School Counsellor
- Kamaruka
Job Description
POSITION DESCRIPTION School Counsellor
Organisation Profile
Kamaruka is a specialist school in located in South Yarra.
Kamaruka caters to boys from Years 2 to Year 10. The program offered at Kamaruka is designed for neurodivergent boys, such as those diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and high functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
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OVERVIEW |
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Title |
School Counsellor |
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Campus |
Primary and Secondary |
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Reports To |
Principal |
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Primary Location |
52 River St South Yarra/38 River St South Yarra |
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FTE |
0.88 9am to 3:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. 9am to 4pm Wednesday during school terms. |
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POSITION DETAILS |
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This role is to work across the school with students from Grade 2 to Year 10. |
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POSITION PURPOSE |
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The School Counsellor plays a vital role in addressing the safety, social and emotional needs of the students at Kamaruka. They provide support and guidance to students and parents/caregivers who are experiencing mental health and social issues that are impacting students’ ability to successfully engage in education. They do this by delivering appropriate, evidence-based, therapeutic interventions to support and improve mental health outcomes with the goal of successful school engagement. The school counsellors assist other Kamaruka staff by providing specialist information and knowledge to meet the needs of students who require extra support. Supporting teachers to implement agreed evidence-based strategies while in the classroom to maximise student engagement in the teaching and learning programs. The School Counsellor support students to regulate their emotions while in the classroom to maximise their engagement in the teaching and learning program. |
PREREQUISTES
Commitment to Child Safety
● A demonstrated understanding of child safety
● A demonstrated understanding of appropriate behaviour when engaging with children
● Familiarity with legal obligations relating to child safety (e.g., Mandatory reporting)
Education and Experience
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· Minimum Bachelor level qualification in Social Work, Counselling, Youth Work, Psychology with eligibility for membership of relevant professional body · Current Working with Children Check · Knowledge of the Child Safe Standards and ability to adhere to and proactively support them. |
KEY RESPONSIBILTIES
· Providing counselling to students
· Referral to external agencies for assistance where required
· Communicate with staff about student welfare issues
· Assistance with programs as required to assist with student welfare needs
· Assessment of students at risk and development of safety plans where required and in conjunction with the Behaviour Support Officer.
· Maintenance of professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops
· Ability to run restorative sessions and small social skills groups
REQUIRED ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS
1. Minimum three years’ experience working within a school environment or similar setting
2. The ability to teach SEL classes
3. Experience in working with children, adolescents and families
4. The ability to dialogue with staff in a collegial manner to achieve improved learning outcomes for students.
5. Well-developed interpersonal skills including a demonstrated ability to work and communicate within a team environment.
6. Ability to always demonstrate professional conduct and discretions
7. 6. Strong communication and documentation skills
Apply Now
Kamaruka is a specialist school in located in South Yarra. Kamaruka caters to boys from Years 2 to Year 10. The Kamaruka approach is designed for neurodivergent boys, such as those diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Students generally have an IQ of 80 or above.
Students who enrol at Kamaruka have often found it difficult to navigate the mainstream education system, which may not have been able to accommodate and support their unique needs. Through a modified curriculum, positive experiences, and a sense of belonging at Kamaruka, self-esteem is restored and a pathway towards a rewarding future becomes possible.
The Kamaruka approach, proposes to address the social/ emotional, as well as the academic and behavioural challenges, often exhibited by the students enrolled. Adopting a multi-modal approach, the teachers collaborate with parents and carers, as well as external professionals (where applicable), to increase on-task behaviour, reduce anxiety and aggression, improve wellbeing, as well as behavioural and academic progress.
Expectations are clear and firm, and all activities are designed to be slightly beyond their zone of proximal development, whilst taking into consideration the individual’s capabilities and capacity. The clear boundaries and routines within the school allow every student to feel safe, accepted and valued.
Empowerment and self-determination are the ultimate goals that Kamaruka staff strive for as educators of any student with a learning challenge. Therefore, at Kamaruka we ensure that student wellbeing is addressed by providing students with access to two School Counsellors, as well as weekly Social/Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) lessons.
Research has demonstrated that complex physical activity, such as martial arts, strengthens neural networks within the brain, enabling young people with ADHD to practice self-control and manage symptoms like impulsivity and distractibility. In addition to this, the martial arts program also enables young people to develop their physical coordination, provides opportunities to release energy and enables young people to focus on their own individual growth. Consequently, Kamaruka has incorporated martial arts into its educational program and throughout the years many students have developed their self-esteem and be extremely proud of what they have been able to achieve from participation in this structured physical activity.