In Ukraine, various categories of pedagogical staff provide academic guidance, career counselling and psychological support in early childhood education, school education, vocational education and professional pre-higher education. These institutions do not employ separate staff members responsible solely for career counselling in early childhood or school education; instead, existing staff carry out these functions.

Early Childhood Education and Care

Staff categories:

• educational psychologist (practical psychologist);

• social pedagogue (mainly in large or complex institutions);

• methodologist (responsible for methodological support and cooperation with families);

• educators (responsible for basic elements of educational support).

Main functions:

• psychological support for children and families;

• early identification of special educational needs;

• cooperation with Inclusive Resource Centres (IRCs);

• counselling parents on child development and adaptation.

There is no career counselling at this level, as it is not relevant to the age group.

General Secondary Education

Staff categories:

• educational psychologist (practical psychologist);

• social pedagogue;

• activity coordinator/pedagogical organiser (partially);

• class teachers (whose pastoral and educational work includes elements of career guidance);

• subject teachers (participation in career guidance activities);

There is no separate specialised position of career counsellor in general secondary education.

Main functions:

• psychological support for learners;

• counselling on educational pathways and the choice of specialised study tracks;

• career guidance (tests, training activities, excursions, cooperation with employers);

• support for learners with special educational needs in cooperation with IRCs;

• anti-bullying prevention and crisis intervention.

Vocational and Professional Pre-Higher Education

Vocational education and professional pre-higher education institutions do not provide career counselling as a separate service, as learners have already chosen an occupation or field of study. Instead, educational and professional programmes include elements of professional guidance.