Counselling

Abstract

Just as every teacher is in some sense involved in the teaching of English, so every teacher is in some sense involved in guidance, counselling and pastoral care. At its simplest level, this latter involvement means the teacher is concerned with helping the child solve his personal problems and take decisions about how to lead his life. These problems and decisions will hinge on such issues as friendships with other children, relationships with parents and teachers, hobbies and leisure interests, moral values and choices, the best use of pocket money, and the most appropriate present to buy grand- mother for Christmas. At a more complex level, however, the concept of guidance, counselling and pastoral care means much more than this. It means taking an interest in the child’s deeper fears and anxieties, in his personality problems such as timidity, aggression and the like, in the way he thinks about himself (i.e. his self-concepts) and the value he places upon himself as a person (i.e. his self-esteem). It means getting to know him intimately, accepting him for what he is instead of harping unnecessarily upon his in- adequacies and failures, and showing him support and affection when needed. It means, in short, carrying out some of the functions of the wise and caring parent, and taking some responsibility for the child’s personal development and for his physical and psychological welfare.