselling 1 year FT (Will not run in 2012/13) Graduate Diploma in Guidance & Counselling 2 year PT (Will not run in 2012/13) Master in Education (Guidance and Counselling) 2 years PT Higher Diploma in Arts: Adult Guidance & Counselling 2 years PT MSc in Guidance and Counselling 2 years PT

INSTITUTION
University College Cork

DEPARTMENT
Department of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Cork Education Department, NUI Maynooth, Maynooth, Co. Kildare Education and Professional Studies University of Limerick, Plassey, Technological Park, Limerick Education Department University of Dublin Trinity College, Dublin 2 Centre for Adult & Continuing Education NUI Maynooth, Maynooth, Co Kildare School of Education Dublin City University, Dublin 9

CONTACT NO.
Tel: 353 21 4904601

WEB ADDRESS
W: http://apsych.ucc.ie/

National University of Ireland Maynooth

Tel: 353 1 7086087

W: www.nuim.ie/academic/education/

University of Limerick

Tel: 353 61 202701

W: www.ul.ie/education/

University of Dublin Trinity National University of Ireland Maynooth Dublin City University

Tel: 353 01- 8963568

W: www.tcd.ie

Tel: 353 1 7083752

W: http://adulteducation.nuim.ie

Tel: 353 1 7007151

W: www.dcu.ie

QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE IN GUIDANCE COURSE TITLE

MEd in Adult Guidance & Counselling 1 Year

INSTITUTION
National University of Ireland Maynooth

DEPARTMENT
Department of Adult & Community Education, NUI Maynooth, Maynooth, Co. Kildare Education and Professional Studies University of Limerick, Plassey, Technological Park, Limerick Department of Adult & Community Education, NUI Maynooth, Maynooth, Co. Kildare

CONTACT NO.
Tel: 353 1 708 3937

EMAIL & WEB ADDRESS

W: http://adulteducation.nuim.ie

MA in Guidance Counselling 1 Year (PT)

University of Limerick

Tel: 353 61 202931

W: www.ul.ie/education

NUI Certificate in Adult Guidance, Theory and Practice (Level 8 NQF)

National University of Ireland Maynooth

Tel: 353 1 708 3937

W: http://adulteducation.nuim.ie

RECOGNITION OF QUALIFICATIONS OBTAINED OUTSIDE OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND Guidance practitioners with qualifications obtained outside of Ireland who wish to work in Ireland should contact the Inspectors of Guidance in the Department of Education and Skills if they wish to work in an educational setting.
Information correct at time of update May 2012.

The National Centre for Guidance in Education (NCGE) is an agency of the Irish Department of Education and Skills, with responsibility to support and develop guidance provision and practice in all areas of education and to inform the policy of this Department in the field of guidance. Address: Tel: Fax: Email: Web: Fitzwilliam Court, Leeson Close, Dublin 2 01 8690715/6 01 8823817 [email protected] http://www.ncge.ie

USEFUL ADDRESSES GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ORGANISATION

Department of Education and Skills responsible for the administration of the public education system. National Educational Psychological Service Agency - an agency of the Dept of Education and Skills, responsible for the provision of a psychological service to schools and education centres. Department of Enterprise, Trade & Innovation, 23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Responsible for the development of a competitive enterprise economy.

ADDRESS
Marlborough Street, Dublin 1 Dept. of Education & Skills, Frederick Court, 24/27 North Frederick St. Dublin 1 23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2

PHONE
Tel: 353 1 8896400 Tel: 353 1 8892700

WEBSITE / EMAIL
W: http://www.education.ie E: [email protected]

Tel: 353 1 6312121

W: http://www.deti.ie

PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE ASSOCIATIONS ASSOCIATION

Institute of Guidance Counsellors professional association for guidance counsellors working in education settings (mainly postprimary) AHECS professional association for career advisers working in third level AEGAI- Adult Educational Guidance Association of Ireland Association representing staff of the AEGI

ADDRESS
17 Herbert Street, Dublin 2

PHONE
Tel: 353 1 6761975

WEBSITE / EMAIL
http://www.igc.ie E: [email protected]

Careers Service, East Chapel, Trinity College, Dublin 2 Mary Stokes Chairperson

Tel: 353 1 7021705

http://www.ahecs.ie

http://www.aegai.ie/

E: [email protected]