School Counsellor (Trained Applicants)

Ministry of Education; Singapore; On-site; SGD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A government education agency in Singapore seeks a School Counsellor to provide essential support for students' mental health and social-emotional development. The successful candidate will develop counselling programs, conduct training for staff and parents, and evaluate student well-being. Applicants should possess a relevant counselling qualification and a passion for helping at-risk students. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and resilience are crucial for success in this role. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of students in Singapore.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of working experience, preferably with children and youths.
• Fitness and resilience to engage students safely.

Responsibilities

• Develop and conduct psycho-educational sessions for students.
• Provide individual and group counselling to students.
• Evaluate and report on the state of student mental health.

Skills

Empathy for students with social, emotional and mental health difficulties

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Resourceful and resilient

Education

Relevant counselling qualification

Job description

What the role is: As a School Counsellor, your primary role is to work with staff, students, parents, external professionals and community agencies to provide quality school counselling support for students' mental health, and social‑emotional development.

What you will be working on:

1. System Support:
   • Developing suitable school counselling programme including a system for needs analysis, early identification and referral of students with mental health issues and social, emotional and behavioural problems.
   • Advising school management on school counselling matters.
   • Providing consultation as well as planning and conducting training for staff and parents on pertinent mental health issues and skills for first‑line intervention and support.
   • Networking with relevant external professionals and community agencies.
   • Evaluating and reporting to school management on the state of student mental health in the school, and effectiveness of the school counselling programme.
2. Preventive Programme:
   • Developing and conducting small and large group psycho‑educational sessions for students on mental health issues and healthy coping strategies.
   • Developing and/or making available mental health resources for students, parents and staff.
3. Responsive Services:
   • Providing individual and group counselling to students.
   • Conference with staff, parents and external professionals / agencies on students being counselled, and conduct home visits where necessary.
   • Looking into the referral of students and their families to community resources or external professionals where needed.
   • Providing direct crisis intervention and follow‑up to students affected by critical incidents.
   • Maintaining case consultation records and proper documentation.
   • Providing regular updates to school management on progress of students being seen for counselling.

What we are looking for:

• Passion and disposition to work with students‑at‑risk.
• Empathy for students with social, emotional and mental health difficulties.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Aware of and sensitive to multicultural issues.
• Resourceful and resilient.
• Preferably with at least 1 year of working experience. Experience working or volunteering with children and youths would be an advantage.
• Applicants should possess a relevant counselling qualification, such as those recognised by the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC).
• Applicants should have the fitness and resilience required to engage students safely and carry out their duties effectively.
• As applications are processed in batches, applicants can expect to receive an update before the end of the following month.
• If you are facing issues submitting your application through the Careers@Gov portal, please contact [e-mail] for assistance.

About Ministry of Education

The wealth of a nation lies in its people - their commitment to country and community, their willingness to strive and persevere, their ability to think, achieve and excel. Our future depends on our continually renewing and regenerating our leadership and citizenry, building upon the experience of the past, learning from the circumstances of the present, and preparing for the challenges of the future. How we bring up our young at home and teach them in school will shape Singapore in the next generation. The mission of the Education Service is to mould the future of the nation, by moulding the people who will determine the future of the nation. The Service will provide our children with a balanced and well‑rounded education, develop them to their full potential, and nurture them into good citizens, conscious of their responsibilities to family, society and country.