College Counsellor (Parental Leave Cover)

Clayfield College; Albion; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Clayfield College in Brisbane is seeking a College Counsellor to support the psychological, social and emotional wellbeing of students across year levels. The role involves evidence-based counselling, referrals and collaboration with parents and staff.

This parental leave cover is term-time, with immediate commencement and an end date of 26 March 2027. The successful candidate will maintain records, contribute to wellbeing programs and participate in training and policy development.

Qualifications

• Degree/tertiary qualification in Social Work or Counselling.
• Working with children and Police Clearance.
• Extensive experience in adolescent counselling.
• Knowledge of best practice in education and counselling.
• Understanding developmental needs of adolescents and young adults.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counselling to students.
• Offer assessment, referral, and collaboration with parents and staff.
• Participate in critical incident management.
• Deliver wellbeing programmes and parent education as required.
• Maintain confidential records and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Contribute to policy development and staff professional learning.

Skills

Counselling

Adolescent psychology

Communication

Multitasking

Education

Social Work or Counselling degree

Job description

College Counsellor (Parental Leave Cover)

Clayfield College is a leading independent school, owned and governed by the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA) on behalf of the Presbyterian and Uniting Churches. The College is a co-educational day and boarding school in Clayfield, Brisbane, that offers boys and girls all the benefits of single-sex and co-education on one campus through the distinctive Parallel Learning model. Our education framework is intentionally structured to maximise students’ growth from Pre-Prep to Year 12. Clayfield provides outstanding opportunities beyond the regular curriculum, and across all ages, so every child has the opportunity to let their light shine.

As a Christian community, the College seeks to encourage a high level of personal integrity, respect and compassion for others, and a sense of individual responsibility both to the school community and to society as a whole. Staff are encouraged to strive for personal excellence and fulfilment in their lives, while giving service to God and others.

Position Overview

The role of the College Counsellor is to support the psychological, social and emotional wellbeing of students across all year levels at Clayfield College. The College Counsellor provides evidence-based counselling and therapeutic interventions, consultative advice to parents and staff, and contributes to wellbeing frameworks and programmes across the College.

Key responsibilities include individual and group counselling, assessment and referral, participation in critical incident management, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to support student and staff wellbeing. The role also involves maintaining accurate records, meeting ethical and regulatory requirements, and contributing to professional learning, wellbeing initiatives and policy development within the College.

The position is offered on a term-time, fixed-term basis to cover parental leave, with an immediate commencement date and an end date of 26 March 2027.

Key Responsibilities

1. Counselling and Support
   1. Contribute to the College’s strategic directions concerning the psychological, social and emotional wellbeing of students.
   2. Provide counselling and therapeutic interventions to students based on evidence-based best practice.
   3. Provide consultative advice and support to parents and staff regarding the psychological, emotional, social and learning needs of students.
   4. Support and advise on the transitional needs of new students.
   5. Make referrals and liaise with outside agencies and professionals, when appropriate.
   6. Attend case conferences with parents, staff and external stakeholders regarding a student’s needs when required.
   7. Advocate for staff wellbeing and provide staff with referrals to external support services as required.
2. Assessment Services
   1. Communicate results from interventions to parents both orally and in writing when appropriate.
   2. Assist in the development of cognitive, physical, sensory and social-emotional plans when required.
3. Critical Incident Management
   1. Be an integral member of the Crisis Management Team and provide expertise in ensuring a critical incident is managed appropriately.
4. Education Programmes and Wellbeing
   1. Facilitate group work in areas that require targeted prevention or intervention. Provide consultation in the development and delivery of Wellbeing Programs relevant to the age-appropriate needs of the Year Group.
   2. Provide consultation in the development and services of additional wellbeing sessions which may be held at the College.
   3. Provide professional development to staff on relevant topics as required.
   4. Deliver parent education presentations as required.
5. Reporting, Administration and Regulatory Requirements
   1. Maintain confidentiality and work within the accepted and written code of ethical and professional practice.
   2. Attend meetings such as (but not limited to) Head of House Team meetings and Pastoral Leadership Team meetings as required.
   3. Be responsible for recording and reporting on parent/ staff/ student discussions.
   4. Record, track and report on referral trends.
   5. When required, complete and manage funding applications for students with disabilities.
   6. Participate where appropriate in the development of policies and procedures, within the area of competence of the counsellor.
6. Health and Safety
   1. Demonstrate in daily activities a commitment to health and safety in the workplace by always performing tasks in the safest possible manner - safe for the individual, co-workers and students.
   2. Ensure at all times that you work in compliance with all laws, acts, regulations and internal policies outlined in all manuals and handbooks, as updated from time to time.
   3. Report all hazards and incidents that the individual is party to, or observes, in the correct manner.
   4. When required or directed by Clayfield College, participate in any health and safety training.

Key Selection Criteria

• A degree/tertiary qualification in Social Work or Counselling and relevant practicing experience.
• Working with Children and Police Clearance.
• Extensive experience working in the field of Adolescent Counselling.
• Knowledge and understanding of best practice in education and counselling.
• An understanding of the developmental needs of adolescents and young adults.
• Knowledge of and experience in completing Child Safety reports.
• An ability to facilitate change.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication skills.
• Attention to detail.
• High level of optimism, enthusiasm and motivation.
• Ability to multi task.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Experience in a school setting will be highly regarded.

Applicants for this position must be supportive of the Christian aims and mission of the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association and be able to contribute to the strategic vision of Clayfield College.