Join Dr John Burns for this webinar as he unpacks the ethical complexities of dual and multiple relationships for school counsellors, sharing practical guidance to help counsellors and leaders navigate blurred boundaries with confidence.

School counsellors encounter more dual and multiple relationship dilemmas than counsellors in almost any other setting. In schools, a counsellor may also be a teacher, coach, camp leader, playground supervisor or mentor — sometimes to several members of the same family. These blurred roles can create ethical tension, risk to students, and uncertainty for counsellors.

Managing these boundaries isn’t just a thorny professional dilemma — it’s an ethical obligation under the codes of the major counselling professions, including psychology, social work and counselling.

This webinar will explore where and why multiple relationships become problematic in schools, and offer frameworks, questions and codes-based guidance to support sound ethical decision-making. We will draw on the new AHPRA Code of Conduct for psychologists, as well as relevant codes for social workers and counsellors.

Participants will gain:

• clearer understanding of dual/multiple relationship risks in school settings
• guidance on interpreting and applying ethical codes in real scenarios
• practical questions and decision-making principles to manage boundary dilemmas

This webinar is designed for school counsellors (psychologists, social workers and counsellors) and will also be valuable for school leaders who supervise or oversee counselling practice

About Dr John Burns

Dr John Burns is a clinical psychologist and social worker who has spent 25 years working as a school counsellor. He completed his PhD at Macquarie University, with a thesis that investigated the role of schools in the early detection of students with mental health difficulties. His professional passion is to see all school staff equipped to make a difference in the lives of young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.  

He has held numerous honorary roles, including Convenor of the Australian Psychological Society’s Psychologists in Schools Interest Group, and Convenor of the Association of Independent Schools New South Wales school counsellor network. He is the author of The No Nonsense Guide to Mental Health in Schools: What Every Teacher Can Do to Make a Difference.  

In his spare time, John is a mediocre guitar player and devoted fan of the Wests Tigers Rugby League team.

REGISTRATION FEE:

$39 per person

YOUR REGISTRATION INCLUDES:

• Access to 60 minutes of professional development

• Live access at 10am AEST (Brisbane time) on the 6th May 2026

• On-demand access for one month until midnight AEST 6th June 2026

• Certificate of attendance

TIME ZONE:

All event dates and times are listed in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) - GMT+10. Convert to your local time HERE.

WEBINAR TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

• Each registered ticket is valid for one person only. No split or shared registrations. 
• Access details will be emailed to all registered attendees 48 hours prior to the live event. For registrations made after this time, access emails will be sent within 24 hours of your registration being received. 
• All times noted relate to Australian Eastern Standard Time GMT+10
• For cancellations for any reason, including change of mind, the following terms apply
  • Cancellations must be made in writing to admin@illumelearning.com.au.
  • Cancellations made 15 days or more prior to the event will be eligible for a 50% refund. 
  • Cancellations made 14 days or less prior to the event will incur a 100% cancellation fee.
• Illume Learning takes no responsibility for emails not received due to errors or typos. Attendees should first check junk/spam folders and contact admin@illumelearning.com.au in the event access details are not received. 
• Access to the webinar content closes midnight AEST 6th June 2026, no exceptions.
• Refunds will not be offered in the event of non-attendance. 

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