Student Counsellor

The School Counsellor is responsible for providing professional, confidential and age-appropriate counselling and wellbeing support to students across the school. The postholder will contribute to a safe, inclusive and supportive school environment where students are able to develop emotionally, socially and academically.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individual counselling and emotional support to students experiencing personal, social, emotional or school-related difficulties.
• Conduct age-appropriate counselling sessions using evidence-informed approaches.
• Develop appropriate support plans based on students' identified needs.
• Support students experiencing anxiety, stress, friendship difficulties, family changes, bereavement, low self-esteem, emotional regulation difficulties and other wellbeing concerns.
• Provide short-term targeted interventions and refer students for specialist support where required.
• Promote students' resilience, self-awareness, emotional regulation and positive coping strategies.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality in accordance with school policies and safeguarding requirements.
• Follow the school's safeguarding, child-protection, confidentiality and information-sharing policies.
• Work as part of the school's safeguarding and child-protection framework.
• Report safeguarding concerns promptly to the designated safeguarding lead in accordance with school procedures.
• Participate in safeguarding meetings and case discussions where appropriate.
• Work closely with Heads of Year, Form Tutors, Heads of Department, SENCO/Inclusion staff and pastoral leaders.
• Communicate professionally with parents and carers regarding appropriate aspects of student wellbeing and support.
• Identify when a student's needs exceed the scope of school-based counselling.
• Maintain accurate and confidential counselling records.

Skills Description

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong listening and counselling skills
• Empathy and emotional intelligence
• Professional judgement
• Strong safeguarding awareness
• Ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality
• Excellent organisational and record-keeping skills
• Ability to build trusting professional relationships with students
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness
• Calmness and resilience when managing sensitive situations

GEMS Safeguarding

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are dedicated to creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments where students can thrive, and we expect all employees, volunteers, and partners to share this commitment. As part of our safer recruitment practices, all successful applicants will be subject to comprehensive pre-employment checks, including verification of identity, qualifications, employment history, professional references, and criminal record checks from all countries of residence and employment, in line with local and international safeguarding requirements. These checks may include enhanced disclosure, prohibition, barring, and overseas police clearance checks where applicable. We are committed to recruiting individuals who uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and child protection.