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Documentation Toolkit for School Counsellors

References and further reading

Updated 2026-10-30 · By Meera Manikandan, Counselling Psychologist, Counseld

In shortThe toolkit draws on Indian law and guidance (the POCSO Act, CBSE’s POCSO circular, UMMEED, the DPDP Act 2023 and the Mental Healthcare Act 2017) and international guidance (the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ASCA’s ethical standards, the UK’s Keeping Children Safe in Education, and the HEEADSSS psychosocial assessment). Last checked October 2026.

Last checked: October 2026. Laws and guidance change. Check the current version and your school’s policy before relying on any of these.

India

  • Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, Sections 19 and 21 (duty to report, and penalty for not reporting).
  • Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Circular: Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012, including the role of schools. cbse.gov.in (PDF)
  • Ministry of Education / NCERT Manodarpan Cell. UMMEED: Guidelines for Schools (2023), including the School Wellness Team. hciwellington.gov.in/content/English_UMMEED.pdf
  • Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and DPDP Rules, 2025 (children’s personal data). Analysis: sflc.in
  • Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, Section 23 (confidentiality). Explainer: nyaaya.org

International

  • United Nations. Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 19 (protection from violence, abuse and neglect). ohchr.org
  • American School Counselor Association. Ethical Standards for School Counselors (2022). schoolcounselor.org
  • ASCA. Ethical Responsibilities FAQs (sole-possession notes and record keeping). schoolcounselor.org
  • ASCA. Legal and Ethical Issues in Referrals to Mental Health Providers (2020). schoolcounselor.org
  • UK Department for Education. Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025), on recording concerns, decisions and reasons. Guidance summary: thekeysupport.com
  • HEEADSSS adolescent psychosocial assessment. Child and Adolescent Health Service, Western Australia. cahs.health.wa.gov.au

Counseld Documentation Toolkit · Not a substitute for supervision, school policy or legal advice.

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