School Counselor

The School Counselor is responsible for promoting and supporting the emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing of students and helping create a school environment where students feel heard, supported, respected, and able to learn.

The Counselor provides direct support to students experiencing emotional, social, behavioral, family, academic, or psychosocial difficulties; contributes to wellbeing programming; and works collaboratively with Safe School Officers, school leadership, and relevant stakeholders.

A. Student Counseling and Support

• Provide individual and, where appropriate, small-group counseling to students.
• Establish a safe, respectful, and confidential space for students to express concerns.
• Support emotional regulation, coping, communication, problem-solving, and help-seeking skills.
• Conduct age-appropriate wellbeing check-ins and identify students who may benefit from additional support.
• Support students experiencing trauma, grief, family difficulties, peer conflict, transitions, academic stress, or other psychosocial challenges.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and explain the limits of confidentiality.

B. Assessment, Referral, and Follow-up

• Identify needs that require support beyond school-based counseling and coordinate appropriate referrals to qualified mental health, medical, or psychosocial professionals.
• Follow up on referrals where appropriate to support continuity of care.
• Maintain accurate and confidential counseling records, including concerns, referrals, and follow-up.
• Escalate serious wellbeing or safety concerns through the schools established safeguarding and response mechanism.

C. Safeguarding and Child Protection

• Recognize signs of abuse, neglect, violence, bullying, exploitation, or other safeguarding concerns.
• Respond sensitively to student disclosures and follow established reporting and safeguarding procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality while recognizing that it cannot be guaranteed where there is a risk of harm or a safeguarding concern.
• Work collaboratively with the Safe School Officer and designated safeguarding personnel when a concern has a protection or safety dimension.

D. Professional Practice and Development

• Maintain appropriate confidential documentation and monitor student support plans.
• Participate in supervision, case consultation, and professional development.
• Maintain professional and ethical boundaries at all times.
• Contribute to the review and improvement of student wellbeing and counseling systems.

Role Boundaries: The Counselors primary role is emotional and psychosocial support and the promotion of student wellbeing. The Counselor is not primarily responsible for school discipline, investigation of safeguarding allegations, or enforcement of safety procedures; these fall within the schools broader safeguarding and management structures.