School Counsellor - Student Services

Gems Education UAE; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Gems Education UAE is seeking a full-time School Counsellor in Dubai to support student well-being and academic confidence across all phases. The role involves providing individual counselling, building trusting relationships with students, and working collaboratively with staff and parents.

The ideal candidate should have relevant qualifications and experience, excellent communication skills, and a strong commitment to fostering a positive school culture. Join us to make a real difference in the lives of students!

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in counselling, psychology, school counselling, or social work.
• Experience as a School Counsellor or similar role.
• Strong understanding of child and adolescent development.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual counselling and guidance to students.
• Develop support plans and intervention strategies for students.
• Lead group sessions on well-being and resilience.

Skills

School counselling

Student well-being

Emotional support

Academic well-being

Child development

Crisis response

Education

Relevant qualification in counselling, psychology, or related field

Job description

Role Overview

School Counsellor – Student Services in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This full‑time role supports student well‑being, academic confidence, emotional development, social growth, and future readiness across all school phases (FS1 to Year 13) at GEMS Education.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individual counselling and guidance to students based on age, need, and development stage.
• Support students with emotional, social, academic, behavioural, adjustment, friendship, confidence, and personal well‑being concerns.
• Build trusting relationships with students while maintaining professional boundaries, confidentiality, and safeguarding expectations.
• Work with teachers, year teams, inclusion staff, senior leaders, and parents to identify students requiring additional support.
• Develop appropriate support plans, intervention strategies, and follow‑up actions for students needing counselling or well‑being assistance.
• Lead group sessions and age‑appropriate well‑being activities that promote resilience, self‑awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, and positive relationships.
• Support students during transitions, including early years adjustment, phase changes, new admissions, examination periods, and preparation for future pathways.
• Contribute to a whole‑school culture where well‑being, inclusion, innovation, and future readiness are embedded into everyday learning.
• Help staff understand student well‑being needs and recommend practical classroom strategies where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate, confidential counselling records, case notes, reports, and communication logs in line with school policies.
• Liaise with external professionals, specialists, agencies, or support services when additional intervention is required.
• Participate in student services meetings, safeguarding discussions, well‑being reviews, and multidisciplinary planning.
• Support parent communication through guidance meetings, well‑being conversations, and agreed follow‑up actions.
• Assist with crisis response, urgent student concerns, and sensitive situations in a calm, ethical, and professional manner.
• Contribute to well‑being policies, preventive programmes, student support systems, and school community initiatives.

Ideal Profile

• Relevant qualification in counselling, psychology, school counselling, educational psychology, social work, or a related field.
• Previous experience as a School Counsellor, Student Counsellor, Well‑Being Counsellor, Guidance Counsellor, or Student Services professional.
• Experience supporting students across different age groups, ideally from early years through secondary school.
• Strong understanding of child and adolescent development, emotional well‑being, safeguarding, and school‑based support systems.
• Ability to work confidently with students, parents, teachers, school leaders, and external professionals.
• Excellent communication, listening, empathy, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong judgement, discretion, confidentiality, and professional ethics.
• Ability to manage sensitive cases, maintain documentation, and follow school procedures accurately.
• Calm and solution‑focused approach when supporting students during challenging situations.
• Commitment to inclusion, student well‑being, future readiness, and positive school culture.
• Organised and proactive mindset with the ability to balance counselling sessions, meetings, records, and school initiatives.
• Passion for working in an innovative education environment where every student is supported to thrive.

Skills Set

• School counselling
• Student well‑being
• Student services
• Individual counselling
• Group guidance
• Emotional support
• Social development
• Academic well‑being
• Child development
• Adolescent development
• Early intervention
• Safeguarding awareness
• Confidential record keeping
• Parent communication
• Teacher collaboration
• External referral coordination
• Inclusion support
• Crisis response
• Transition support
• Well‑being programmes
• Behavioural support
• Student support planning
• Future readiness
• Inclusive education