Circular No. 18/2025/TT-BGDĐT guiding the school counseling work and social work in schools.

CIRCULAR

Guidelines on school counseling work and social work in schools

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Pursuant to the Education Law No. 43/2019/QH14;

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of Local Administration No. 65/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 37/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2025, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 80/2017/NĐ-CP dated July 17, 2017 on a safe, healthy, friendly educational environment, and prevention and control of school violence;

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 110/2024/NĐ-CP dated August 30, 2024 on social work;

Based on the proposal of the Director of the Department of Students and Trainees;

The Minister of Education and Training issues this Circular guiding school counseling work and social work in schools.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Circular guides school counseling work and social work in schools.

Article 2. This Circular applies to general education institutions, regular education institutions, specialized schools, vocational education institutions, higher education institutions (hereinafter referred to collectively as educational institutions) and students, trainees, learners studying at these educational institutions (hereinafter referred to collectively as learners).

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

Clause 1. School counseling work and social work in schools are advisory and support activities aimed at helping learners resolve issues related to study; gender and social relations; psychology; life skills; career guidance, employment, entrepreneurship; policies and laws; social work services and other advisory and support issues.

Clause 2. Psychological difficulties of learners are psychological factors manifested in cognition, attitude, and behavior that arise during the learning and training process, hindering and negatively affecting the learner's activity results.

Article 3. Objectives of school counseling work and social work in schools

Clause 1. Enhance the ability of learners in preventing, recognizing difficulties, resolving them, and seeking appropriate assistance to overcome difficulties related to study, psychology, and social relations.

Clause 2. Develop life skills, strengthen willpower and resilience, improve physical and mental health; form appropriate attitudes in social interactions, contributing to the completion of the personality of learners.

Clause 3. Strengthen coordination between schools, families, society, and relevant organizations, units, and individuals regarding school counseling work and social work in schools.

Article 4. Principles for implementing school counseling work and social work in schools

Clause 1. Ensure the legitimate rights, safety, and confidentiality of information, the right to participate, voluntariness, and self-determination of learners.

Clause 2. Learners are at the center, without discrimination; ensure equality, objectivity, and standards between learners and those performing school counseling work and social work in schools.

Clause 3. Focus on strengths, respect individual characteristics and circumstances of learners; utilize existing resources of learners, schools, families, and society; be suitable to economic and social conditions and cultural features of each locality.

Clause 4. Ensure timely implementation when learners encounter difficulties and have a need for advice and support, with close coordination between schools, families, and society.

Chapter II

CONTENT, PROCEDURES, AND FORMS OF IMPLEMENTATION

SCHOOL COUNSELING WORK AND SOCIAL WORK

IN SCHOOLS

Section 1

CONTENT OF SCHOOL COUNSELING WORK

AND SOCIAL WORK IN SCHOOLS

Article 5. Counseling and support for students' academic issues

1. Determining academic goals; developing study plans.

2. Managing study time; selecting methods and approaches to learning.

3. Resolving academic difficulties.

Article 6. Counseling and support for students' gender and social relationship issues

1. Issues arising from age-related psychology, gender, gender identity, gender equality, reproductive health.

2. Counseling on matters related to friendships, romantic relationships, marriage, family, and community.

Article 7. Counseling and support for students' psychological issues

1. Prevention; early detection; responding to students' psychological difficulties.

2. Psychological counseling and consultation for students with psychological difficulties.

3. Connecting with psychological counseling services when necessary.

Article 8. Counseling and support for students' life skills issues

1. Cognitive skills group: self-awareness and self-protection.

2. Self-motivation and personal development skills group.

3. Emotional intelligence management and self-regulation skills group.

4. Social interaction and integration skills group.

5. Effective work skills group.

6. Environmental and community engagement skills group.

Article 9. Counseling and support for students' career guidance, employment, and entrepreneurship issues

1. Information on professions, fields of study, training programs, and labor market trends.

2. Skills in recognizing personal interests, aspirations, abilities, and circumstances suitable for career orientation and providing appropriate career guidance for students based on their age and educational level, considering scientific and technological advancements, innovation, digital transformation, and changes in the labor market.

