Social Emotional Counselor

**Position Objective**

The Student Support Department (SSD) is looking for a highly qualified school counsellor to join our team of multi-disciplinary professionals. This position implements a comprehensive school counselling program which utilizes a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) model by serving as a student advocate and working collaboratively to foster students’ academic achievement and social-emotional wellbeing.

**Responsibilities**

**The job holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young person’s for whom they are responsible, or with whom they come into contact will be to adhered to and ensure compliance with the relevant Cognita Safeguarding; Child Protection Policy and Procedures at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the role, the job holder identifies any instance that a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm either at school or at home, they must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead or to the Head or indeed to the Cognita Regional Safeguarding Manager so that a referral can be made accordingly to the relevant third party services.**

**Provides a wide range of services to students, their families, and teachers. Establishes positive, safe, and trusting relationships with students, their families, and teachers**
- Provides short-term counseling services to students with social-emotional concerns
- Facilitates small-group counseling services and other Tier 2 programs (i.e., CICO)
- Consults with families, faculty and staff by serving as an advocate for the child
- Establishes and maintains ongoing professional collaboration with service providers on and off campus in order to coordinate wraparound services for students at the tertiary level of support services

**Regularly assesses students’ social-emotional needs within the school environment**
- Utilizes classroom observations, interview/rating scales, and family questionnaires as needed to identify student need, modify supports, and report progress to parents, faculty, staff, and administration
- Summarizes assessment results and incorporates information into Student Support Plans

**Offers consultation to teachers, parents, and other service providers in order to promote social emotional wellbeing for all students**
- Participates on a multi-disciplinary team of professionals by utilizing a problem-solving approach
- Prepares and disseminates professional resources according to student need
- Offers ongoing support to faculty, staff, and parents to improve students’ overall school experience

**Serves as a case manager for students receiving support services**
- Gathers relevant background information related to students’ academic and/or social needs
- Maintains updated and accurate student files which adhere to high levels of confidentiality - Coordinates, facilities, and maintains records on meetings with parents, teachers, and internal/external service providers

**Serves as a primary contact for school crisis and/or safeguarding concerns**
- Provides a confidential avenue for identifying and responding to potential threats to child safety
- Assumes a key role on school-wide and divisional crisis response teams
- Documents communication and events surrounding child protection issues and coordinates with administration and external agencies as needed

**Participates and organizes school-wide program development to promote social-emotional wellbeing**
- Participates in and provides support for the Advisory Program/Social-Emotional Curriculum
- Prepares and delivers parent education training, faculty presentations and/or school or grade-level assemblies
- List key work activities to achieve this position’s objective. Limit to current essential duties and responsibilities.
- List in descending order of importance and preferably indicate percentage of time spent
- Use clear and concise language
- Closely related duties should be grouped together
- List duties that are infrequent and/or perform other duties as assigned or required

**Position Requirements**
- Minimum 12 years of experience working in schools as a school counsellor, social worker, or school psychologist
- Exceptional interpersonal communication and professional collaboration skills
- Must demonstrate flexibility, strong work habits, and a positive attitude
- Strong organizational skills and excellent command of the English language
- Proficiency in using computers and other forms of technology
- Strong references and attendance record
- Demonstrates the Stamford Values - Courage, Ingenuity, Compassion, Integrity

**Qualifications**

**Required**:

- Advanced degree in School Counseling, Social Work, Counseling Psychology, School Psychology and/or related field
- Previous training and/or certification in school counseling, school-based social work, or school psychology
- Previous training and/or experience working with secondary-aged students

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