Guidance and counselling services in public kindergartens and schools

Guidance and counselling are recognised as a core educational support activity within the Slovenian education system. The Zakon o organizaciji in financiranju vzgoje in izobraževanja provides for guidance and counselling services in public kindergartens and schools. Guidance counsellors deliver these services, including psychologists, educationalists, social workers, social pedagogues, special and rehabilitation pedagogues, inclusive pedagogues, and defectologists. In career guidance, guidance counsellors cooperate with the Employment Service of Slovenia.

The professional framework for guidance and counselling services is provided by the Programske smernice svetovalnega dela v programih s podrocja vzgoje in izobrazevanja, which sets out the foundations for the planning, implementation and evaluation of guidance and counselling activities across all levels of education.

Guidance and counselling services operate as development-oriented professional support services within educational institutions. Their purpose is to contribute to the quality and effectiveness of the educational process and to promote the optimal development, learning and well-being of all children, pupils and students. They pursue their objectives through developmental, preventive, counselling, and support activities.

Guidance and counselling services work in cooperation with school leadership, teaching and other professional staff, parents, children and young people, as well as external professionals and institutions. Activities include needs assessment, planning and implementation of interventions, monitoring progress, and evaluating outcomes, thereby contributing to the continuous improvement of educational quality.

Guidance and counselling services focus on five broad areas:

• Ensuring a safe, supportive and inclusive environment
• Promoting holistic development and well-being
• Supporting learning and teaching
• Supporting educational transitions, and
• Contributing to institutional development and the professional development of staff.

Guidance and counselling services operate at three interconnected levels:

• Institutional level – contributing to quality development, strategic planning and the design of systemic solutions within the educational institution
• Group or class level – providing professional support to the educational process and cooperating with preschool teachers, teachers, parents and groups of children or young people
• Individual level – focusing on the early identification of needs and difficulties and providing timely support tailored to the developmental characteristics and needs of individual children, pupils and students.

Academic guidance

Academic guidance encompasses activities that support teaching and learning, identify educational needs, and promote successful educational progression. 

At the institutional level, counselling services contribute to curriculum development, quality assurance processes and the implementation of innovative educational projects. In basic and upper secondary education, they support teachers in introducing new pedagogical approaches and improving learning environments.

At the group level, counsellors cooperate with teachers and class tutors to monitor group dynamics, foster a positive classroom climate, and implement preventive activities that support learning and social inclusion. 

At the individual level, they identify learning difficulties, guide learners and parents, contribute to the preparation of adaptations and individualised programmes, and coordinate support with external specialists when necessary.

Across all educational levels, counselling services also support transitions between educational stages and help learners adapt successfully to new learning environments.

Psychological counselling

Promoting learners’ well-being and healthy development is a central function of guidance and counselling services. Counsellors work preventively and provide support to address personal, emotional, behavioural and social difficulties that may affect participation in education.

In kindergartens, counselling services monitor children’s development, behaviour, communication and social inclusion; identify developmental difficulties at an early stage; and provide guidance to parents. 

In basic and upper secondary education, counsellors contribute to the development of safe, supportive and inclusive learning environments and implement preventive programmes focusing on mental health, social-emotional development, interpersonal relationships and the prevention of risky behaviour.

At the group level, counsellors organise workshops and activities to strengthen social and emotional competencies, resolve conflicts, and improve peer relationships. 

At the individual level, they provide counselling for learners experiencing emotional, behavioural, social or mental health difficulties and coordinate support with parents and external professional services where necessary.

Career guidance

Career guidance forms an important part of counselling services, particularly in basic and upper secondary education. Its purpose is to support learners in making informed decisions about further education, training and employment.

Counsellors organise career guidance activities, provide information on educational pathways and occupations, and support learners in planning their future educational and career development. 

In basic education, career guidance focuses primarily on helping pupils choose appropriate upper secondary programmes and facilitating successful transitions between educational levels.

In upper secondary education, career guidance includes support for further study choices, career planning and preparation for entry into the labour market. Counsellors assist students in managing transitions between programmes, schools and employment pathways, and cooperate with parents, employers, and external institutions involved in career development.

Comprehensive information for pupils, students, parents and school staff is available through the Mojaizbira (“My Choice”) online portal, which provides easy access to information supporting educational and career decision-making.

Other organisations also provide information on occupations and vocational education and training, including the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training (CPI), the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia, and other relevant bodies.