Vacancies at Peponi House Preparatory School

Description

We are seeking a School Counsellor who has extensive experience of working with teenagers (boys and girls) and young children of school age

As a School Counselor, you will play a crucial role in supporting the academic, social, and emotional well-being of our pupils. You will work closely with other counsellors, pupils, parents, teachers, and other school staff to provide guidance, counseling, and resources to help our young people navigate through the challenges they may face.

Responsibilities

•  Support the school’s mental health strategy and contribute to its effective development as directed by the senior mental health lead.
•  Take a lead in developing mental health and wellbeing strategies for our oldest pupils with a focus in developing the mental health and wellbeing of boys.
•  Conduct individual counseling sessions with pupils to address their personal, academic, and social concerns.
•  Create and implement workshops and group counseling sessions to address common issues pupils face, such as self-esteem, stress management, and relationship issues.
•  Collaborate with teachers and other wellbeing staff to develop and implement intervention programs for at-risk students.
•  Provide crisis intervention and support to pupils in emergencies or difficult situations.
•  Maintain accurate and confidential pupil records, including counseling notes and progress reports.
•  Coordinate with the Deputy Head Pastoral to provide additional support and resources to pupils when necessary.
•  Provide training and support for youth mental health first aiders and wellbeing ambassadors.
•  Provide individual and group counselling to address emotional, social, and behavioural issues.
•  Develop and implement behaviour intervention plans for students with behavioural difficulties.
•  Support students in developing coping strategies, resilience, and social skills.
•  Conduct psychological assessments to identify students' needs, strengths, and challenges.
•  Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss and plan for students' needs.
•  Develop and implement crisis response plans in collaboration with school administration.
•  Provide support to students affected by traumatic events.
•  Uphold the school's mission, values, and policies in all interactions and interventions.

Requirements

•  Minimum a degree in Counselling Psychology/ Certification from a recognized counselling association or body in Kenya, and certification with the counselling and psychologist board ministry of health (MOH).
•  Registered as a Counselling Psychologist
•  Minimum of 2 years of experience working as a School Counselor, preferably with teenagers.
•  Strong understanding of adolescent development and the challenges they may face.
•  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both with pupils and adults. The ability to be empathetic and compassionate.
•  Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of individuals, including pupils, parents, and the senior leadership team.
•  Knowledge of counseling theories, techniques, and best practices.
•  Experience conducting individual and group counseling sessions.
•  Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a caseload of pupils effectively.
•  Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical guidelines in counseling practices.
•  Strong commitment to continued professional development
•  Proven experience working as a School Counsellor, preferably within an International School Setting.
•  Experience in conducting psychological assessments and providing counselling services to children and teenagers.
•  Strong analytical and assessment skills.
•  Effective problem-solving and crisis management skills.
•  Cultural sensitivity and awareness.

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Role within the school:

To support teaching and learning

Teaching assistants are expected to meet the following standards:

• Personal and professional conduct
• Teaching assistants should uphold public trust in the education profession by:
• Having proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the school in which they work as professional members of staff.
• Demonstrating positive attitudes, values and behaviours to develop and sustain effective relationships with the school community.
• Having regard for the need to safeguard pupils’ well-being by following relevant statutory guidance along with school policies and practice.
• Upholding values consistent with those required from teachers by respecting individual differences and cultural diversity.
• Committing to improve their own practice through self-evaluation and awareness.

Knowledge and understanding

Teaching assistants are expected to:

• Share responsibility for ensuring that their own knowledge and understanding is relevant and up to date by reflecting on their own practice, liaising with school leaders, and identifying relevant professional development to improve personal effectiveness.
• Take opportunities to acquire the appropriate skills, qualifications, and/or experience required for the teaching assistant role, with support from the school/employer.
• Demonstrate expertise and skills in understanding the needs of all pupils (including specialist expertise as appropriate) and know how to contribute effectively to the adaptation and delivery of support to meet individual needs.
• Demonstrate a level of subject and curriculum knowledge relevant to their role and apply this effectively in supporting teachers and pupils.
• Understand their roles and responsibilities within the classroom and whole school context recognising that these may extend beyond a direct support role.

Teaching and learning

Teaching assistants are expected to:

• Demonstrate an informed and efficient approach to teaching and learning by adopting relevant strategies to support the work of the teacher and increase achievement of all pupils including, where appropriate, those with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Promote, support and facilitate inclusion by encouraging participation of all pupils in learning and extracurricular activities.
• Use effective behaviour management strategies consistently in line with the school’s policy and procedures.
• Contribute to effective assessment and planning by supporting the monitoring, recording and reporting of pupil performance and progress as appropriate to the level of the role.
• Communicate effectively and sensitively with pupils to adapt to their needs and support their learning.
• Maintain a stimulating and safe learning environment by organising and managing physical teaching space and resources.

Working with others

Teaching assistants are expected to:

• Recognise and respect the role and contribution of other professionals, parents and carers by liaising effectively and working in partnership with them. With the class teacher, keep other professionals accurately informed of performance and progress or concerns they may have about the pupils they work with.
• Understand their responsibility to share knowledge to inform planning and decision making.
• Understand their role in order to be able to work collaboratively with classroom teachers and other colleagues, including specialist advisory teachers.
• Communicate their knowledge and understanding of pupils to other school staff and education, health and social care professionals, so that informed decision making can take place on intervention and provision.

Key Tasks

•  To be aware of confident in termly/weekly/daily lesson plans as provided by the class teacher.
•  Preparation of resources as directed by the class teacher.
•  Reinforcement of concepts taught by the class teacher to small groups/individuals under the guidance of the class teacher. This may include working with less able/able children in all areas of the curriculum.
•  Assisting with general emotional needs of the children e.g. going to the lavatory, lost property, changing for games, changing reading books.
•  Reinforcing school behaviour policy including the giving of stars and cautions where necessary.
•  Keeping classroom resources in good order and completing inventories when required.
•  Assisting in functions such as plays, sports days and parties.
•  In the short term absence of the class teacher, the TA might cover the class teacher under the guidance of the next available line manager in the short term. Longer absence longer will probably require a cover teacher to be arranged if possible and practical. The TA will be expected to support and work with the cover teacher in such cases.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

•  Liaising with other TAs to ensure the resource room is stocked with cut paper etc.
•  Sitting at a lunch table on a daily basis.
•  Attending whole staff meetings every Friday lunch time.
•  Carrying out duties as laid down in the duty roster.
•  Assisting subject teachers as and when needed.
•  Attendance at all evening functions such as school concerts, plays and services after which transport home will be provided by the school.
•  TAs are more than welcome to volunteer for school trips as and when they wish.
•  TAs may be asked, during any non-contact time, to help with the supervision of children and other duties as deemed necessary by the teacher or members of SMT.
•  Liaison with parents will be required from time to time. Matters of a more difficult, serious or academic nature should be passed on to the class teacher or relevant member of SMT.