School Counselor

The Whole School Counselor provides a comprehensive guidance and counselling program designed to address the social, emotional, and educational needs of all students. The Counsellor’s primary responsibility is to provide guidance (to both students and teachers) to help ensure the social and emotional wellbeing of all students in their assigned year levels. The Counsellor reports directly to the School Principal

Guide and counsel individuals and groups of students,

Including: Providing direct counselling intervention to students Identifying, devising and delivering individual / specialised group guidance programmes for students in additional areas of social and emotional development

• ·Advocate for students’ wellbeing.
• Call for, attend, and potentially help facilitate meetings regarding Students of Concern, whether for social, emotional, behavioural, academic, or other concerns.

Collaborates with teachers, Coordinators and Principal to develop, deliver and enhance the school’s pastoral PSHCEE programme.

• Ensure the community (students, parents, colleagues, and beyond) is well-informed about the counselor’s role and about how the community can access counselling support.
• Oversees the student leadership programmes at UCSI KL in all facets including student council, other leadership posts and House system leaders.
• Oversees the school House system (liaising with staff House leaders) so that a full and rich annual program is established with a variety of events and activities.
• Be the main person responsible for oversight of the Parent Support Group (PSG) with UIS KL. Set up and lead regular meetings with the PSG EXEC COM as well as oversight of monthly parent sessions - in conjunction with SLT.
• Play an active part in all marketing activities such as open days, school fairs etc., to promote and support the school.

The counsellor uses professional knowledge to address their assigned year level, while demonstrating respect for individual differences, cultures, and learning needs.

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of social, emotional, counseling strategies appropriate to the students in the assigned year levels
• Maintain and develop a working knowledge of adolescent development by staying up to date with latest research and developments.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of school policies and procedures and publications from the International Baccalaureate Organization.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Learning and Response to Intervention models and procedures.

The counsellor plans, coordinates, and manages programmes and services consistent with established guidelines, policies, and procedures.

• Actively participate in the collaborative planning process by contributing to and leading (when required) discussions, training, and collaboratively working toward the improvement of counseling services.
• Contribute and develop ideas for implementing effective counseling strategies and resources.

The counsellor uses professional knowledge to implement a variety of services for the targeted learning community, including students, parents and teachers.

• Continually seek out and utilize a variety of strategies, in order to engage individuals and groups in counseling and wellbeing sessions.
• Facilitate learning engagements which are student-centered and inquiry-based, with the aim of developing skills and understanding related to social-emotional learning.
• Facilitate lessons and meetings, when appropriate, with an awareness of and accounting for students with diverse learning needs.
• Undertakes assessment related to counselling, which includes but is not limited to, Psychometric test, as required by the school and MOE
• When appropriate, integrate information and communication technologies.

The counsellor regularly reflects on programmes for all aspects of student wellbeing and appropriately documents reflections and the intended follow up.

• Actively participate in the yearly professional growth and development process and contribute to the attainment of school strategic plan goals where appropriate.
• Regularly reflect on and seek to improve counseling practice, the design of the pastoral programme, and overall delivery of social-emotional learning within the School.
• Conduct a yearly programme audit to review extent and success of program implementation.

The counsellor gathers, analyzes, and uses data to determine student/programme needs, measure student/programme progress, guide instruction and intervention, and provide timely feedback to students, families, staff, and the community.

• Observe and assess students for potential learning barriers and assist in the development of Student Education Plans.
• Observe, assess, and provide appropriate counseling for students with social, emotional, and behavioral barriers.
• Conduct assessment related to counselling, which includes but is not limited to, Psychometric test, as required by the school and MOE
• Provide appropriate documentation, observations and recommendations for all students of concern within the assigned year levels.
• Maintain familiarity with the school’s assessment policies and procedures to assist students with academic counseling needs.
• Maintain familiarity with the school's referral procedure; including interventions and appropriate responses.

The counsellor communicates and collaborates appropriately with students, families, staff, and the community to promote student learning and wellbeing.

