Emotional Guidance Counsellor

At The Perse School (Singapore), we cultivate a happy and nurturing environment, inspiring students to develop a lifelong love of learning and prepare for a fulfilling and successful future. Guided by The Perse Way—our values-driven educational philosophy developed over 400 years—we are committed to shaping exceptional learning experiences for the future.

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Emotional Guidance Counsellor to join our team. This position plays a central role in supporting the emotional wellbeing, mental health, safeguarding, and pastoral development of students across all ages within the school.

This role will commence in August 2026.

The Role
The Emotional Guidance Counsellor provides high-quality, student-centred counselling and wellbeing support for all students. The role works within a holistic pastoral and safeguarding framework, collaborating with school leadership, staff, parents, and external professionals.

Experience with internationally mobile young people and multicultural environments is essential.

Key Responsibilities

Student Counselling & Mental Health Support

• Deliver confidential short-term individual counselling and group interventions.
• Support students with anxiety, mood, social challenges, identity, academic pressure, grief.
• Conduct risk assessments, safety planning, and reintegration support.
• Maintain confidential records; refer to external providers when appropriate.

Safeguarding & Pastoral Care

• Serve as an active safeguarding team member with strong knowledge of child protection procedures
• Contribute to pastoral planning, crisis response, and multi-disciplinary student support
• Foster a culture of psychological safety and inclusion

Preventative Wellbeing Education

• Design and deliver workshops on resilience, emotional literacy, stressmanagement, digital wellbeing, healthy relationships, and transitions
• Contribute to PSHE/wellbeing curriculum and awareness campaigns
• Promote student voice and peer wellbeing initiatives

Parent & Staff Partnership

• Advise parents on adolescent mental health; facilitate parent workshops
• Deliver staff professional development on wellbeing, safeguarding, and mental health
• Support culturally sensitive communication with diverse families

Strategic Contribution

• Contribute to well being strategy, policy development, and evidence-informed practices
• Analyse trends and emerging student needs

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Master's degree in Counselling, Psychology, Psychotherapy, or related field.
• Professional registration (or eligibility) with a recognised body.
• Minimum 5 years' experience with adolescents in a school or youth mental health setting.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and intercultural competency.
• Experience with neurodiverse learners, crisis intervention, and suicide risk assessment.

Desirable

• International school experience; familiarity with internationally mobile families
• Training in CBT, ACT, Solution-Focused, Narrative, or trauma-informed approaches
• Knowledge of UK-style pastoral and safeguarding frameworks

Personal Profile

Warm, empathetic, and emotionally intelligent ;calm under pressure; culturally sensitive; highly discreet; collaborative ;reflective and evidence-informed; passionate about student flourishing.

Reporting Line

The role reports to Head of Student Wellbeing / Deputy Head Pastoral / Principal. Works closely with Heads of Year, Tutors, Safeguarding Leads, Learning Support, SLT, School Nurses, and external professionals.

Safeguarding:

The Perse School (Singapore) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All candidates will be subject to rigorous safeguarding checks, including reference checks, an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, and verification of qualifications and employment history.

As part of our commitment to safeguarding, all staff are required to uphold the school’s safeguarding policies, attend regular training, and promote a safe and inclusive environment for all students. Any gaps in employment must be explained, and candidates should be prepared to discuss their approach to safeguarding in education as part of the recruitment process.

Disclaimer

The statements above outline the general nature and scope of work for individuals in this classification. They are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Personnel may be asked to perform tasks beyond their usual responsibilities as needed.