The National Centre for Guidance in Education (NCGE) will cease to operate from 1st September 2022. 
The NCGE and its Management Committee, Léargas, the Department of Education, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Solas and ETBI have been carrying out significant work since earlier this year to prepare for the reorganisation of guidance support. A Transitions Working Group and additional sub-groups have been meeting regularly to co-ordinate the reorganisation.

For further information relating to ongoing and future support in place, click HERE

Practitioner Resources

The resources contained on this page are intended to support you and learners / clients.

  • The most recent 10 resources uploaded (accross all areas of practice) are displayed below
  • Select your 'Practice Area' and press GO to display ALL content for that area ONLY
  • Then filter by the additional categories that will subsequently display in a second dropdown box
  • If you know the title / general description of the resource you are looking for, type into the 'Keyword' search box and press GO
  • Many resources are provided in English AND Irish (GA indicates 'as Gaeilge')

FEATURE IMAGE COLOUR KEY: Blue: Post Primary - Purple: Further Education & Training - Green: European/International

A number of the resources provided are editable templates', after downloading you will need to have the appropriate software installed on your device in order to customise these resources.
For example MS Word, Adobe Acrobat, MS PowerPoint

YOU CAN ACCESS A SHORT VIDEO GUIDE TO NAVIGATING THIS SECTION HERE. If you have any queries about these resources please e-mail: ncgeinfo@ncge.ie

A Checklist for Guidance Counsellors: transitioning back to school in academic year 2021-2022

This resource gives Guidance Counsellors ideas for how to ‘transition back’ and ‘settle in’ to school for academic year 2021-2022. This resource is not intended to be prescriptive; it aims to provide a starting point for discussions and points of action, in line with recent publications.

This checklist resource includes some key points / areas of consideration for Guidance Counsellors on the following seven elements of practice:

  1. Checking-in with where I ‘left off’
  2. General reflections / points of action for this academic year
  3. Update myself on National policy / publications
  4. Reflecting on Local School Policy
  5. Reflecting on Local Structures / Teams
  6. Updating Local Supports
  7. Reflect on Student Needs in our school


Post Primary
23/08/2021

NCGE

  1. File NCGE-PP-GC-Checklist-Sept2021-EN.docx

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Accredited grades and associated choices (2021)

This information sheet collates and summarises key information for students and parents of the Leaving Certificate class of 2021.
This sheet contains information on:

  • Written Exams and Accredited Grades
  • Appealing Written Exams and Accredited Grades
  • Key CAO information
  • Sources of further information and support

All information is correct at the time of publication.
Additional information will become available after the publication of this resource.
Guidance Counsellors. Students and parents are advised to consult:



Post Primary
23/08/2021

NCGE

  1. File NCGE-PP-Accredited-Grades-Choices-Revised-EN.docx

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Supports for Students Returning to School

This resource is for use with any group but is particularly suitable for Junior Cycle students returning to school after an extended period.  
It is designed to bring awareness of the key people and supports available to students during these challenging times.
It is based on the importance of every young person identifying at least 'one good adult' based on 'My world survey. National study of youth mental health in Ireland' research conducted by Barbara Dooley and Amanda Fitzgerald (2012). 

The resource can be printed and distributed to students.
You can prepopulate / edit the Word version if required.



Post Primary
06/04/2021

NCGE

  1. PDF icon NCGE-PP-Information-Sheet-Support-4-Students-Returning-to-school-PDF-EN.pdf
  2. PDF icon NCGE-PP-Information-Sheet-Support-4-Students-Returning-to-school-PDF-GA.pdf
  3. File NCGE-PP-Information-Sheet-Support-4-Students-Returning-to-school-Word-EN.docx
  4. File NCGE-PP-Information-Sheet-Support-4-Students-Returning-to-school-Word-GA.docx

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'School Closures January 2021: Interactive Discussion on Digitalised Guidance'

12th January 2021

This webinar provided an opportunity for an interactive dialogue between schools and the NCGE regarding ‘Digitalised Guidance'. Guidance Counsellors and school management were provided with an opportunity to discuss and ask questions.
In addition, resources to support good quality guidance planning and practice were highlighted.