3. Skills in choosing careers, job searching, applying for jobs, starting businesses, and connecting with employers.

4. Other career guidance and entrepreneurship activities suitable for the actual conditions of educational institutions.

Article 10. Counseling and support for students' policy and legal issues

1. Providing information on policies applicable to students.

2. Providing information on legal provisions related to students' duties and rights.

3. Providing information on legal provisions regarding crime prevention, law violation prevention, and social evils.

Article 11. Counseling and support for students' social work services

1. Providing information on social work services for students.

2. Offering social work services in schools for students according to regulations.

3. Connecting with organizations and individuals providing social work services according to regulations when necessary.

Section 2

PROCEDURE FOR IMPLEMENTING SCHOOL COUNSELING AND SOCIAL WORK SERVICES

AND SOCIAL WORK IN SCHOOLS

Article 12. Receiving, collecting, analyzing information, and identifying and classifying content requiring counseling and support for students

1. Educational institutions conduct surveys, reviews, interviews, evaluations, information synthesis, and early identification and classification of content requiring counseling and support for students.

2. Educational institutions determine causes, influencing factors, current situations, and forecast consequences of risks and difficulties faced by students.

Article 13. Developing and implementing the School Counseling and Social Work Plan for Students

1. Based on the information collected as stipulated in Article 12 of this Circular, educational institutions develop the School Counseling and Social Work Plan for Students (Model 01 attached to the Circular).

2. The School Counseling and Social Work Plan for Students includes the following main contents: objectives, content, forms, resources, locations, timing, task assignments, and collaborative forces for school counseling and social work implementation.

3. Educational institutions organize the implementation of the School Counseling and Social Work Plan for Students (Model 02 attached to the Circular).

Article 14. Inspection and Supervision of the Implementation of the School Counseling Work Plan and Social Work for Students

1. Educational institutions shall conduct regular inspections and supervision of the implementation of the School Counseling Work Plan and social work for students throughout the entire implementation process.

2. Based on the results of the inspection and supervision of the implementation of the School Counseling Work Plan and social work for students, educational institutions shall continue to implement or timely adjust the Plan (if necessary).

Article 15. Completion of the School Counseling Work Plan and Social Work for Students

1. For students who have resolved their difficulties, educational institutions shall cease school counseling activities and social work, and continue to coordinate with the student's family and relevant forces to monitor and ensure the maintenance of achieved results, providing timely assistance to the student when necessary.

2. For students who have partially resolved their difficulties, educational institutions shall continue to implement school counseling activities and social work for the students.

3. For students facing difficulties or having needs exceeding the capacity of the educational institution, the institution shall cooperate with the student's family to connect with service providers offering specialized school counseling services and professional social work services to provide advice and support to the student; subsequently, a Transfer Service Form for School Counseling and Social Work for Students (Form No. 03 attached to the Circular) shall be established.

Article 16. Reporting on the Implementation of the School Counseling Work Plan and Social Work for Students and Archiving Records

The Department of Education and Training, and educational institutions shall submit reports for the first semester and the academic year as follows:

1. Content of the report: Guidance work; implementation of the School Counseling Work Plan and social work in schools; results and difficulties, limitations; proposals and recommendations (if any).

2. Recipients of the report: Department of Education and Training, educational institutions; receiving authority: Ministry of Education and Training, Department of Education and Training.

3. Reporting periods: First semester report; annual report.

4. Methods of submitting and receiving reports:

Depending on the actual conditions of the reporting entity, the report may be submitted through one of the following methods:

a) A paper-based report shall be directly sent or delivered via postal service to the Ministry of Education and Training; or sent via fax;

b) An electronic report shall be sent through the email system, the administrative management electronic system of the Ministry of Education and Training (e-office system), the dedicated information reporting software system (if available), or other methods prescribed by law;

c) A report using software on the information reporting system of the Ministry of Education and Training, or the government's information reporting system, according to the schedule set by the government.

5. Deadline for finalizing data for reporting:

a) Mid-term report for the first semester: From the start date of the academic year until the end date of the first semester according to the annual academic calendar;

b) Annual summary report: From the start date of the academic year until the end date of the academic year according to the annual academic calendar.

6. Deadline for submitting reports:

a) In case of paper reports: Departments of Education and Training and educational institutions shall submit reports to the Ministry of Education and Training before January 31 and June 30 each year;

b) In case of reports submitted through the information reporting system of the Ministry of Education and Training: The deadline for agencies and organizations to submit reports is three working days after the finalization of the report data; the time for each level to compile and complete the report is three working days.

7. Report outline template: Form No. 4 attached to the Circular.

8. Educational institutions are responsible for archiving school counseling records and social work records in schools as prescribed. The records include four forms attached to this Circular.

