Outlines the context to the development of national standards in advice, guidance, and counseling. Reviews definitions of national occupations standards. Explains the approach to writing generic standards across the advice, guidance, and counselling fields. Examines ethics and equality in detail and generic standards imported from elsewhere.…

Current developments in the delivery of advice, guidance, and counselling to students in higher education are outlined. A range of possible consequences for higher education of the introduction of occupational standards in the advice, guidance, and counselling field is identified. Issues that higher education institutions and awarding bodies will…

The national context in which occupational standards and National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) have been developed is described. NVQ methodology is explained, and issues arising from NVQ implementation are outlined. Developments in accreditation within the contexts of counselling and psychotherapy and guidance for learning and work are…

A number of ethical principles and values that underpin occupational and professional standards are identified, alongside particular ethical positions that may be useful for clarifying ethical decisions. The paper is divided into three sections: (1) identifying occupational and professional standards and values; (2) an exposition of popular…