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.