You can access the accompanying presentation below and view the webinar recording on Vimeo by clicking the 'Resource Link'



Post Primary
12/01/2021

NCGE / Tim Geraghty (NAPD)

  1. PDF icon NCGE-PP-Webinar-Jan2021-Digitalised-Guidance-EN.pdf
Winter/Spring 2021 Webinar Series
Resource Link

Supporting Outgoing Students (the Leaving Certificate class of 2020)

1st September 2020

This webinar aimed to prepare Guidance Counsellors with all information needed to support the Leaving Certificate class of 2020 in terms of receiving their calculated grades, appealing the results, sitting the examinations and receiving their offers.

You can access the accompanying presentation below and view the webinar recording on Vimeo by clicking the 'Resource Link' 

An additional accompanying resource 'Calculated Grades and associated choices: Information for LC2020 Students and Parents' is available directly under this post.



Post Primary
01/09/2020

NCGE / NEPS (David Carroll, Educational Psychologist)

  1. PDF icon NCGE-PP-Supporting-Outgoing-Students-Presentation-EN.pdf
Autumn 2020 Webinar Series
Resource Link

Psychological First Aid - Supporting Students - Leaving Certificate 2020

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a psycho-social tool used to support people at times of crisis. 
This narrated PowerPoint presentation developed by NEPS and aimed at Guidance Counsellors , provides a framework which can be applied when supporting students who may be distressed  upon receiving the Leaving Certificate calculated grades on Monday, Sept 7th.



Post Primary
01/09/2020

NEPS

  1. File NEPS-PP-Psychological-First-Aid-Supporting-Students-Leaving-Certificate2020-EN.pptx
Submitted Resource
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Calculated grades and associated choices

This document collates and summarises key information for students and parents of the Leaving Certificate class of 2020. This sheet contains information on: 

  • calculated grades
  • appealing calculated grades
  • sitting exams in November 2020
  • CAO offers
  • how to access support


Post Primary
31/08/2020

NCGE

  1. File Information Sheet -LC-Class2020-EN.docx
  2. File Information Sheet -LC-Class2020-GA.docx
Autumn 2020 Webinar Series
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An ABC of digitalised Guidance & links with pedagogy

27th August 2020

This webinar aimed to reassure Guidance Counsellors that they can be confident in their provision of digital guidance. 
The practice of providing Guidance online or over the phone was discussed in a practical way with links to pedagogy and Guidance training.

You can access the accompanying presentation below and view the webinar recording on Vimeo by clicking the 'Resource Link' 

An additional accompanying resource 'Setting the Scene: ‘lights camera action ‘– an ABC of online Guidance delivery' is available directly under this post.



Post Primary
27/08/2020

NCGE / Aisling Fleming (School of Human Development - DCU)

  1. PDF icon NCGE-PP-ABC-Online-Guidance-Presentation-EN.pdf
Autumn 2020 Webinar Series
Resource Link

Setting the Scene: ‘lights camera action ‘– an ABC of online Guidance delivery

A self-reflection checklist for Guidance Counsellors to consider and check if they are ready to begin to provide Guidance online and highlight any areas that require more planning or practice.



Post Primary
26/08/2020

NCGE

  1. PDF icon NCGE-PP-Online-Guidance-ABC-EN.pdf
  2. PDF icon NCGE-PP-Online-Guidance-ABC-GA.pdf
Autumn 2020 Webinar Series
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Guidance and Returning to School for Academic Year 2020-2021

25th August 2020

This webinar set the scene for academic year 2020-2021 and supported Guidance Counsellors with their planning and organisation as they return to work. All relevant and contemporary issues e.g. the concept and practicalities of blended learning are addressed.

This webinar provided content and guidance on:

  • Adapting the Whole School Guidance Plan to include digitalised guidance.
  • Protocol for one-to-one Guidance Counselling (including contracting/record-keeping and what happens if the call gets disconnected
  • How to target/prioritise students.
  • Planning issues and what to discuss/agree with school management
  • Self-care for the Guidance Counsellor
  • Outline of programme of CPD
  • A ‘checklist’ for the Guidance Counsellor to support them with the transition back to school

You can access the accompanying presentation below and view the webinar recording on Vimeo by clicking the 'Resource Link' 

Additional accompanying resources

  • Digitalised Guidance Planning (template)
  • A Checklist for Guidance Counsellors: transitioning back to school in academic year 2020-2021

...are available directly under this post.



Post Primary
25/08/2020

NCGE / Dr Michael Redmond (JMB)

  1. PDF icon NCGE-PP-Webinar-Guidance-Returning-School-Presentation-EN.pdf
Autumn 2020 Webinar Series
Resource Link