What legal responsibility does a counselor have regarding student safety?

The legal responsibility a counselor has regarding student safety is to inform parents or guardians of risks. Counselors are often in a privileged position where they learn about various issues affecting students, including safety concerns. When a student's safety is at risk or when there are indications of harm—whether self-inflicted or from external sources—it is critical for the counselor to communicate that information to the parents or guardians. This action allows families to be aware of potential dangers and to engage in appropriate interventions to protect their child.

While confidentiality is a fundamental ethical principle in counseling relationships, it is crucial to recognize that certain exceptions exist when it comes to student safety. Maintaining confidentiality does not supersede the need to disclose information when there is an imminent risk of harm. The ethical standards set forth by ASCA emphasize the necessity of balancing confidentiality with the need to keep students safe.

Other options, such as reporting all issues to the school principal or offering free counseling sessions, do not directly address the specific duty to ensure student safety, while the option about keeping all student records confidential does not take into account the critical exceptions that prioritize student welfare above confidentiality in emergency situations.