Public Administration & LegalLegal, social and cultural professionalsISCO 2635
family planning counsellor
Family planning counsellors provide support and counselling to adults and adolescents on issues such as reproduction, contraceptive methods, pregnancy or termination of pregnancy, in compliance with the legislation and practices. They also provide information about maintaining optimum health practices, sexual disease prevention and treatment recommendation referrals, working in collaboration with the professional doctors.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (50)
counselling methodscounselling methodsCounselling techniques used in different settings and with various groups and individuals, especially concerning methods of supervision and mediation in the counselling process.legal requirements in the social sectorlegal requirements in the social sectorThe prescribed legislative and regulatory requirements in the social sector.client-centred counsellingclient-centred counsellingPractice that encourages clients to concentrate on how they feel at the present moment during the counseling session in order to search for the most appropriate solutions.supervision of personssupervision of personsThe act of directing one individual or a group of individuals in a certain activity.social sciencessocial sciencesThe development and characteristics of sociological, anthropological, psychological, political, and social policy theories.cognitive behavioural therapycognitive behavioural therapyThe solution-focused approach to treating mental disorders oriented towards solving problems by teaching new information-processing skills and coping mechanisms.reflexionreflexionThe way to listen to individuals, to summarise the major points and clarify what they are feeling in order to help them reflect on their behaviour.reproductive healthreproductive healthThe reproductive processes, functions and system at all stages of life under safe and legal conditions, childbearing, modern contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and female genital mutilation.human psychological developmenthuman psychological developmentThe human psychological development across the lifespan, theories of personality development, cultural and environmental influences, human behavior, including developmental crises, disability, excepti...psychologypsychologyThe human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.behavioural therapybehavioural therapyThe characteristics and foundations of behavioural therapy, which focuses on changing patients` unwanted or negative behaviour. It involves studying the present behaviour and the means by which this c...sex educationsex educationPrograms targeting human sexual reproduction, emotional relations between sexual partners, birth control and human sexuality in general.social justicesocial justiceThe development and principles of human rights and social justice and the way they should be applied on a case by case basis.psychological theoriespsychological theoriesThe historical development of counselling and psychological theories, as well as the perspectives, applications, and interviewing and counselling strategies.help clients make decisions during counselling sessionshelp clients make decisions during counselling sessionsEncourage clients to make their own decisions related to their problems or inner conflicts by reducing confusion and allowing clients to reach their own conclusions, with no bias whatsoever.respond to individuals' extreme emotionsrespond to individuals' extreme emotionsReact and help appropriately in case of extreme emotional reactions of individuals in a crisis situation, extreme distress or who are traumatised.provide social counsellingprovide social counsellingAssist and guide social service users to resolve personal, social or psychological problems and difficulties.advise on family planningadvise on family planningProvide advice on the use of birth control and methods of contraception available, on sexual education, prevention and management of sexually transmitted diseases, pre-conception counselling and ferti...apply quality standards in social servicesapply quality standards in social servicesApply quality standards in social services while upholding social work values and principles.advise on pregnancyadvise on pregnancyCounsel patients on normal changes occurring in pregnancy, providing advice on nutrition, drug effects and other lifestyle changes.deliver social services in diverse cultural communitiesdeliver social services in diverse cultural communitiesDeliver services which are mindful of different cultural and language traditions, showing respect and validation for communities and being consistent with policies regarding human rights and equality ...address gender-related issues in family planning counsellingaddress gender-related issues in family planning counsellingInform the client on gender-related topics related to family planning by encouraging them to decide on their own sexual and reproductive health choices or to bring partners into family planning counse...demonstrate leadership in social service casesdemonstrate leadership in social service casesTake the lead in the practical handling of social work cases and activities.communicate professionally with colleagues in other fieldscommunicate professionally with colleagues in other fieldsCommunicate professionally and cooperate with members of the other professions in the health and social services sector.follow health and safety precautions in social care practicesfollow health and safety precautions in social care practicesEnsure hygienic work practice, respecting the safety of the environment at day care, residential care settings and care at home.promote social changepromote social changePromote changes in relationships between individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities by taking into consideration and coping with unpredictable changes, at the micro, macro and mezzo ...promote human rightspromote human rightsPromote and respect human rights and diversity in light of the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of autonomous individuals, taking into account their opinions, beliefs and values, an...provide education on family lifeprovide education on family lifeProvide culturally sensitive health education and services, focusing on women, family and community and promoting healthy family life, and pregnancy planning.assess social service users' situationassess social service users' situationAssess the social situation of service users situation balancing curiosity and respect in the dialogue, considering their families, organisations and communities and the associated risks and identifyi...provide counselling on abortionprovide counselling on abortionProvide information and counselling services to young women facing the decision of undertaking abortion, discussing about the causes and consequences and helping them make an informed decision.relate empatheticallyrelate empatheticallyRecognise, understand and share emotions and insights experienced by another.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...manage social crisismanage social crisisIdentify, respond and motivate individuals in social crisis situations, in a timely manner, making use of all resources.perform therapy sessionsperform therapy sessionsWork in sessions with individuals or groups to deliver therapy in a controlled environment.apply socially just working principlesapply socially just working principlesWork in accordance with management and organisational principles and values focusing on human rights and social justice.promote inclusionpromote inclusionPromote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive envi...maintain records of work with service usersmaintain records of work with service usersMaintain accurate, concise, up-to-date and timely records of the work with service users while complying with legislation and policies related to privacy and security.encourage counselled clients to examine themselvesencourage counselled clients to examine themselvesSupport and encourage the clients to analyse and be aware of some aspects in their life that may have been distressing or impossible to tackle so far.report on social developmentreport on social developmentReport results and conclusions on society's social development in an intelligible way, presenting these orally and in written form to a range of audiences from non-experts to experts.organise relapse preventionorganise relapse preventionHelp the patient or client identify and anticipate high risk situations or external and internal triggers. Support them in developing better coping strategies and back-up plans in case of future diffi...undertake continuous professional development in social workundertake continuous professional development in social workUndertake continuous professional development (CPD) to continuously update and develop knowledge, skills and competences within one`s scope of practice in social work.refer social service usersrefer social service usersMake referrals to other professionals and other organisations, based on the social service users' requirements and needs.communicate with social service userscommunicate with social service usersUse verbal, non-verbal, written, and electronic communication. Pay attention to the specific social service users' needs, characteristics, abilities, preferences, age, developmental stage, and culture...maintain a non-emotional involvementmaintain a non-emotional involvementKeep a broader perspective and stay non-attached to the emotions and feelings expressed by the client during counselling sessions.maintain the trust of service usersmaintain the trust of service usersEstablish and maintain the trust and confidence of the client, communicating in an appropriate, open, accurate and straightforward way and being honest and reliable.have emotional intelligencehave emotional intelligenceRecognize ones own and other people`s emotions, distinguish correctly between them and observing how they can influence one`s environment and social interaction and what can be done about it.cooperate at inter-professional levelcooperate at inter-professional levelCooperate with people in other sectors in relation to social service work.accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.manage stress in the work placemanage stress in the work placeCope with sources of stress and cross-pressure in one's own professional life, such as occupational, managerial, institutional and personal stress, and help others do the same so as to promote the wel...build helping relationship with social service usersbuild helping relationship with social service usersDevelop a collaborative helping relationship, addressing any ruptures or strains in the relationship, fostering bonding and gaining service users` trust and cooperation through empathic listening, car...
Optional (3)
pharmacologypharmacologyPharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.sexual disorderssexual disordersThe range of sexual disorders such as sexual aversion disorder, hypoactive sexual desire disorder, and vaginismus and the effects of medication on sexual function.counsel patients on fertility treatmentscounsel patients on fertility treatmentsInform patients about the fertility treatment options available, their implications and risks in order to help them take an informed decision.
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AI Replacement Risk
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Quick Facts
ISCO GroupLegal, social and cultural professionals
Essential Skills50
Core Skills0