9. Educational institutions shall provide counseling and support to students in specific cases according to the procedures for school counseling work and social work in schools as stipulated by the Ministry of Education and Training.

Section 3

FORMS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHOOL COUNSELING WORK

AND SOCIAL WORK IN SCHOOLS

Article 17. Direct Counseling and Support

1. Provide counseling and support to students at the School Counseling and Social Work Room within the school or at a suitable location based on the conditions of the school and the student.

2. Provide counseling and support to groups of students at the School Counseling and Social Work Room within the school or at a suitable location based on the conditions of the school and the students.

Article 18. Online Counseling and Support

1. Educational institutions provide counseling and support to students through online channels such as internal networks, the school's website, email, social media, telephone, or other information technology means.

2. Organize online counseling and support sessions for groups of students or the entire school.

Article 19. Establishing Systems for Receiving and Exchanging Information

1. Educational institutions establish a system for receiving information including suggestion boxes, hotlines, forms of using information technology, or through administrative staff, teachers, employees, lecturers to receive and understand information about risks and difficulties requiring assistance for students.

2. Educational institutions establish direct or online communication channels to regularly exchange information between school counseling and social work personnel and students, as well as their families regarding matters needing counseling and support.

3. Coordinate with families, society, and relevant agencies to promptly receive information about situations and risks involving academic, psychological, social relationship difficulties, or other difficulties faced by students.

4. Apply appropriate information technology methods based on the conditions of educational institutions in school counseling and social work activities.

Article 20. Organizing Communication Activities and Prevention Programs

1. Educational institutions coordinate with forces inside and outside the school to organize specialized meetings, extracurricular activities, clubs, forums, seminars, and other forms; provide information and materials to students on the contents of school counseling and social work activities.

2. Warn students about situations and risks involving academic, psychological, social relationship difficulties, or other difficulties.

Article 21. Providing Information on Policies and Laws

1. Educational institutions provide and update information on policies and legal regulations related to students.

2. Coordinate with relevant forces to implement school counseling and social work activities concerning policies and legal regulations related to students.

3. Recommend to competent authorities regarding policies and legal regulations related to students and promote the implementation of students' rights.

Article 22. Guidance on Using School Counseling and Social Work Services

1. Guide students and their families to seek and use school counseling and social work services, as well as the National Child Protection Hotline at number 111.

2. Connect and coordinate with service providers, experts offering school counseling and social work services to students.

3. Mobilize appropriate and lawful resources in providing school counseling and social work services to students in need.

Article 23. Organizing activities to support development for students

After conducting school counseling and social work activities, educational institutions organize development support and community integration activities for students including policy advice, psychological recovery, and other activities.

Chapter III

DUTIES OF ORGANIZATIONS, ENTITIES, AND INDIVIDUALS IMPLEMENTING SCHOOL COUNSELING AND SOCIAL WORK ACTIVITIES

CURRENT SCHOOL COUNSELING AND SOCIAL WORK TASKS

IN SCHOOLS

Article 24. Responsibilities of the People's Committee at the provincial level

1. Direct relevant agencies and organizations to arrange and allocate personnel for school counseling and social work activities in schools according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training on job positions, staff structure by occupational titles, and staffing norms in general education institutions and public specialized schools.

2. Direct relevant agencies and organizations to allocate funds and ensure material conditions and equipment according to regulations to serve school counseling and social work activities in public educational institutions under local management.

3. Direct relevant agencies and organizations to establish mechanisms for cooperation with the Department of Education and Training in implementing school counseling and social work activities in schools in public educational institutions under local management.

4. Direct the Department of Education and Training and related units to organize inspections and evaluations of the implementation of school counseling and social work activities by educational institutions under local management, and cooperation with organizations and individuals providing school counseling services and social work services in the locality.

Article 25. Responsibilities of the Department of Education and Training

1. Advise the People's Committee at the provincial level to build and implement policies and benefits for personnel engaged in school counseling and social work activities in schools that are appropriate to the socio-economic conditions of the locality.

2. Coordinate with relevant agencies and organizations to establish mechanisms for cooperation between educational management agencies, educational institutions, and relevant agencies and organizations in implementing school counseling and social work activities in schools.

3. Advise the People's Committee at the provincial level to allocate funds for the implementation of training and capacity building programs for personnel responsible for school counseling and social work activities in schools in educational institutions under their jurisdiction.

