School Counsellor - Immediate start

Job overview 

School Counsellor 

About you:  

We are seeking to appoint a School Counsellor who is passionate, motivated, and committed to providing high-quality social and emotional counselling service to our students. A key part of this role is to provide counselling services on an individual basis, drop–in sessions, group sessions and will be pro-active in the school’s commitment to student wellbeing, including parent workshops. This is an exciting opportunity for a forward thinking, experienced and energetic professional to join an already thriving Wellbeing department. 

Job Purpose:   

The school counsellor will work closely with the school’s wellbeing and leadership team in planning and implementing a counselling system for students for the assigned school or assigned phases across the school. 

The candidate must:  

• Provide high-quality counselling intervention to students experiencing a wide range of emotional problems ensuring equality of access.  
• Provide support, guidance and advice to parents, carers, and the school.  
• Liaise with staff to ensure that the pupils receive the support they need.  
• Contribute to the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare and personal care of children and young people.  
• Conduct case consultations to school personnel and parents.  
• Train teachers and parents on counselling-related issues  
• Identify, devise, and deliver specialised guidance programmes for students who need additional help in social and emotional development.  
• Deliver therapeutic intervention based on the need of the individuals and provide referral to external services as needed.  
• Build deep and meaningful relationships with students, staff and parents and be able to facilitate and lead positive outcomes in all situations. 

Our Story 

Bloom World Academy was launched in August 2022 and educates children from ages three to 18 years. The school has been hugely successful, so far, in challenging convention and doing things differently in Dubai for the benefit of learners, families and teachers. 

Every aspect of learning and teaching at Bloom World Academy has been considered - how we do it, why we do it and the impact it is having. This has directly led to many firsts for the UAE. BWA is the first school in UAE to start at 9am; the first school where each student and their family can choose their own timetable (learning pathways), and a school where each student has a Learning Achievement Passport (LAP) – where the performance and progress is shared with the student and family several times a year. 

Most of all, BWA is a school which puts family-life first – we encourage parents to be in school, even work from school in our community café, attend regular workshops and to join our weekly, celebratory community forum. 

Our approach has been successful, we are exceeding all expectations, and therefore wish and need to appoint a notable number of creative and dedicated teachers, expert practitioners – who really want to apply their skills in a forward-thinking, creative school where the craft of teaching is highly valued. 

Careers and Guidance Counsellor - the Position 

The BWA Community 

BWA teachers are part of a community which is cohesive, spirited and sociable. BWA teachers enjoy genuine friendships with their colleagues, positive relationships with school leaders, who care for their well-being, and are a team in the true sense. BWA teachers are flexible, problem solvers and are not fazed by the more mundane challenges of developing a new school. At BWA teachers are expected to be good-humoured and build positive working relationships with families. All staff are encouraged to be creative and partake/lead community events. 

Required Candidate Profile 

• Proficient/advanced-level English language skills  
• Bachelor's degree in Psychology (full time course) or equivalent; Master's in Psychology would be an advantage 
• A minimum of 3 years experience working with children and young people 
• A minimum of 1 year post qualification experience 
• Knowledge of how local mental health and CAMHS works in the UK, or equivalent experience and expertise overseas 
• Knowledge of the Children’s Act, Federal No. 3 of 2016 and other legislation pertaining to children 
• Experience of delivering training courses and briefing sessions on mental health and wellbeing 
• Demonstrates professionalism, enthusiasm, commitment and integrity 
• Inter-cultural awareness, well-developed communication skills and excited to engage with students and parents