Janet Ingram – Guidance Officer

I have worked as a Guidance Officer for 7 years in Central Queensland and the Southeast Region and I have been privileged to work with many students and their families.  I love being able to help students to reach their potential by identifying barriers to success and working together to overcome the challenges they face each day at school.  Helping young people become the best versions of themselves by overcoming challenges and setbacks (perceived and real) is central to my practice.  It is my reason for getting up in the morning.

Students often ask me what kind of things can they talk to a Guidance Officer about. I reply,” Anything that is getting in the way of your learning right now.”  Students often go to their peers for advice but unfortunately young people do not have the life skills to advise on complex issues.  A Guidance Officer is an objective adult who can offer other perspectives in a confidential setting and provide support by addressing educational barriers, so the student can get on with the business of learning and shaping their futures.

Being a Guidance Officer in the secondary phase of learning gives me the opportunity to advise students in selecting university pathways and further training or work.  Nothing is more satisfying than watching a student end their schooling knowing what work/study will be meaningful for them, and how they will contribute positively to society. 

Guidance Officers are registered and experienced teachers with a Master’s Degree in Guidance Counselling. This unique expertise enables us to work in schools and help all students in the areas of academic achievement, social, personal and career development. Guidance Officers do not have the qualifications to diagnose mental health disorders, but we can suspect, in which case I encourage further support from external providers (psychologists) who can provide a deeper and more consistent treatment than I can provide at school.  If your child does see a psychologist my work with them does not end. I work collaboratively with teachers, parents and external agencies to negotiate personalised plans which support students with their mental health needs at school.

Due to an increased demand on the Guidance Service, appointments are essential.  From Week 5 onwards, I will be located in the new Student Support Services building.  To book an appointment please email me on  studentservicesripleyvalleysscc.eqeduu.au  or jingr34@eqeduu.au .  Alternatively, you can call 3819 5333 or visit the Student Reception in Administration in the meantime. 

More information on the services I provide can be found on the school website.

httpss:/ripleyvalleysscc.eqeduu.au/support-and-resources/guidance-officer

Helping students access the health care they need 

Starting from April 2022 secondary students at Ripley Valley State Secondary College will have access to a free GP clinic at school.  The GP clinic will be located in lower B block which is positioned next to Administration.  

What services will the GP be providing?

The doctor will provide students with the majority of the same services that GP's in the community do, including management of physical health, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health issues. Only secondary students enrolled at Ripley Valley State Secondary College will be able to access healthcare in our school’s clinic.

How can my child make an appointment with the GP?

Our school’s GP clinic will be open one day a week (TBA).  Initially appointments will be available from 9 to 1PM during class an break times.  

Appointments to see the school GP can be made either in person by seeing Mrs Pratt in the student services building or in the GP clinic on clinic days or emailing her on  GPbookingsripleyvalleySSCC.com.au

You will be advised of an appointment via text/email. A booking flow chart is shown at the end of this article.   A landline will be advised closer to the opening date of the clinic.

How much will it cost for my child to see the GP at school?

All visits with the school GP will be provided at no cost to students or their families. The GP will bulk-bill all appointments through Medicare, so it is important that your child brings their Medicare card or number with them to their appointment.

When can a young person get their own Medicare card?

Young people can apply for their own Medicare card when they turn 15 years of age. They will need to complete an application process through Services Australia. The GP can help your child with this process.

Where will my child’s medical records be kept?

The medical records will belong to the GP’s base clinic Bremer Medical Centre where they will be securely stored. The school will not be able to access your child’s medical records.

Can my child consent (agree) to their own medical treatment?
In Queensland, young people under the age of 18 can consent to their own medical treatment if they are determined to be a mature minor. Young people who are not deemed to be a mature minor cannot give consent to their own medical treatment and consent will be sought from parents/carers.

What does “mature minor” mean?

Mature minors are young people under the age of 18 years who are determined by a medical professional to be capable of providing informed consent for treatment of a particular health issue without having the permission of a parent or carer. 

How will the school GP decide whether a young person is a mature minor?

To decide whether a young person is a mature minor and can consent to their own medical treatment, the GP will consider a range of factors, including:

• the young person’s age;
• maturity in other areas of the young person’s life;
• independence – whether they live at home with a parent or carer, or support themselves;
• how serious the treatment is; and
• if the young person understands what their health issue is, why treatment is needed, what the treatment involves, what other options they have, things that might go wrong (like side effects from drugs, or other complications), and what happens if there is no treatment.

Any student at Ripley Valley State Secondary College who wants to make an appointment with the school GP can do so. The GP will then determine if the student is a mature minor for the health issue for which they are seeking treatment.

It is important to understand that this is the same process that would occur if your child were to see a doctor in any GP clinic in the community.

What if my child is not a mature minor?

The decision about whether a young person is a mature minor might be different depending on the nature of the health issue. If the GP decides your child is not a mature minor, they must get your consent before any medical treatment is provided.

What if my child already has a GP?

If your child already has a GP but would like to see the GP at school, your child’s medical records can be transferred. This is what happens in GP clinics in the community. This sharing of records is important and encouraged so that all health providers your child sees have up-to-date information. 

If your child is a mature minor, they can consent to the transfer of their own medical records. If your child is not a mature minor, consent to the transfer their medical records must be provided by their parent or carer.

Can I come to the appointment with my child?

Yes, if your child would like you to. Parent/carer involvement is encouraged.  We recognise that parents and carers can be an important source of support and information for young people in managing their health and wellbeing.

If your child is not a mature minor, then it is up to you as the parent/carer whether you wish to accompany your child to their GP appointment.

Will the GP involve me?

There will be many circumstances in which it will be helpful or necessary for you to be involved.

If your child is not a mature minor, the GP will always seek to involve you. If your child is deemed to be a mature minor by the GP, the GP may see them alone if that is what your child wants. However, the GP will often encourage your child to involve you in their care.

Can the GP refer (send) my child to other health services if needed?

Yes. In most instances, the doctor will encourage your child to include you in these referrals.

What if I don’t want my child to see a GP?

Firstly, you should talk about this with your child.  Secondly, discuss the matter with the school.  Generally, all secondary students will be considered mature enough to decide to see the GP on their own. The GP will then determine if your child is a mature minor for the reason they are visiting the clinic. This approach is the same for GP clinics in the community. 

Would I ever find out about my child’s GP visit?

If the GP decides that your child is a mature minor, their health information cannot be discussed with you or anyone else unless your child says it is OK to share, or the sharing of the information is permitted or required by law. This is called confidentiality.

The following are examples of when the sharing of health information is permitted or required by law:

• Your child consents to sharing the information.
• Sharing information is necessary to prevent a serious threat to public health, safety or welfare – e.g. your child has an illness that must be notified to the Department of Health.
• Sharing information is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious and imminent threat to any person’s health, safety or welfare. 

If your child is a mature minor, to maintain confidentiality, school staff are not able tell you when your child has seen the GP unless your child agrees, or the sharing of information is permitted or required by law.

Can the GP see other family members?

At this point in time, the GP can only treat students at Ripley Valley State Secondary College.   

What if my child is not eligible for a Medicare card?

The intention of providing a GP clinic at Ripley Valley State Secondary College is to provide students with free access to a GP, to make it easier for students to access the healthcare they need.

In rare situations if your child is not eligible for a Medicare card, they are still able to access the school GP free of charge and the school pays for this.  Use of the medicare card or number  is expected in the majority of cases. 

Janet Ingram