School Counsellor

Taaleem is dedicated to the protection and welfare of children. We uphold high standards in child safeguarding practices and expect all staff to share this commitment. Candidates selected for employment will undergo several background checks, including the provision of quality references, verification of relevant qualifications, identification checks, and police clearances, which may include checks from overseas.

Job Purpose:
The School Counsellor plays a crucial role in fostering the social, emotional, personal, and academic development of all students. Acting as an advocate for students, the Counsellor takes a proactive approach by collaborating with teachers, parents, colleagues, and both local and international communities to equip students with the resources needed to engage with the curriculum effectively, ensuring their academic success and overall wellbeing.

Key Relationships (Internal and External):
- Senior Leadership Team
- Whole School Counsellor
- School Staff
- Parents and Students
- External Agencies and Service Providers

Key Accountabilities:
Communicate, build relationships, and inspire confidence among all stakeholders

The Counsellor achieves this through:
- Ensuring that staff are adequately trained and supported regarding common student wellbeing issues.
- Establishing a clear communication channel for parent inquiries and concerns, offering guidance and connections to external resources when necessary.
- Engaging in regular discussion forums on topics relevant to parents.
- Actively participating in all Taaleem Job-a-Like meetings.
- Providing relevant reports on student matters to Year Leaders and the Secondary Leadership Team.
- Cultivating trusting partnerships with external service providers.

Delivery: Individual Student Planning
In collaboration with teachers and parents, assist students in setting meaningful goals and developing effective strategies and skills to achieve them:
- Identify specific goals and create strategies for achieving these objectives.
- Guide teachers and parents in understanding assessment results and creating Individual Learning Plans (ILPs).
- Utilize assessment data to pinpoint individual student needs and inform goal-setting and targeted interventions.
- Accurately interpret assessment data and present findings clearly to parents and the Inclusion Team.
- Conduct formal observations to enhance student support planning.
- Explain and clarify statistical concepts used in assessment tools.
- Ensure appropriate use of assessment data, avoiding over-interpretation and maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Make recommendations based on evaluation results.

Responsive Services
Provide counseling to individual students and small groups based on identified needs:
- Collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team to assess and address counseling needs.
- Offer counseling support as necessary (e.g., for anxiety, grief, trauma, family separation).
- Assist students in creating clear, practical behavior plans that target specific concerns.
- Advocate for students, promoting their wellbeing and ensuring they are heard.
- Consult effectively with students, parents, colleagues, and other professionals.
- Gather and prepare necessary information prior to consultations.
- During consultations, interpret information and communicate ideas effectively.
- Propose various strategies and interventions.
- Respect diverse opinions and foster a spirit of collaboration.
- Coordinate the development and execution of action plans.
- Encourage feedback and input from relevant stakeholders.

Implement an effective referral process within the Inclusion Team framework:
- Assess the need for and make appropriate referrals.
- Maintain an updated list of local community referral resources.
- Support students and parents throughout the referral process.
- Collaborate with external agencies and assist in implementing their recommendations.

Accountability
Deliver a comprehensive and balanced counseling program that addresses student needs in collaboration with school staff:
- Maintain a database of student consultations and interventions.
- Conduct needs assessments to identify systemic social and emotional needs for individuals and groups.
- Follow established priorities within the counseling program framework and in line with the school curriculum.
- Utilize strong organizational skills to:
- Operate a program aligned with the academic year, providing workshops to parents on relevant topics (e.g., child development, transitions).
- Set and adhere to timelines.
- Implement and evaluate an effective counseling program, using feedback for continuous improvement.
- Clearly promote the philosophy, priorities, and practices of the counseling program.

Professional communication and interaction
Foster positive interpersonal relationships with students:
- Encourage a positive self-image in students.
- Create an environment of open communication.
- Interact respectfully and supportively, making an effort to connect with all students.
- Handle confidential information and sensitive situations with discretion.
- Build constructive relationships with all colleagues.
- Collaborate with colleagues in planning counseling activities and share resources.
- Actively participate as a core member of the Inclusion Team, working effectively with multidisciplinary specialists.
- Collaborate with school administration to implement necessary policies, such as child protection.
- Contribute to the overall development of the counseling program as a member of the whole school counseling team.
- Maintain positive relations with parents/guardians.
- Work alongside parents to prioritize the best interests of students, fostering an open communication climate.
- Address conflicts constructively.

Professional Responsibilities:
Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development:
- Stay updated on new developments in the field and engage in further learning through memberships in professional organizations, workshops, and conferences.

Exhibit professional and responsible work habits:
- Carry out responsibilities promptly and accurately as per the established job description.
- Utilize available technology to manage workloads and as a resource, adhering to ethical and legal standards.
- Promote cultural diversity and inclusivity in school policies and interpersonal relationships.
- Uphold professional ethical standards.
- Maintain confidentiality appropriately.
- Advocate for equity concerning gender, ethnicity, and student abilities.

Person Specification:
Education: Certification in Counselling, Psychology, or Social Work

Experience:
- Minimum three years of experience in a school setting or similar experience working with schools and students in counseling roles.
- A bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related area.
- Familiarity with the developmental, emotional, social, and educational challenges faced by children and young people.
- A dedicated and creative professional with excellent organizational capabilities.
- Strong interpersonal skills, capable of effectively engaging with students, staff, families, and professionals.

Competencies:
- Exceptional communication skills, maintaining high professional standards in both written and spoken English.
- Organized and capable of meeting deadlines.
- Proficient in IT skills.

Attributes:
- Knowledgeable, reflective, inquisitive, and a thinker.
- Empathetic towards the school’s values.
- Committed to learning and leadership.
- Solutions-oriented, believing in the potential of all students.
- Dedicated to personal development.
- Caring and open-minded.
- Views leadership as a service to others.
- Culturally aware and sensitive to intercultural dynamics.
- Possesses a sense of humor and humility.
- Conscientious and motivated by challenges.
- Resourceful, effective communicator, and a risk-taker.
- Able to communicate effectively to both large and small groups.
- Innovative and creative in mindset.
- Principled and balanced, remaining composed and responsible under pressure.
- Resilient in facing setbacks and adaptable to changing conditions.
- Always prioritizes the needs of the school.