Student Guidance Counsellor

Hall Recruitment; Cork; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Medical cash benefit

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Hall Recruitment in Cork City is seeking a qualified Student Guidance Counsellor for a permanent, full-time role. You will provide educational and career guidance, student counselling, wellbeing and pastoral care to second-level students.

Working with teachers, parents and school leaders, you will support CAO/UCAS applications, coordinate guidance activities and contribute to wellbeing initiatives while upholding confidentiality and professional standards.

Qualifications

• Experience working with second-level students.
• Strong knowledge of CAO and UCAS procedures.
• Knowledge of Irish and international higher education pathways.
• Understanding of adolescent development, student wellbeing and pastoral care.
• Confidentiality and professional ethics in student guidance.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group guidance counselling to second-level students.
• Deliver guidance lessons and career education programmes.
• Support CAO and UCAS applications and university pathways.
• Coordinate careers events, visits and information sessions.
• Maintain confidential student records and work with parents and teachers.

Skills

Counselling

Listening

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

Teaching qualification

Teaching Council registration

Postgraduate guidance qualification

Job description

Cork City | Permanent | Full-Time | €55,000–€65,000 per annum

Hall Recruitment is recruiting a qualified Student Guidance Counsellor for an established second-level educational organisation in Cork City.

This permanent position combines educational and career guidance, student counselling, wellbeing and pastoral care, supporting students as they make important decisions about their education, personal development and future careers.

Working closely with students, teachers, school leadership and parents, you will deliver individual and group guidance, support CAO and UCAS applications, contribute to student wellbeing programmes and provide professional guidance on further and higher education opportunities.

We are looking for a qualified, Teaching Council-registered Guidance Counsellor who combines strong knowledge of educational pathways with empathy, sound professional judgement and a commitment to supporting young people.

Key Responsibilities

Educational Guidance & Career Counselling

• Provide individual and group guidance counselling to second-level students.
• Deliver structured guidance lessons and career education programmes.
• Support students with subject choices, academic planning and career decisions.
• Advise on further education, higher education and employment pathways.
• Guide students through CAO and UCAS applications.
• Provide information on Irish, UK and international university opportunities.
• Support scholarship applications and entry to competitive third-level programmes.
• Coordinate careers events, university visits and information sessions.
• Provide guidance and support to students experiencing personal, social or emotional difficulties.
• Assist students managing examination pressure, stress or anxiety.
• Contribute to student wellbeing and resilience initiatives.
• Identify students who may require additional support.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, school leadership and external support services.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Safeguarding & Student Welfare

• Contribute to the school's safeguarding and student welfare arrangements.
• Follow established child protection and safeguarding procedures.
• Recognise and appropriately report student welfare concerns.
• Maintain accurate and confidential student records.
• Support a safe, respectful and inclusive educational environment.
• Meet with parents and guardians to discuss educational and career pathways.
• Provide information on CAO, UCAS and university application processes.
• Participate in parent information evenings and relevant school events.
• Work closely with teachers, learning support personnel and school leadership.
• Contribute to the development of guidance and student support programmes.

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must hold all three of the following:

• A recognised teaching qualification.
• Current registration with the Teaching Council of Ireland.
• A recognised postgraduate qualification in Guidance Counselling.

These are mandatory professional requirements for the position.

Essential Experience & Skills

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Experience working with second-level students.
• Strong knowledge of educational and career guidance practices.
• Comprehensive understanding of CAO and UCAS application procedures.
• Knowledge of Irish and international higher education pathways.
• Understanding of adolescent development, student wellbeing and pastoral care.
• Strong counselling, listening and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate professionally with students, parents and colleagues.
• Understanding of safeguarding and student welfare responsibilities.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Commitment to confidentiality and professional ethical standards.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a school environment.

• Experience working as a Guidance Counsellor in a second-level school.
• Experience supporting applications to competitive university programmes.
• Familiarity with psychometric and career assessment tools.
• Knowledge of educational support and referral pathways.
• Experience organising careers events, university visits or parent information sessions.

Who Should Apply?

This position may suit a qualified professional currently working as a:

• Guidance Counsellor
• School Guidance Counsellor
• Educational Guidance Counsellor
• Career Guidance Counsellor
• Second-Level Guidance Teacher
• Student Guidance & Wellbeing Counsellor

It may also suit a qualified teacher who holds the required postgraduate Guidance Counselling qualification, is registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland and has relevant experience supporting second-level students.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate a strong understanding of CAO and UCAS applications, experience supporting student wellbeing and the ability to provide professional, student-centred guidance.

Salary, Benefits & Working Arrangements

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Location: Cork City

Working Hours:

• Monday–Friday
• 8:30am–4:30pm
• Company pension
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Medical cash benefit
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning

If you are a qualified Guidance Counsellor with experience supporting second-level students and a strong understanding of educational guidance, university applications and student wellbeing, we would like to hear from you.

Please ensure your CV clearly demonstrates:

• Your teaching qualification and current Teaching Council registration.
• Your postgraduate qualification in Guidance Counselling.
• Your experience providing educational and career guidance to second-level students.
• Your knowledge of CAO and UCAS application procedures.
• Your experience supporting student wellbeing and pastoral care.

Important: Applicants must meet all three essential professional qualification and registration requirements to be considered.

At Hall Recruitment, we're dedicated to building diverse and authentic workplaces. We also know that excellent candidates rarely match 100% of a job description. If you meet around 70% of the criteria for this role, please don't hesitate to get in touch. The three mandatory professional requirements must still be met.