Further Information
The Head of Student Wellbeing & Community Welfare provides strategic leadership and oversight of the school’s socio-emotional counselling services across both campuses. This role line-manages the counselling team and works in close collaboration with the Pastoral Coordinator, Learning Support, teaching staff, the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), and Primary and Secondary Principals.
As a member of the School Leadership Team, the role is responsible for ensuring that the social, emotional, and learning needs of all students are effectively supported. This is a highly visible, whole-school position requiring strong relationships with students, families, and staff to ensure continuity of care and to promote student wellbeing, growth, and success.
Your duties
1. Coordination and Leadership (30%)- Lead and coordinate counselling services across the school, advocating for student wellbeing and support services
- Line manage the socio-emotional counselling team, including performance development and appraisal processes
- Promote and develop initiatives in social justice, equity, inclusion, and restorative practices
- Collaborate with Admissions regarding applicants requiring additional support services
- Ensure robust systems are in place to maintain confidentiality of student records and professional documentation
- Facilitate and contribute to regular student support meetings
- Serve as a member of the School Safeguarding Team
- Serve as a member of the Crisis Management Team
- Develop and maintain the Counselling Handbook and relevant sections of the school website
- Collaborate regularly with the School Nurse regarding students with medical and emotional needs
- Support student transitions into and out of the school, including participation in admissions processes where appropriate
- Partner with Primary and Secondary leadership on transition programmes (e.g. Grade 5 to Grade 6)
- Support the implementation and development of the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programme
- Identify and address professional development needs within the counselling and student support teams
2. Secondary School Counsellor (70%)- Work collaboratively with teachers, support staff, and leadership to support student wellbeing
- Maintain a strong understanding of day-to-day student experiences and emerging challenges
- Participate in student support meetings and contribute to planning for individual students (e.g. IEPs, interventions)
- Design and deliver wellbeing lessons aligned with the SEL curriculum in collaboration with the counselling team and Pastoral Coordinator
- Provide individual and group counselling using a range of appropriate interventions, including:
- Crisis intervention
- Social/emotional counselling
- Mediation
- Academic support
- Parent/family guidance
- Meet regularly with the Pastoral Coordinator to ensure aligned support for students of concern
- Partner with Secondary leadership on:
- Mentor group placements
- Student progression (e.g. Grade 10 to 11, IB pathways, HSD considerations)
- Provide consultation and strategies to staff managing complex student situations
- Refer students through established support processes where needed
- Support staff wellbeing through guidance, resources, and confidential consultation
- Contribute to ongoing discussions with leadership regarding student wellbeing and support services
- Provide training and guidance to staff in inclusion and student support practices
- Take on occasional teaching responsibilities related to wellbeing, modelling best practice
Your profile
Qualifications and Experience- Master’s degree in counselling, psychology, family therapy, school counselling, or a related field
- Professional membership (e.g. American Psychological Association, American School Counselor Association, or equivalent)
- Extensive knowledge of child and adolescent development
- Proven counselling experience in a school setting
- Demonstrated leadership and management experience in an educational environment
- Experience in teaching wellbeing, psychology, or related subjects
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience advocating for inclusion and student support services
- Understanding of the needs of multilingual/EAL learners
- Understanding of the challenges faced by students in transition
Key Competencies- Leadership and team development
- Strategic thinking and systems design
- High emotional intelligence and discretion
- Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills
- Commitment to safeguarding and student wellbeing
- Cultural competence in an international school environment