Wellington College Education (China)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Direct Counselling Support

• · Provide one-to-one counselling, group counselling, and regular check-in sessions for pupils of all ages in a safe and supportive environment.
• · Offer alternative forms of support (e.g., acting as a social worker or coach) for pupils unwilling to engage in traditional counselling, ensuring they remain cared for.
• · Conduct crisis risk assessments and interventions for severe emotional distress, suicidal ideation, or other urgent needs, prioritising safety and wellbeing.

2. Prevention & Early Intervention

• · Identify early signs of emotional or mental health struggles through active participation in pupil activities, counselling walks, and data analysis, and deliver preventive interventions accordingly.
• · Design and deliver age-appropriate wellbeing programmes and mental health-related curriculum series based on the needs of each year group.

3. Coordination & Communication

• · Work closely with the Pastoral Team and Safeguarding Team to ensure coordinated pupil support.
• · Share relevant information under clearly defined confidentiality exceptions when it is in the pupil’s best interest.
• · Participate in multi-stakeholder meetings to discuss and arrange further support or referrals.
• · Coordinate referrals to approved external support services and liaise with external providers while maintaining confidentiality.

4. Administration & Documentation

• · Deliver counselling work to a high standard in accordance with the Counselling Policy requirements and procedures.
• · Complete counselling notes, reports, and related documentation within the required timelines, and proactively update the line manager on progress.

5. School Engagement

• · Actively participate in school activities and events to improve the visibility and accessibility of counselling services.
• · Attend workshops, meetings, and community events to receive and share information.

6. Government & External Requirements

• · Ensure delivery or facilitation of mental health curriculum as required by government guidelines.
• · Support the counselling team in preparing resources for government inspections.
• · Attend government-related mental health meetings as required.

7. Other Duties

• · Undertake other tasks and responsibilities as requested by the Line Manager and Head of Department, including but not limited to classroom observations, screening, and Zenden duty.
• · When necessary, provide counselling or support to primary pupils in addition to secondary pupils.

Professional development

• · Help keep their own knowledge and understanding relevant and up to date by reflecting on their own practice, liaising with school leaders, and identifying relevant professional development to improve personal effectiveness.
• · Take opportunities to build the appropriate skills, qualifications, and/or experience needed for the role, with support from the school. 
• · Take part in the school’s appraisal procedures.

Safeguarding 

• · Work in line with statutory safeguarding guidance (e.g. Keeping Children Safe in Education) and our safeguarding and child protection policies. 
• · Promote the safeguarding of all pupils in the school.

CCAs and School Community Events

• · Contribute towards the delivery of CCAs and take part in School Community events in line with the school’s expectations and goals. 

Please note this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the postholder will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the Head of School, Master or Line manager.

BASIC QUALIFICATION

• · Education: Bachelor’s degree
• · Major: Psychology or related education field
• · Language: Native Chinese speaker and fluent in English. 
• · Hold a secondary psychology teacher qualification or a licensed psychological counsellor / psychotherapist certificate

EXPERIENCE

• · Over 2 years of experience as a school counsellor or in counselling.

EXPERTISE

• · Good literacy and numeracy skills
• · Good organisational skills
• · Ability to build effective working relationships with pupils and adults.
• · Skills and expertise in understanding the needs of all pupils.
• · Knowledge of how to help, adapt and deliver support to meet individual needs.
• · Subject and curriculum knowledge relevant to the role, and ability to apply this effectively in supporting teachers and pupils.
• · Excellent verbal communication skills
• · Ability to work as part of a team and to be flexible in their approach to daily routines.
• · Active listening skills
• · The ability to remain calm in stressful situations. 
• · Knowledge of guidance and requirements around safeguarding children
• · Good ICT skills, particularly in using ICT to support learning.

Preferred Aptitudes

• · International and/or bilingual school-based working experience is preferred.
• · Cross-cultural working experience is preferred.
• · Demonstrating practice that always represents the five core values of Wellington and Hiba Academy (Courage, Integrity, Kindness, Respect, and Responsibility). 
• · Strong passion for education
• · Enjoyment of working with children
• · Sensitivity and understanding, to help build good relationships with pupils.
• · A commitment to getting the best outcomes for all pupils and promoting the ethos and values of the school.
• · Commitment to always maintaining confidentiality.
• · Commitment to safeguarding pupil wellbeing and equality.
• · Resilient, positive, forward looking, and enthusiastic about making a difference.
• · Capacity to inspire, motivate and challenge children and young people.

As an employer of choice, Wellington College China is committed to making professional learning and personal development central to its ethos and approach. WCC fully recognises its responsibilities for safeguarding children. Our safeguarding policy applies to all staff, governors and volunteers working in the Group.