Policy, Policy Research in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

Research in Aotearoa New Zealand on the guidance and counselling provision—including the role of the guidance counsellor—in secondary schools is limited. This chapter provides the background to the current education environment including guidance and counselling and outlines research undertaken for support and advocacy purposes or with the intention of influencing policy decisions in relation to guidance and counselling. A 2013 Education Review Office (ERO) evaluation on the effectiveness of guidance and counselling in secondary schools found a wide disparity in provision, and all schools had students with many different problems—often complex—presenting for guidance and counselling.