Social and Emotional Counselor
Summary
The School's Social and Emotional Counselors provide professional guidance within our diverse international school environment to students who seek emotional and social help and support. This role works as part of an effective Whole School Support Team that includes the Learning Support and English as an Additional Language (EAL) teachers. A key aspect of this role, tied to the school’s current Vision for Learning, is to ensure that BFIS is committed to developing kind, honest, respectful, and responsible students by continually upgrading our programs that lead to strong student self-esteem, knowledge about self, and their ability to make good choices. Developing intercultural competency is at our core.
As members of a CIS and MSA-accredited school and an IB Authorized World School, all staff are professionally accountable for their reflection and teamwork towards these bodies' learning standards.
Directly Reports to: Head of Student Support Services
Roles and Responsibilities
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Empowers students to seize their potential and learn and be involved in the school community deeply.
Routinely models and promotes Restorative Justice practices.
Proactively contributes to student experiences that ensure that all students feel fully seen and included.
Promotes a student and staff culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice for all.
Promotes a student and staff culture where students feel valued, respected, and included in our learning community.
Actively works to help students learn and understand the complexity of difference, to challenge prejudice, and promote social justice for all.
Guidance Curriculum
Lead, teach, and build on the advisory and wellness curriculum continuum for personal and social-emotional development in collaboration with the other Elementary/Secondary Counselors, secondary school leadership team, Grade Level Leads, and advisory program staff.
Develop and implement a cohesive parent education program, encompassing best practices for parenting, relational aggression, cyber-safety/wellness, young adulthood self-sufficiency, child protection, and compassionate and collaborative communication.
Organizing and running the BFIS Buddy program for students new to Secondary.
Supervising and advising the MS Student Council to enable students to learn to communicate effectively, take action, and demonstrate positive social leadership.
Preventative and Response Services
Provides individual and group counseling to students with emerging or identified needs.
Provides open hours and appointments during school hours for BFIS students who wish to seek counseling.
Organizes and maintains up-to-date data, meeting notes, and professional documentation related to students in their care.
Is a member of the Child Protection Team and ensures the safeguarding policy is implemented.
Collaboration and Communication
Works with the Student Support Services team, parents, and teachers to triangulate students' needs and implement the school's Response to Intervention Model (RTI).
Provides professional advice and help to staff on matters concerning the emotional and social needs of the students
Provides information to the school community about the counseling services offered.
Child Protection
Is a key member of the School's Child Protection team, implementing the philosophy and practice of the school's Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy.
Professionally deals with disclosures and referrals in collaboration with the school's Child Safeguarding Lead and wider Child Safeguarding and Protection Team.
Uses confidentiality appropriately and in the best interests of children in line with counseling certification best practices
Skills and Requirements
A degree from an institution of higher learning in School Counseling or a degree in a relevant subject/assignment area with a postgraduate qualification from an accredited institution of higher learning in School Counseling.
Licensed to practice School Counseling services by a relevant body.
Proven experience of working effectively in a similar role.
The experience and drive to join a team working towards creating a research-based educational environment.
A collaborative practitioner who values teamwork.
Remains current in professional practices and developments, information technologies, and educational research applicable to their area.
Demonstrate a strong research-based understanding of learning support and enrichment, EAL, and counseling in International Schools.
