Head of Pastoral Counselling at Mpesa Foundation Academy

REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF TEACHING & LEARNING

OVERALL ROLE PURPOSE

To lead student success through development and delivery of comprehensive School Pastoral Programs of developmental, preventive, remedial and responsive services. To lead pastoral counselling that addresses academic and personal/social development of students.

To collaborate with teachers, parents, and the Academy administration to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community for all students.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• ACADEMIC AND LEARNING INTERVENTIONS
• To lead a team of counsellors in the provision of counselling services, design and delivery of well-being programs and mentoring for those students struggling with social, emotional, and behavioural problems.
• Increase academics achievement by assessing barriers to learning and determining the best instructional strategies to improve learning.
• Promote wellness and resilience by reinforcing communication and social skills, problem solving, anger management, self-regulation, self-determination, and optimism.
• Conducts comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations of students referred for potential special education services.
• Administer, score, analyse and interpret intellectual, academic, social/emotional/behavioural and other psychometric assessments.
• Lead in the Identification and support for learning and behaviour problems that interfere with students personal success.
• Make referrals and help coordinate learner support service with external agencies
• Work with teachers, school administration and other stake holders
• Consults with teachers, school administration, parents and others, as appropriate, regarding the planning, implementation and evaluation of individual and group interventions designed to address students’ learning and behavioural problems.
• Consults with Faculty staff, administration and parents in resolving students’ academic, social, emotional and behavioural concerns.
• Collaborates with Academy staff and/or parents in developing, implementing, evaluating and maintaining behavioural and other interventions.
• Consults and collaborates with appointed mental health support, medical providers as appropriate.
• Provides technical assistance to Academy staff and parents regarding behaviour management, child development and special education procedures, as necessary and appropriate
• Implementation of the Child Safeguarding and Protection policy; working with the school administration and other relevant internal and external stakeholder to manage cases related to the same.
• Carry out psychological assessment of students and implement the relevant follow-up measures based on the assessments.
• Offer counselling to students referred for hospitalisation and ensuring cases are handled till completion.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensuring adherence of the Child Safeguarding and Protection policy
• Supporting Form Coordination especially in special cases where intervention is needed
• Promote school policies and practices that ensure the safety of all students by reducing school violence, bullying, and harassment
• Participates as crisis team member and provides crisis intervention for students in the advent of sudden illness or injury.
• Makes appropriate assessments and referrals for suspected abuse/neglect as a mandated reporter.
• Maintains communication with Academy administration, teachers, and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative
• Lead and initiate programs and actions which will meet the health and safety needs of students.
• Lead and initiate contact with and acts as a liaison between the home, school, appointed health and wellness agencies to enhance the health and wellness of the learners.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding all Academy and health-related issues.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s degree in Counselling, Psychology or B.ED majoring school psychology, Master’s degree will be added advantage
• At least 3 years’ experience in a similar role
• Professional KCPA (Kenya Counselors and Psychologists Association) membership that is up to date Valid professional registration with relevant professional body

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Timely and appropriate response to cases and effective follow up
• Well managed counselling programmes within the academy
• A mentally healthy school population with enough pyscho-social support systems
• Proper referral and involvement of relevant stakeholders in cases
• A well-informed staff who are able to do first line management of counseling
• Periodic large group sessions on emerging issues affecting students/the Academy