Prof Tom Collins, chair of DIT,ITB,THEA); Katherine Donnelly, Educational Editor Independent); Geoffrey Brown, NPCpp President and Beatrice Dooley, IGC President.

Student helpline remains open today

Published: Mon 20 Aug 2018, 7:04 AM

First round CAO offers will be issued to close to 60,000 Leaving Cert students nationwide this morning following the receipt of their Leaving Cert results last Wednesday - over 800 of whom attended Cavan schools. Many will have received offers but some may have not secured their first preference. With second round offers due this Friday, this can be a confusing time for students and their parents as to what career path or course to persue next. They are being advised that the National Parents Council Leaving Certificate Helpline remains open until Wednesday to anyone who is seeking career advice.
The phone lines are staffed by qualified and experienced guidance counsellors who deliver one-to-one advice following the release of Leaving Cert results and the issuing of CAO offers. These guidance counsellors are members of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC).
Beatrice Dooley is the president of the ICG and she's urging anyone with any doubts, concerns or questions to call the free-phone number 1800 -265-165.

Last year, the Leaving Certificate Helpline received a total of 1,635 calls covering 4,308 queries from all around the country. On results day, the focus of the calls was on points, rechecks, accepting an offer, failing a subject, repeating, viewing of scripts, disappointment, advice/support from counsellors. Offer days calls included course information, preference order, no offer, help for parents/guardian dealing with their disappointed child, anxious thoughts, advice on options like FET, Apprenticeship, Private colleges, UCAS, Round 2, available places and how to pay registration fees.

Ms Dooley also urges students and parents to speak with their career guidance counsellor in schools. "Your guidance counsellor will be in school or available by telephone/email to answer your queries, furnish you with the requisite information and support you through this important decision-making phase of your lives," she said.

The helpline also remains open until Wednesday, August 22, on 1800-265-165.

This year the initiative was sponsored by the Department of Education & Skills, The Irish Independent and hosted in Croke Park courtesy of the GAA Community Programme.