Methodology
How the audit works
A transparent, repeatable way to measure the maturity of a school counselling program — and to see exactly what to improve next. No black box: here's every step, from your answers to your score.
The process, end to end
- 1
Assess
Rate 40 indicators across 8 domains on a simple 0–3 scale. Answers auto-save.
- 2
Score
Each domain is scored as a percentage of its maximum — transparent, no black box.
- 3
Band
Your overall score places the program in one of 5 maturity bands.
- 4
Report
Get evidence gaps, accreditation-readiness, a prioritised 12-month roadmap — and Anna, an AI advisor who has read your results.
- 5
Improve & re-assess
Act on the plan, then re-measure each year to prove progress over time.
The 8 domains
A comprehensive program is more than a set of activities. We group the work into 8 domains, each measured by its own set of indicators.
Leadership & Strategy
Mission, strategic alignment, review, resourcing, and accountability.
5 indicators
Tier 1 Wellbeing
Universal wellbeing curriculum, prevention, and whole-school education.
5 indicators
Tier 2 Intervention
Early identification, targeted support, and referral pathways.
5 indicators
Tier 3 Support
Crisis response, high-need support, risk, and case management.
5 indicators
Safeguarding
Policy, procedures, recording systems, training, and review.
5 indicators
Parent Engagement
Education, communication, consultation, and family partnership.
5 indicators
Data & Impact
Outcome measurement, evaluation, equity, and continuous improvement.
5 indicators
University & Careers
Careers education, planning, family support, and destinations.
5 indicators
Rating each indicator: 0–3
You rate every indicator on the same four-point scale, so scores stay consistent across the whole program.
No evidence this exists.
Started, informal, inconsistent, or undocumented.
In place, documented, and implemented regularly.
Embedded, reviewed, evidence-based, and improving.
How scoring works
Each domain's score is the total of its indicator ratings divided by the maximum possible, as a percentage:
domain % = (sum of indicator scores) ÷ (indicators × 3) × 100
Your overall score is the equal-weight average of the 8 domain percentages. Every indicator counts equally today; the model reserves a per-indicator weight for future tuning.
The 5 maturity bands
Your overall score places the program on a maturity ladder — from reactive, one-off support to leading, strategic practice.
Reactive
0–20%
Developing
21–40%
Established
41–60%
Strategic
61–80%
Leading Practice
81–100%
Anna — the AI advisor on your report
Every full report includes Anna, an AI advisor grounded in your results. She works from a summary of your program-level scores and bands — the same numbers shown in the report — so her advice is about your situation, not generic tips. Ask what to prioritise, or have her draft a board summary, accreditation evidence or a term plan from your data. She never sees or asks for student personal data, and her drafts are starting points for your professional judgement — not a replacement for it.
Try her on the sample report →Standards alignment & privacy
The audit's structure references the publicly known shape of comprehensive counselling frameworks. All indicator wording is original Faro360 content; we reference recognised standards by alignment, never by copying their text or tools. The audit measures the maturity of your program — it never collects student personal data.
Faro360 is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ISCA or ASCA. Their models and standards remain the property of their respective owners.