STUDENT AND FAMILY COUNSELLING SERVICE
Dear Parents & Students,
Student & Family Counselling Services
I am writing to update you on the efforts CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn are making to continue to provide services in light of the Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19).
The health and welfare of our clients, families and staff are our highest priority. Our organisation is on high alert and we have enacted a number of strategies to ensure we are able to respond to this national health pandemic.
We are working closely with the Commonwealth Health authorities to follow all guidelines as directed and as such, have put in place hygiene and self-protection measures that can prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
Counsellors will continue to provide support and are able to connect with students and parents via telephone or online using the Zoom platform.
Appointment information:
· Appointments will be available during school hours on the counsellor’s usual working day/s in the school.
· Appointments can be made by phoning our receptionist on 6162 6104 or by emailing schoolcounselling@catholiccare.cg.org.au. Please provide the following information in your email – name of student, school year, name of school, name of counsellor (if currently working with this person) and a brief outline of the reason for the referral. We will then make contact to arrange an appointment time and discuss your preference for a telephone or online session.
Session information:
· For telephone sessions, if the call is missed, a second attempt to make contact will be made. If this is still not successful, the Counsellor will send an email to negotiate another time. It would be appreciated if you are not available at the scheduled time, that an email to cancel the session is received.
· For video sessions you will receive an invitation via email with a link to your Zoom session. You do not need to already have a Zoom account; you will be invited to download the software once you click on the link. The same process as above will be followed if you do not accept the session.
Privacy & Confidentiality:
· Please make sure you are in a private place for your session; where others cannot hear your conversation or see your screen. This is your responsibility; please advise the Counsellor if this is not possible.
· Should your counsellor become concerned about your safety or the safety of another student, the usual limitations around confidentiality exist.
· Parents of primary school children: the need for privacy and confidentiality will be discussed with you when making the appointment. Many families have rules at home about phones and devices in bedrooms or other private places, so this will need to be discussed with your child.
Kind Regards
The Student & Family Counselling Team
Laura Lamerton
Student & Family Counsellor
Student & Family Counsellor