Workshop Description: Register Today
Confidentiality is the cornerstone of effective school counselling, yet maintaining it within a complex school ecosystem requires careful navigation. This session explores the ethical, legal, and practical dimensions of confidentiality in school counselling. Through scenario-based discussion, participants will examine how to honor student trust while upholding a school’s duty of care, legal obligations, and collaborative responsibilities. Designed for school counsellors, leaders, student support teams, and educators, this session promotes a whole-school approach to safeguarding that supports student wellbeing and professional integrity.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Articulate the ethical and legal foundations of confidentiality in school counselling, including key definitions and obligations
Identify and navigate the limits of confidentiality, particularly in cases involving harm, safety risks, and legal mandates
Balance the rights of students and parents by applying principles of informed consent and ethical decision-making
Explore practical strategies for collaborative practice that uphold confidentiality while ensuring effective student support
Reflect on their school’s current practices and consider steps toward a more aligned, transparent, and student-centered approach to confidentiality
Suggested Audience/s: School Counsellors, Leaders, Student Support Teams, and Educators
Fees: No cost for AISA Members
Facilitators:
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Driekie is a dedicated secondary school counsellor and designated safeguarding lead at the American International School of Lusaka. With a strong passion for child safeguarding, she actively contributes to the well-being of students and the school community. Driekie co-facilitates the AISA Child Protection Practice Group and is also in involved with the Global School Collaborative. As an advocate for student voice, Driekie strives to enhance inclusivity and engagement within the school environment, ensuring every student feels heard and valued.
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Elmeka brings both great passion and expertise to every position she has the opportunity to serve. She is dedicated to attending to the needs of the school community by providing preventative education, solution-focused therapy methods, and advocacy with intention and cultural competence. She is a seasoned educational psychologist with success in helping students achieve academic, social, and emotional learning goals for over 15 years.
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Andrea is an experienced international educator who currently works as the secondary social-emotional counsellor at the American International School of Lagos. Drawing on her classroom experience, Andrea understands the critical importance of fostering children’s social and emotional growth and is passionate about integrating social-emotional learning into the fabric of school life, ensuring that students receive holistic support for their development. She also plays an integral part in her school’s child protection team. As a lifelong learner, Andrea regularly seeks out opportunities to collaborate and deepen her professional development.
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Chanel is the Wellbeing for All Program Coordinator at AISA, where she leads initiatives in child protection, well-being, and student support. With over 20 years of international experience, she has held senior roles in aid and development organizations across Cambodia, New Zealand, the Pacific, and Kenya. Chanel specializes in developing evidence-informed approaches that address the practical needs of educators and students. She is also a registered psychotherapist in private practice in Brisbane and holds master’s degrees in Counselling and International & Community Development.