School Counselor

About the Role

This opportunity is for an experienced and empathetic school counsellor to join a close-knit and supportive school environment. Most learners in the school are in Early Years and Primary, so the focus of the post is on student well-being, emotional growth, and removing barriers to learning rather than guidance for careers or university pathways.

The school is looking for someone with a solid track record of supporting young children and students with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Direct experience in SEN support is required, and any extra training, certification, or qualifications in this area will be a strong advantage.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one and group counselling, respond to crises when needed, and deliver lessons that build social and emotional skills. Familiarity with RULER or similar approaches is considered an asset.
• Serve as the school’s safeguarding lead, helping maintain a secure environment and protecting student welfare.
• Work alongside the SEN support teacher to assist learners facing language challenges or additional learning needs, including input into Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
• Support students in overcoming emotional or psychological difficulties that may affect academic progress, and partner with teachers to apply suitable classroom support.
• Coordinate with teachers, parents, and school leaders to manage referrals and provide joined-up student support.
• Keep detailed records, review data to spot student needs, attend relevant meetings, and continue professional development.

Qualifications

• A minimum bachelor’s degree in Counselling, Psychology, or a closely related discipline is required.
• Applicants should have demonstrated experience working with young children and students with SEN.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities are essential.
• Additional credentials in SEN or child psychology are highly desirable.

Reporting Structure and Team Collaboration

The school counsellor will report directly to the Head of School and work within a small inclusion team together with the EAL/SEN Support Specialist. The counsellor will lead on student well-being, safeguarding, and emotional support, while the EAL/SEN Support Specialist handles instructional support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and English as an Additional Language (EAL).

Because the school is small, the role requires flexibility. Duties may shift depending on student needs and the combined expertise of the staff. In some situations, the counsellor may also take on additional SEN coordination or targeted intervention tasks, working closely with the EAL/SEN Support Specialist to provide well-rounded support.

Additional Information

The recruitment process may use technology tools with artificial intelligence capabilities to help manage communications and organize applications. Final hiring decisions are always made by a human member of the team. For privacy details, a policy is available from the employer.