School Counsellor - Generous Compensation

The Role

The School Counsellor, hereby referred to as the ‘Counsellor’ is responsible for providing a professional and confidential counselling service to our students, and guidance to academic staff to support students’ social, emotional and psychological wellbeing and their academic achievements. 

In addition, the Counsellor may be invited to support the teaching of PSHE, visit classes to provide guidance and to lead segments of school assemblies. The Counsellor plays an important role in career guidance, promoting positive attitudes to inclusion and mental well-being within the community. 

Responsibilities:

Counselling

• Plan and implement counselling for students (individual and/or groups) to help them develop self-awareness, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
• Within a counselling setting, helping students develop skills and behaviours critical for overall well-being.
• Develop therapeutic relationships based on students’ needs.
• Actively promote counselling awareness to the school community (students, staff and / or parents).
• Make referrals to external specialists based on need. 
• Provide career counselling and guidance when required.

Learning and Teaching 

• Organize developmental and preventative workshops for students, teachers and/or parents. 
• To periodically deliver high quality academic instruction that supports the class teacher in delivering PSHE lessons.
• To support and lead school assemblies when linked to PSHE and emotional guidance.

Professional Standards

• To maintain an active license from and registration with Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia.
• Abide by counselling ethics of Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia. 
• To adhere to school policies and to maintain supportive but professional relationships with students. 
• To ensure students understand and respect the boundaries between themselves and the Counsellor in order to provide a caring but objective level of support. 
• To support family members and students in a caring fashion, considering the needs, views and responsibilities of all parties dispassionately and equally. 
• Maintain accurate reports and proper record keeping for all counselling sessions. 
• To ensure support plans and meetings with parents are documented and shared according to best practice and school policy. 

Resourcing

• To keep leaders advised of resourcing needs and developments and to maintain, track and manage Counselling room and resources diligently so they are fit for purpose. 

Positive Behaviour and Welfare

• If deemed in the best interests of the child, to provide counselling until a child’s needs have been met. 
• All children at Sri KDU have a right to thrive; it is the responsibility of every staff member to put all children’s safeguarding, wellbeing and progress first by implementing policy and promoting shared school values.

Community Relations and Information

• To work closely and effectively with other staff members in the best interest of the student. 
• To secure family confidence by sharing necessary, accurate and timely information. To field parental concerns and questions and to direct, advise and intervene as appropriate.
• To lead parent events, such as parent forums, coffee mornings and workshops when requested.
• To develop and organize career awareness and education activities for students. This includes developing and maintaining relationships with tertiary educations and industry partners. 
• To meet agreed expectations for the quality and consistency of home school communications, including online platforms
• To ensure that meetings between team and community partners /families/ support departments are recorded and filed. 
• To liaise with Senior Leadership Team / Designated Safeguarding Lead promptly when concern is raised

Communications

• To advise teachers and parents, in coordination with the SENCO and Team around the Child, concerning behavioural, mental health and family issues.
• To contribute Newsletter updates when requested

Teamwork

• Arrive prepared for and contribute actively to student progress and support meetings
• To notify colleagues of changes promptly or in advance
• To be flexible and helpful in offering solutions
• To be open to taking part in team beneficial events outside of working hours, such as taking part in whole school CPD or socials.

Event Organisation

• To assist in the preparation, running, supervision and evaluation of school events
• To be proactive in suggesting and leading new events as part of a growing school

Mentoring

• To be open to mentoring, modelling, team teaching and observing in order to support colleagues by sharing expertise and knowledge.
• To maintain regular and appropriate counselling by an external counsellor

CPD

• To liaise with leadership on CPD opportunities for self and team, including online training courses.
• To self-assess and reflect in order to identify development areas for leadership.
• To deliver CPD to share best practice, including feeding back post course.

Requirements:

• Master degree from a recognized university or college, preferably with specialization in the field of guidance and counseling, and/or similar qualification;
• Registered licensed counsellor in Malaysia with Lembaga Kaunseling Malaysia
• Minimum 1-2 years Counselor experience in an international school setting
• Demonstrates positive influence and highly effective communication skills
• Advocates and supports local and school-based child protection policies
• Candidates who are fluent in Mandarin are preferred because the role requires them to interact with Mandarin-speaking parents and students.