POSITION DESCRIPTION COUNSELLOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS (YEAR 7- YEAR 12)

Transcription

1 POSITION DESCRIPTION COUNSELLOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS (YEAR 7- YEAR 12) THE COLLEGE Pymble Ladies College is a K-12 day and boarding school of the Uniting Church in Australia committed to providing quality educational opportunities for girls within the context of the Uniting Church ethos. The College is non-selective and welcomes girls of Christian and non-christian faiths. With 2000 students and more than 400 employees, Pymble Ladies College is a medium sized organisation which operates in a dynamic and varied environment. The Pymble 2020 vision was released in 2013 and one element of the vision is the provision of a personalised education for all girls that is universally acknowledged for its quality, innovation and excellent opportunities. This is underpinned by a strong focus on the development of an innovative and relevant academic and co-curricular curriculum that reflects individual and unique strengths, interests and desires of girls and young women in a global age. COLLEGE LEADERSHIP The Principal is responsible for the leadership and management of the College. However all positions play a vital role in shaping, influencing, implementing and evaluating College policy. Within this, the staff at Pymble have responsibility for demonstrating effective and positive behaviours and competencies, including the following: Strive to achieve the College vision, mission and goals Contribute to a culture of leadership that engenders transparency, responsibility and accountability Foster a commitment to continuous improvement Support the Uniting Church ethos Foster an environment where knowledge and information are valued and shared Represent the College in a positive and professional manner. THE ROLE Reporting Relationship The Secondary Schools Counsellor is a member of the counselling and pastoral teams and reports to the Deputy Principal through the Head of Student Wellbeing. 1

2 Position Statement The Counsellor supports the ongoing development of psycho-social skills to promote mental health and wellbeing. The Counsellor also supports the management of students with emotional and behavioural challenges. Through the whole child approach, the counsellor works as an integral part of the student s school team to support ongoing development in the promotion of learning and wellbeing. In this context, the Counsellor contributes to student wellbeing and education by supporting Heads of School in program design and delivery across the College. The Counsellor identifies, supports and refers for further treatment young people who struggle with mental health and related school/family issues. This role includes supporting teaching staff in the management of these students. The Counsellor works primarily during school term time, however, when necessary and in consultation with the Head of Student Wellbeing, is required to work outside normal hours and/or in the non-term time in response to student, staff, and pastoral care needs and to ensure professional standards and currency are maintained. Key Accountabilities The position responsibilities are summarized in the following areas: 1. Provide information to teachers and College leaders that supports their understanding of emotional and behavioural problems in students 1.1. Ensure that teachers are informed about the role of the Counsellor and understand the process for referral 1.2. Assist teachers to identify, understand and manage students with emotional and behavioural problems 1.3. Support teaching staff in the management of students with emotional and behavioural problems 1.4. Network within the school and remain accessible to teachers 1.5. Support and collaborate with teachers to deal effectively with student needs 1.6. Conduct and/or participate in development seminars within or external to the college outside of working hours and/ or term time. 2. Provide information to parents that supports their understanding of student mental health 2.1. Liaise with parents regarding referral and ongoing management of their child 2.2. Work to ensure ongoing collaboration between all key stakeholders in the management of students (i.e. parents, school staff, outside agencies) 2.3. Conduct and/or participate in development events for parents and carers outside of working hours and/or term time. 2

3 3. Provide support and information to students to assist with mental health challenges 3.1. Ensure that students understand the role of the Counsellor and the processes for accessing the Counsellor 3.2. Provide counselling for students who are referred for mental health challenges and consult with / refer to external professionals as appropriate 3.3. Encourage students to contact the Counsellor for guidance and advice not available from other key pastoral staff 3.4. Identify and manage students with emotional and behavioural disorders and provide recommendations for support from external specialists when required. 4. Promote mental health and resilience by advising on key programs as appropriate 4.1. Educate students about the issues relevant to mental health and adolescence and promote understanding of self-awareness 4.2. Provide mental health information to parents through seminars and presentations on college campus 4.3. Provide formal and on-the-job training for teachers in topics of student wellbeing and support strategies 4.4. Attend pastoral care classes to work in partnership with and/or provide coaching for teachers on wellbeing topics and strategies 4.5. Use clinical expertise to support Heads of School with program design and delivery of wellbeing programs across the College. 5. Administration and Communication 5.1. Maintain accurate and timely student records to professional standards 5.2. Attend Counsellor team meetings 5.3. Attend Wellbeing meetings with teachers across the college related to case management 5.4. Prepare reports for files, hospitals/referrals, and parents related to student needs 6. Professional Development, Training and Supervision 6.1. Maintain professional registration with the NSW Psychologists Registration Board 6.2. Maintain and adhere to Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct as dictated by relevant professional body Attend approved professional development courses to maintain membership of professional body 6.4. Maintain a network of external professionals to facilitate referrals 3

4 6.5. Attend Association of Independent Schools Counsellors networking meetings as appropriate 6.6. Attend PLC Counsellor supervision meetings fortnightly. 7. Risk Management 7.1. Report directly to the Principal on any matters relating to Child Protection 7.2. Ensure that mandatory reporting requirements are followed 7.3. Act, as necessary, to provide information to the Heads of the appropriate schools when relevant issues relating to risk management arise 8. Other required duties 8.1. Provide after hours on-call support to students in the boarding house as rostered / required 8.2. Attend co-curricular activities including school camps, retreats, excursions to support teachers and students 8.3. Participate in school administration and assembly duties, and other community events within the college 4

5 KEY COMPETENCIES 1. Professional qualifications in Psychology enabling professional registration. 2. Willingness to support the ethos and the values of the College and within this, lead by example. 3. Understanding of the academic and wellbeing needs of students as these relate to the learning and personal growth outcomes for students. 4. The ability to develop positive, professional relationships with staff. 5. Expertise in identification, formulation and counselling of students. 6. Ability to provide psycho-education about adolescent mental health to teaching staff. 7. Ability to identify appropriate external professionals for students requiring support outside the services of the specialist staff at the College. 8. Ability to collaborate with educators in formulating support programs for students. 9. Willingness to collaborate effectively with a broad range of key academic and wellbeing staff to enhance student outcomes. 10. Well developed communication and interpersonal skills. 11. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and professional currency. 12. Professionalism and discretion at all times in relation to confidential matters 13. Flexibility and commitment to the provision of a high-standard of professional care. 5