4. Organize inspections and evaluations of the implementation of school counseling and social work activities in schools in educational institutions under their jurisdiction.

Article 26. Responsibilities of the People's Committee at the district level

1. Guide the arrangement and allocation of personnel for school counseling and social work activities in schools according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training on job positions, staff structure by occupational titles, and staffing norms in educational institutions under their jurisdiction.

2. Ensure the allocation of budget, material conditions, and equipment according to regulations to serve school counseling and social work activities in public educational institutions under their jurisdiction.

3. Guide relevant agencies and organizations to coordinate with educational institutions in implementing school counseling and social work activities in schools in educational institutions under their jurisdiction.

4. Guide educational institutions and related units to organize inspections and evaluations of the implementation of school counseling and social work activities by educational institutions under their jurisdiction, and cooperation with organizations and individuals providing school counseling services and social work services in the locality.

Article 27. Responsibilities of the Head of Educational Institutions

1. For general education institutions and specialized schools: establish a School Counseling and Social Work Team/Unit within the school, consisting of: the school leader as the Team Leader; the permanent members of the School Counseling Team are full-time or part-time counseling staff; members include class teachers, youth league and team instructors, school health personnel, parents' representatives, and other members decided by the head of the general education institution. For vocational education institutions, higher education institutions, and continuing education institutions: establish a Team/Unit to carry out school counseling and social work activities, arranging key personnel to perform tasks as stipulated in this Circular.

2. For general education institutions and specialized schools: propose to the competent authority to arrange full-time counseling staff; if unable to allocate positions, sign labor contracts or arrange part-time teachers. Full-time counseling staff must meet all standards and fulfill duties as prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training. For vocational education institutions, higher education institutions, and continuing education institutions: ensure that personnel responsible for school counseling and social work activities participate in professional training and development programs on school counseling and social work; they enjoy internal expenditure regulations and other provisions of the educational institution. Personnel responsible for school counseling and social work at educational institutions are proposed for commendation according to laws on commendation and reward when achieving outstanding results in school counseling and social work activities.

3. Arrange a School Counseling and Social Work Room ensuring privacy, quietness, easy access, and suitability for organizing counseling and support activities; equip with facilities, equipment, materials, and learning resources as prescribed, meeting the requirements for implementing school counseling and social work activities.

4. Direct the development and implementation of plans for school counseling and social work activities; create conditions for management cadres, lecturers, teachers, and staff in educational institutions to participate in training and upgrading their professional skills in school counseling and social work; provide materials and training programs on school counseling and social work for management cadres, lecturers, teachers, and students.

5. Based on the actual conditions of the educational institution and the needs of learners, proactively implement appropriate content and forms of school counseling and social work activities.

6. Allocate funds from the unit's financial resources and other legitimate sources (if any) as prescribed by law to implement school counseling and social work activities.

7. Direct the coordination between the Team/Unit carrying out school counseling and social work activities and related forces within the school; coordinate between the school, family, political-social organizations, relevant agencies, organizations, individuals, and counseling service providers to implement school counseling and social work activities for learners.

8. For general education institutions and specialized schools: direct coordination with agencies, organizations, experts, scientists, and educational institutions meeting the conditions to enhance the capacity of those engaged in school counseling and social work activities; create conditions for psychology, social work, and sociology experts, lecturers, and students to practice and intern at managed educational institutions.

9. The head of higher education institutions with psychology, social work, and sociology majors participates in building materials and coordinating with provincial education departments to organize training and upgrading the capacity for school counseling and social work activities; coordinate with educational management agencies, educational institutions, and counseling service providers to carry out counseling and support activities in educational institutions; coordinate with educational institutions to organize for psychology, social work, and sociology experts, lecturers, and students to practice and intern.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 28. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from October 31, 2025.

This Circular replaces Circular No. 31/2017/TT-BGDĐT dated December 18, 2017 of the Minister of Education and Training guiding the implementation of psychological counseling for students in general education schools and Circular No. 33/2018/TT-BGDĐT dated December 26, 2018 of the Minister of Education and Training guiding social work in schools.

Article 29. Responsibility for Implementation

The Director of the Office, the Head of the Department of Students and Trainees, heads of relevant units under the Ministry of Education and Training; Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities; Directors of Departments of Education and Training; Chairpersons of People's Committees of communes and towns; relevant agencies, organizations, units, and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular./.