School Counsellors and Young People in Care

Protocols recently introduced by state education authorities require guidance and school counsellors to collaborate with other school personnel to develop 'Individual Education Support Plans' for students in the care of the state. Of the more than 20,000 young people in care in Australia, the majority are in foster home placements due to previous maltreatment or neglect by their parents. Young people in care are a diverse, vulnerable and, at times, challenging cohort of students who typically have academic, psychological, behavioural, social, and friendship difficulties - and for some, ongoing mental health issues. This article reviews the characteristics allied with young people in care as well as procedures and strategies school counsellors can consider that facilitate more positive outcomes for these students.