School Counsellor

Overview
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced School Counsellor to make their mark in a growing school in the heart of Singapore. The successful applicant will be a member of the Coordinated Wellbeing Team and will contribute to the day-to-day life of the school. The School Counsellor provides a range of counselling and guidance services to students from age 5 to 18 and works closely with students, parents, teachers and other school staff to address academic, personal and social issues. The role also involves helping students develop skills and coping mechanisms to thrive academically and personally.
Key Responsibilities
Respond effectively to crises affecting students and staff
Provide mental health and behavioural counselling to students
Recognize and appropriately address individual students’ socio-emotional challenges
Submit referrals to outside agencies as necessary for students’ well-being
Coordinate and facilitate groups for students, such as for improving social skills or addressing behavioural challenges
Complete regular reports for services provided, such as session notes and incident reports
Collaborate with teaching staff to determine how best to meet individual students’ needs
Work with school faculty and staff to develop plans for maintaining the well-being of individual students and of the student population as a whole
System Support
Develop suitable school counselling programme including a system for needs analysis, early identification and referral of students with mental health issues and social, emotional and behavioural problems
Advise school management on school counselling matters
Provide consultation as well as planning and conducting training for staff and parents on pertinent mental health issues and skills for first-line intervention and support
Network with relevant external professionals and community agencies
Evaluate and report to the school management on the state of student mental health in the school, and the effectiveness of the school counselling programme
Preventive Programme
Develop and conduct small and large group psycho-educational sessions for students on mental health issues and healthy coping strategies
Develop and make mental health resources available for students, parents and staff
Lead on increasing awareness of mental health and behavioural issues with faculty staff
Responsive Services
Provide individual and group counselling to students
Conference with staff, parents and external professionals and agencies on students being counselled, and conduct home visits where necessary
Look into the referral of students and their families to community resources or external professionals, where needed
Provide direct crisis intervention and follow-up to students affected by critical incidents
Maintain case consultation records and proper documentation
Provide regular updates to school management and leaders on the progress of students being seen for counselling
Guardianship Students
Be the key point of contact for Guardianship students, their parents and Guardians
Manage and support the Guardianship students in their academic, social and co-curricular needs
Conduct home visits to the Guardian properties to ensure their home life supports the personal needs of the students and their academic progress
Conduct annual meetings with guardians to share expectations, standards and safeguarding protocols
Meet with the school cohort of guardianship students fortnightly
Be responsible for record keeping and incident management pertaining to guardianship students
Qualifications
At least a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in counselling
Knowledge of multiple counselling approaches and best practice
3+ years of experience working as a counsellor with children
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Empathy, patience and sensitivity to others’ needs
An ability to connect with students of diverse backgrounds
Strong interpersonal skills
An ability to work effectively in a team and collaborate with other school professionals
EtonHouse International School Orchard
is committed to safeguarding and safer recruitment with the intention of promoting wellbeing for all members of our school community. As a school and employer, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our safer recruitment policy aims to ensure that the appropriate checks are made for all potential staff who will come in contact with our students, as part of a transparent and equitable recruitment policy.
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