• Maintain an open and inviting persona with students and all other members of the UCSI Community.
• Create an open and inviting atmosphere in the counseling office.
• Ensure the safety and support of all students at all times. Immediately report any concerns to the appropriate members of leadership (Programme Coordinators, Principal, etc.).
• Call for, facilitate, and participate in informational meetings with parents, students, and other members of the UCSI community in relation to wellbeing and social emotional care.
• Suggest or propose resources needed through budget requests.
• In line with school procedures, communicate and collaborate with faculty regarding students of concern.

The counsellor maintains a commitment to professional ethics, international-mindedness, and the school’s mission, communicates effectively; and takes responsibility for and participates in professional growth that results in enhancement of student learning.

• Maintain legal, ethical, and moral guidelines in line with Malaysian law, the UCSl vision and mission, the policies, procedures, and regulations of our accrediting bodies, and the ethics of the profession.
• Ensure confidentiality, when appropriate and in accordance with the institutions listed in bullet point one; share information, when appropriate and in accordance with the institutions listed in bullet point one.
• Adhere to professional expectations as stated in the Teachers’ and Staff handbook.
• Maintain professional and culturally appropriate dress during working hours and while otherwise representing UCSI.
• Understand international mindedness and how it relates to the school's vision and mission.
• Attend and actively participate in all required meetings.
• Actively participate in all required professional development offered by the school and implement new knowledge and understanding to ensure a positive impact on student learning.
• Accept and or actively look for opportunities to share professional knowledge both within and outside of the school.
• Attend professional development outside of school (nationally or regionally) and share that learning upon return.
• Ensure information requests and assigned tasks Coordinators and Principal are completed in a timely manner.

The work of the counsellor results in acceptable and measurable student and programme progress.

• Support student personal growth and the ongoing development of personal, social and physical well-being.
• Identify opportunities and implement strategies to regularly evaluate and promote student wellbeing using a variety of resources.
• Compile records and utilize data to inform future counseling and programme needs.
• Communicate student progress effectively and in a timely manner to all appropriate parties.
• Contact and meet with parents, when required, after consultation with the Coordinators and or Principal.
• Consult with other teachers, and Coordinators, when assessing the needs of individual students.
• Support classes and related lessons where required.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to plan, implement and assess a comprehensive curriculum.
• Establish good rapport with the community by explaining the importance of guidance and counselling to the various consumers of guidance services, including students, parents teachers, school leadership team, and members of the community.
• Attend and participate in Student Parent Teacher conferences as required.
• Fulfil supervisionrequirements as required.
• Actively participate in the wider school community by sharing abilities and talents or becoming involved in school events.
• Any additional reasonable duties as requested by members of Leadership.

About UCSI International School Sdn Bhd:

The UCSI Schools Group has 3 campuses in Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur Campus, Subang Jaya Campus and Springhill Campus. Two of its campuses focuses on British school curriculum while the other one focuses on the IB.While maintaining a strong focus on core curriculum which includes British school curriculum with Cambridge IGCSE and International Primary Curriculum, we aim to complement the formal curriculum with a series of CCAs which students’ experiences form a cornerstone of their holistic education for the 21st century. The rapid advancement of technological innovations, global competition, and a push towards a knowledge-based economy require that our students learn to have a repertoire of soft and hard skills to enable them to succeed in a future economy that is still in the making. Through our unique CCA experiences, our students can exhibit soft skills like creativity, leadership abilities, teamwork, flexibility, communication skills, resilience and an enterprising spirit that will enable them to stay relevant for the future.UCSI International School focuses on eight critical characteristics in our learning content and experiences. The rapid advancement of technological innovation, global competition, and a push towards a knowledge-based economy require that our students have a repertoire of soft and hard skills. We therefore place a strong emphasis on Character Education, Global Citizen Skills, Problem-based Collaborative Learning, and co-curricular activities amongst others, forming a truly holistic education for the 21st century.Our emphasis in education isn’t only labelled in academic and creative excellence, but to equipped students with 21st century skills such as character, communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, while inculcating virtues such as integrity, honesty, and empathy in our students. We believe that students that have a developed moral compass and practical wisdom in a challenging and fractured world will make a positive impact for life.

---