School Counsellor

CatholicCare Sydney; Sydney; Remote; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid school-holiday leave

Clinical supervision

Professional development

Salary packaging

Staff wellbeing initiatives

Supportive team environment

Meaningful work

Job summary

CatholicCare Sydney is recruiting School Counsellors to support students across the Archdiocese of Sydney in both primary and secondary schools. You will deliver therapeutic counselling and wellbeing programs, partnering with staff and external services to foster positive school outcomes.

We welcome applicants with registration with relevant bodies, experience with children and families, and a commitment to inclusive, culturally aware practice.

Qualifications

• Experience providing counselling to children, adolescents and families.
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development and NSW child protection legislation.
• Ability to collaborate with students, families, school staff and external services.
• Capacity to work independently, with supervision when needed and maintain records.

Responsibilities

• Provide therapeutic counselling and wellbeing support to students and their families.
• Collaborate with school staff and external services to promote positive outcomes.
• Deliver individual and group counselling and wellbeing education in schools.
• Maintain accurate records and professional documentation.

Skills

Counselling

Child development

Mental health

Collaboration

Cultural competence

Tools

School information systems

Job description

Join CatholicCare Sydney’s School Counselling program covers the Sydney Diocese and we will be filling schools across this whole area. You will be allocated to 1 or 2 specific schools to support children and young people to build resilience, navigate challenges and thrive at school.

Working across Catholic primary and secondary schools within the Archdiocese of Sydney, you’ll provide therapeutic counselling and wellbeing support to students and their families, while collaborating with school staff and external services to promote positive outcomes.

• Locations: Ashfield-Olympic Park, Auburn-Lakemba, Botany, Eastern Suburbs, Horsley, Ryde, South West, St George, Sutherland Shire
• Award: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award – Level 4
• Program duration: Full Time, Part Time and casual roles.

About you

• You care about young people being heard, supported and set up to thrive. You bring experience, maturity and compassion to your work, with the confidence to support students experiencing complex emotional, behavioural and mental health challenges.
• You value collaboration, cultural inclusion and ongoing professional development, and you’re comfortable working independently while knowing when to seek clinical guidance.

You’ll bring:

• Registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA), membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) or registered clinical membership of Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
• At least two years’ post-qualification experience providing counselling services to children, adolescents and families, including at-risk students.
• Sound knowledge of child and adolescent development, mental health concerns and current NSW child protection legislation.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with students, families, school staff and external service providers.
• Demonstrated experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
• Confidence delivering individual and group counselling, workshops and social-emotional wellbeing education for students, parents and school staff.
• The ability to work independently, take initiative and manage a busy counselling caseload using a solution-focused approach.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining accurate records and professional documentation.
• School-based counselling experience and familiarity with school information management systems are advantageous.

You’ll also need a full, unrestricted NSW driver licence and access to a vehicle for travel between schools, along with a commitment to CatholicCare Sydney’s Mission, Vision and Values and its Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Assessment Process

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview and complete assessment tasks as part of the selection process.
This process will assess suitability for School Counsellor opportunities and may include discussion of current and upcoming vacancies.

What you’ll get

• Paid school-holiday leave: Enjoy paid time off during school holidays to rest and recharge.
• Regular clinical and peer supervision: Access dedicated support to strengthen your professional practice and work through complex cases.
• Professional development: Benefit from a comprehensive orientation program, ongoing learning opportunities and support from a dedicated Manager.
• Salary packaging: Access generous salary packaging arrangements that may help reduce your taxable income and increase your take-home pay.
• Staff wellbeing initiatives: EAP counselling, annual flu vaccinations and other wellbeing activities.
• Supportive team environment: Work within a small, collaborative team that values professional growth, reflective practice and quality service delivery.
• Meaningful work: Help children and young people manage emotional and behavioural challenges, strengthen resilience and improve their wellbeing.

Need more information?

About us

CatholicCare Sydney is a leading not-for-profit agency supporting people from all walks of life. We’re an organisation that promotes diversity and inclusion and is committed to the growth and wellbeing of our staff, empowering them to make a positive difference in the community.

As the official social services agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, CatholicCare Sydney works to strengthen individuals, families and communities through compassionate, inclusive and person-centred services.

We welcome applications from individuals of all ages, nationalities, abilities and cultures, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people living with disability.