Counsellor

Wellington College International Hangzhou

OBJECTIVES

Wellington College International Hangzhou is seeking an experienced counsellor to ensure proper identification and provision of pupil’s mental health needs. The counsellor will work closely with the Head of Pastoral to ensure high quality education and improved standards of learning, achievement and efficiency for all pupils, based on the Wellington College philosophy and ethos. He/She must demonstrate an understanding of the wider curriculum and administration needs of education and support each individual pupil’s growth and development, encouraging them as Wellingtonians to be inspired, intellectual, independent, individual and inclusive.

MAIN PURPOSE

To contribute to the work of the school’s pastoral and student support teams by providing expert counselling and support to individual students and groups of students to help them to overcome emotional, personal and social barriers to learning and well-being.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide counselling support for students by:

• In collaboration with the pastoral leaders to evaluate the needs of referred students and determining the correct level of support that is required for each one;

• Managing a caseload of students who require confidential one to one counselling or therapeutic group work, ensuring that support is provided in a timely and time-bonded manner;

• Identifying next steps for students for whom the school has worked and who require further support.

• Maintaining accurate and detailed records of work undertaken with each student;

• Building positive relationships with the parents of students who are receiving support;

• To be a visible and known member of the staff community to students across the school such that they are aware of the support available.

Support the work of pastoral teams by:

• Developing schemes of learning for identified students to support positive mental health, well-being and barriers to learning;

• Proactively support the pastoral program through the delivery of assemblies that address issues related to well-being, emotional resilience and self-confidence, among other agreed topics;

• Being a source of informal support and provide formalised training for teaching and support staff that are providing support to students;

• Contributing to the pastoral daily operations by ensuring that all students that visit the team are dealt with professionally and are able to return to lessons, if appropriate, following an evaluation of their needs;

• Any other actions that are deemed necessary by the Head of Pastoral in order to develop the counselling department and provision at Wellington College Hangzhou.

Professionalism

• Proactively and accurately reporting safeguarding concerns;

• Maintaining an expertise in issues such as mental health, well-being and counselling strategies in order to be able to provide expert support to the students;

• Maintaining confidentiality, except in those circumstances outlined by the safeguarding policy;

• Maintaining high standards of professional practice, complying at all times with counselling regulatory body guidelines and pastoral team expectations.

• Attending supervision, training courses and team meetings as required.

Welfare and Discipline Matters

• To handle sensitively and in line with pastoral team guidelines and expectations and the safeguarding policy the support of students with social, emotional, behavioural, and mental health needs.

Leadership in Action

• Proactively participate in the well-being program across the whole school in close collaboration with key stakeholders.

Professional Development

• Seek out opportunities for professional development to support the role.

• Actively engage in CPD opportunities within the school/family of schools.

Collegiality

• Attend meetings designed to share information necessary for the smooth running of the school and the successful delivery of its programmes regarding students that are/may require counselling input.

• Behave at all times in a manner befitting a role model for the students of the school and in a manner that brings only respect to colleagues and the reputation of Wellington College Hangzhou.

Safeguarding

• Take seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, and to work together with others to ensure adequate arrangements within the school help to identify, assess, and support children who are suffering harm.

• Ensure the ongoing health & security for all Wellington College Hangzhou stakeholders

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Essential Desirable

Behaviour

• A clear and demonstrable grasp of theoretical bases underpinning the process of counselling

• The ability to show how the above informs the applicant’s approaches to counselling across the spectrum of human development

• A thorough knowledge of child protection and safeguarding in china

• Familiarity with SEND

• Flexible

• Objectivity

• Patient

• Non- judgemental

• Safe Presence

• Cooperative

• Inviting

• Bilingual

• Proven ability to remain calm under pressure

Skills and Knowledge

• Systematic record keeping

• To maintain a client centred approach, be approachable

• Enthusiasm for working with children and young people

• A mature and non-judgemental outlook

• Possess an understanding of the key issues impacting on young people’s lives today

• Ability to liaise as necessary with other agencies and individuals to help effect positive change based on the issues raised by clients

• Highly developed counselling skills through education and experience

• Problem Solver

• Excellent communication and listening skills

• Child Protection and Safeguarding certification

• Patience, tolerance and sensitivity

• Chinese Speaker and English Speaker

• Understanding of Child Development

• Culturally Sensitive

• Critical Thinking Skills

• Be committed to the concept of inclusive education and high expectations and achievements for all pupils

• Able to work well under pressure, exercise thoughtful judgement and display sensitivity

Experience

• Worked in a school environment

• Possess relevant experience in a helping profession, either paid or voluntary

• Experience of working and liaising with other agencies and with a diversity of client groups

• Worked in private practice

• Or worked in public practice

• Worked with children

• An enhanced Police disclosure

• Experience of organising workshops and providing training to others

Qualifications

Bachelor Degree in Counselling, Social Work, Human Services. Play Therapy or relevant degree or certification in a counselling field.

Master’s Degree in Counselling, Social Work, Human Services. Play Therapy or relevant degree or certification in a counselling field.

Please email us your CV and cover letter with a photo to jobs.hangzhou@wellingtoncollege.cn indicating the position you are applying for in the subject header.

To find out more go to https://www.wellingtoncollege.cn/career-opportunities/vacancies/