Annual of social work, Vol. 31 No. 1, 2024.
Original scientific paper
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STUDENT COUNSELLING PRACTICE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PROFESSIONAL WORKERS
Valentina Šipuš
; University of applied sciences Ivanić- Grad, Croatia
Marina Milić
; Faculty of Law, Department of Social work, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Higher education policy emphasizes the social dimension of education, aimed at increasing the accessibility and affordability of education and raising graduation rates, particularly for disadvantaged students in higher education. Various measures support this goal, including guidance and counselling services. Student counselling services provide academic, career, and psychological counselling to support students who encounter various challenges and issues during their college studies, preparing them for a successful transition into the labour market. Over the past decade, Croatia has made significant efforts to establish support and counselling structures at higher education institutions. This paper aims to examine the characteristics of counselling practice from the perspective of counselling professionals and provide recommendations for its improvement. Data collection relied on semi-structured interviews, followed by thematic analysis. The research results indicate a notable impact of counselling services at higher education institutions. In fact, the demand for counselling has increased as the student population has become more diverse and aware of the opportunities and benefits of guidance and counselling. The paper also offers recommendations for improving the existing practice, such as enhancing the availability and coordination of student counselling services, increasing investment in infrastructure and human resources, and supporting the provision of quality and professional counselling services. Finally, the results reveal the principal challenges of formal student support services and point to possible avenues for improving the counselling practice in the future.
Keywords
social dimension of education; counselling; student counselling services
Hrčak ID:
321543
URI
Publication date:
23.9.2024.
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