School Counsellor (Part-time) (Senior School)

We are seeking a professional, motivated and qualified School Counsellor to join our Pastoral team in the Senior School, working three days per week (0.6 FTE) from September 2024. The School Counsellor provides a high-quality, effective and accessible service for pupils, to support their emotional and mental health and well-being, including support with a range of emotional and psychological difficulties. Additionally the School Counsellor liaises with staff, parent, and outside agencies, to ensure effective strategies are deployed.

About our School

The British School of Amsterdam is a leading international school, providing world-class learning for children from 3 to 18 years. We follow an enhanced version of the National Curriculum for England, including GCSE and A Levels, and we have over 1,100 pupils enrolled across three school sections: Early Years School (3-6 years), Junior School (6-11 years) and Senior School (11-18 years). Our school is committed to providing the best of British international education to our students.

Key responsibilities 

• To provide a high-quality counselling service to pupils experiencing a wide range of needs. 
• To provide support, guidance and advice to parents, carers and the school. 
• To offer one-one sessions & participate in group work when required
• To observe confidentiality and to support the school’s endeavour to provide excellent teaching and learning for all pupils. 
• To liaise with safeguarding leads, fellow counsellors (including Lead Counsellor), and the pastoral team
• To liaise with outside agencies as necessary
• To keep case records and ensure their confidential storage, in accordance with GDPR
• Staff liaison and consultation to help devise inclusive strategies to support pupils
• Contribute to the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare and personal care of children and young people
• Support the implementation of safeguarding policies and procedures

Special Conditions

• It will be an expectation to access regular supervision with a suitably qualified practitioner and to seek and engage with CPD
• From time to time, there will be a requirement to attend training out of school hours

Qualifications, knowledge and experience 

• Relevant, professionally accredited counselling qualification, minimum HBO level, or equivalent international qualification. 
• Relevant recent experience in a school or college setting
• High level of fluency in the English language (spoken & written).
• Evidence of commitment to safeguarding & protecting the welfare of children
• The ability to develop and promote positive relationships
• Good interpersonal skills and strong listening and communication skills. 
• Ability to manage appropriate professional
• To manage appropriate professional boundaries in the relationships with students and their families. 
• Experience in working collaboratively, as part of a team
• Ability to work independently and manage own workload
• Experience in making contact with outside agencies
• Experience building relationships with staff and parents
• Ability to communicate appropriately with the school community
• Commitment to the belief that every child deserves the best education
• An understanding and belief in the power of inclusive education
• Ability to assess and identify specific needs of individual students & groups
• Awareness and understanding of mental health issues
• Knowledge & understanding of safeguarding processes
• Ability to cope with emotional situations and remain calm
• Readiness to seek help and support to manage professional issues
• An ability to relate well to people at all levels
• Able to maintain professional integrity
• Flexibility and resilience
• High level of organisation skills
• Demonstrates the highest professional standards
• Commitment to ongoing professional and personal development, and willingness to undertake training

Desirable experience, skills & abilities

• Experience working with multi-agency professionals, particularly in the Dutch system
• Good level of Dutch language skills (spoken & written)
• Evidence of safeguarding training & experience

Applications process

Candidates should use the TES application process to apply. Applications should include a covering letter, addressed to the Principal, Mrs Ruth Sanderson, and the contact details for two referees. The closing date for applications is Monday, 26 August 2024, and interviews will commence shortly after.

Safeguarding

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The offer of the role will be made subject to receipt of satisfactory references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification checks and other safeguarding checks, and overseas checks (where appropriate).

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

The British School of Amsterdam is committed to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that a diverse staff body reflects and supports the diversity of our pupils and wider society, and leads to a cognitive diversity which promotes excellence in all areas.