School Counsellor SGB

Job Description

Purpose of Role

To lead and promote a whole-school approach to safeguarding, child protection, and student wellbeing within an international school setting. The postholder will provide high-quality counselling support and ensure safeguarding practices align with UK statutory guidance (including best practice from international adaptations of safeguarding frameworks).

Responsibilities

Counselling & Wellbeing (Whole School)

• Provide confidential counselling support to students across Primary and Secondary phases.
• Deliver early intervention and short-term support for emotional, social, and mental health needs.
• Design and implement a whole-school wellbeing programme reflecting the needs of a diverse, international student body.
• Support transition points (e.g. Primary to Secondary, new students joining mid-year).
• Promote resilience, inclusion, and positive mental health through assemblies, workshops, and PSHE contributions.

Safeguarding Leadership (DSL)

• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead in line with UK safeguarding expectations (e.g. principles from Keeping Children Safe in Education) adapted to the Spanish/international context.
• Take overall responsibility for safeguarding and child protection procedures across the school.
• Manage safeguarding concerns, disclosures, and referrals, ensuring timely and appropriate action.
• Liaise with local Spanish authorities and international safeguarding agencies where required.
• Maintain accurate, secure, and GDPR-compliant safeguarding records.

Staff Training & Support

• Deliver safeguarding induction and ongoing training for all staff, including international hires.
• Provide guidance to staff on identifying and responding to safeguarding and wellbeing concerns.
• Support teaching staff in managing student wellbeing within the classroom.

Whole School Safeguarding Culture

• Promote a strong safeguarding culture aligned with international best practice.
• Ensure safeguarding is embedded across all aspects of school life.
• Contribute to policy development and annual reviews (Safeguarding, Behaviour, Anti-Bullying, Wellbeing).

Communication & External Liaison

• Build effective relationships with families from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Communicate sensitively with parents/carers regarding safeguarding and wellbeing concerns.
• Work with external professionals (psychologists, social services, medical providers).
• Support coordination with embassies or international agencies where relevant.

Qualifications

• Degree in Psychology, Counselling, or related field.
• Accredited counselling qualification (e.g. BACP, UKCP, or equivalent international body).
• DSL / Safeguarding Level 3 training (or willingness to obtain).
• Additional training in child protection or trauma-informed practice desirable.

Experience

• Experience working in an international or British curriculum school (highly desirable).
• Proven experience managing safeguarding cases and referrals.
• Experience supporting children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of UK safeguarding principles applied internationally.
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Ability to handle complex, sensitive situations with professionalism and discretion.
• Strong organisational skills, particularly in record-keeping and case management.
• Fluency in English required; Spanish or Catalan advantageous.

Personal Attributes

• Culturally responsive and globally minded.
• Calm, resilient, and solution-focused.
• Strong ethical standards and professional integrity.
• Commitment to inclusion, diversity, and student wellbeing.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures including an online search, reference and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply. 

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding

and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.