The Primary School Counsellor plays a central role in promoting student wellbeing, belonging, and success within an inclusive international school community. Working in close collaboration with teachers, leaders, learning support staff, and families, the counsellor supports the academic, social-emotional, and personal development of all students.
Grounded in ISCA Standards of Practice and operating within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), the counsellor contributes to a proactive, preventative, and responsive approach to student wellbeing that honours diversity, equity, and inclusion.

1. Student Support within an MTSS Framework

The counsellor works across three tiers of support, ensuring a balanced approach to prevention and intervention:

• Tier 1 (Universal Support)
   Design and deliver proactive, whole-school or class-based social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives
  • Support positive behaviour, wellbeing, and inclusion through classroom collaboration and schoolwide programmes
  • Promote student voice, agency, and belonging
     
• Tier 2 (Targeted Support)
   Provide short-term, small-group or individual counselling for students requiring additional support
  • Collaborate with teachers and learning support teams to develop targeted interventions
  • Monitor progress and adjust support strategies as needed
      
• Tier 3 (Intensive Support)
   Provide individual counselling for students with identified, ongoing needs
  • Contribute to case management alongside leadership, learning support, and external professionals
  • Support referral processes and liaison with outside agencies, with sensitivity to cultural and family contexts

2. Inclusive Practice and Safeguarding 

• Uphold inclusive practices that respect cultural, linguistic, and neurodiverse identities
• Actively contribute to safeguarding, child protection, and wellbeing policies and procedures
• Advocate for equity, access, and student wellbeing across all aspects of school life

3. Collaboration and Community Engagement 

• Work closely with teachers, IBPYP coordinator, learning support staff, and school leadership
• Partner with families in a respectful, culturally responsive manner
• Offer parent education sessions and resources related to child development and wellbeing

4. Professional Practice and Ethics (ISCA-aligned) 

• Adhere to ISCA ethical standards, including confidentiality, professional boundaries, and student-centred decision-making
• Use data ethically to inform interventions and schoolwide wellbeing planning
• Engage in ongoing professional learning and reflective practice

Required

• Masters level degree in school counselling or school psychology or social work or a related professional field, with a specialization in mental health or child and adolescent development
• Minimum two years of experience working with students in an educational setting
• Experience in multicultural, multilingual environments
• English language abilities and working knowledge of German preferable 
• Extraordinary cross-cultural interpersonal skills and ability to work in teams

Preferred

• Experience in international or IB World Schools

Professional competencies

• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills
• Collaborative, solution-focused mindset
• High levels of empathy, professionalism, and discretion
• Commitment to inclusive education and child wellbeing