School Counsellor at Banda School

Job Description

The School Counsellor will collaborate with teachers and parents on earlyidentification of pupils’ social/emotional needs and provide intervention where necessary. This is essential in:

1. Removing barriers to learning
2. Developing skills and behaviours critical for academic achievement
3. Developing skills and behaviours critical for social/emotional success

Job Purpose:

1. To contribute to the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare and personal care of the pupils.
2. Promote a caring and supportive environment where concerns can be explored.
3. Work with teachers to help with the overall development of the pupil.
4. The postholder will be expected to: Listen to the pupil, teacher or parent concerns about emotional or social problems.
5. Observe the pupil in his/her school environment and identify their strengths, concerns or areas of weakness.
6. Help the pupil process their concerns; plan goals and actions.
7. Provide unconditional support where appropriate.
8. Mediate conflict between pupils.
9. Interact with parents, seeking to understand how the child’s home life or situation may be affecting the pupil adversely in the school environment, or vice versa.
10. Monitor the progress of the pupil under the Counsellor’s care to observe if discussions and planned actions are helping; provide feedback to the pupil and parent; and obtain feedback from the involved teacher and/or parent.
11. Recommend appropriate psychological help if required and put the family in touch with external support – doctors, psychologists etc.
12. Develop and run small group sessions that address specific issues that arise. For example, friendship skills, conflict resolution, low self-esteem, anger management, school transitioning, handling grief/loss and managing anxiety.
13. Offer support and guidance to The Banda staff.
14. Be on call should a counselling emergency arise involving any member of the Banda school community.
15. Refer safeguarding or child protection concerns to the Banda’s Designated
16. Safeguarding Lead and maintain confidential records.
17. Observe confidentiality at all times.
18. Have knowledge of local mental health provision.
19. Be mindful of the School’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
20. To act in a responsible manner and be aware of the effects of one’s actions or inactions.
21. To keep up to date with research and developments of counselling in schools.
22. Deliver necessary training to staff when required.
23. Set up a drop-in clinic on the school site.
24. Work closely with pastoral leaders.
25. Attend meetings and undertake duties as reasonably requested by the Head.

The applicant must:

1. Be caring, approachable and able to fully engage with pupils, parents and staff
2. Be able to use initiative, show flexibility and be adaptable
3. Be a strong team player
4. Be punctual and organised
5. Display confidence in and possess a high level of written English
6. Present a clean Certificate of Good Conduct or International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC)