School Counsellor nerul

**Position Summary**:As an Akanksha Counsellor, while you will work to meet the needs
of students with specific social/ emotional challenges and/or disabilities, you will also
work with schools and key stakeholders to build spaces where different learners thrive
in an inclusive classroom setting, where learning is holistic.

A key unique factor of the role is to support the schools from the lens of a “whole school
approach”. Safety and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Development form the
foundation of this approach. This will involve addressing the needs of learners, staff
and the wider community and building the capacity of key stakeholders to ensure the
overall wellbeing of children.

As a part of the counseling team, you will also be designing and facilitating modules
and professional development sessions across the network.
A counselor will visit the allocated schools within the city (1-2 schools)

**What your role will entail**:
With Children
- Doing Classroom Observations (for whole class and/or individual)
- Identifying children with socio-emotional, behavioral and learning difficulties
- Supporting children who require critical therapeutic intervention due to a

traumatic event/reported abuse. Conducting One-on-one sessions with
children and parents referred for counseling
- Facilitating Small group sessions (focussed groups) for children/parents with

similar needs/concerns
- Conducting workshops/sessions with children in classrooms on relevant

topics like Personal safety education, socio-emotional skills or sessions
addressing the developmental needs (e.g. sessions on self awareness,
communication, compassion)
- Documentation of cases and initiatives

With Teachers, Social Workers and School Leaders
- Capacity building of teachers to support children in the classroom.
- Regularly briefing the teachers, social workers and School Leaders about the

status and progress of the children who are undergoing counselling.
- Collaborating with the school social worker to ensure necessary follow ups are

done for individual counseling cases and for child safety cases
- Facilitating sessions in every school with the aim of building teacher, social

worker and school leader awareness on child development (socio-emotional
development) and child safety
Outside the Schools and With the Community
- Conducting home visits and meeting parents to work in collaboration to support

the child
- Visiting homes in the community with the aim of understanding the family, its

dynamics and other aspects which affect the children
- Capacity building of parents to help them address their concerns and build their

parenting skills
- Working with the Social worker and collaborating with parents as partners in the

child's development.

Network level Support and beyond
- Opting to be a part of one of the task forces under Student Wellbeing Centre of

Innovation
- Contributing by leading projects, planning, designing modules, advocating,

facilitating, supporting research work
- Facilitating workshops for external agencies as a part of the outreach multiplier

programmes

Collaborations With External Agencies
- Coordinating with government hospitals for psychoeducational testing,

Speech therapy, Occupational therapy
- Collaborating with external experts for counseling of cases of severe

distress or abuse.
- Collaborating with external experts for conducting capacity building

sessions for the teachers and parents

With the team
- Working with a team of Counsellors and participating actively in opportunities

for training and collaboration.
- Supporting team members and being open to sharing and learning skills

Expectation of Role Commitment: at least 2 years
Experience required:

- Experience of working directly with children/youth
- Experience in documenting case-work and planning workshops
- Prior experience in building capacity in teachers and parents with respect to

child development and allied areas (preferred).
- 2 years or more of relevant experience in the field of education working with

children and parents (preferred).
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

- An empathetic and patient approach towards counselees
- Having knowledge of trauma-informed and systems approaches
- Having group facilitation skills
- Comfortable using technology and working on online platforms
- Positive and solution-oriented attitude with the demonstration of strong work

ethics and professionalism
- Highly motivated and persevering
- Openness to learning and willingness to actively participate in personal and

professional development for self.
- Flexibility, adaptability and ability to function in an unstructured environment
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with different stakeholders.

**Education**:

- A Bachelor’s degree with specialization in psychology and/or counselling

(required)
- A Master’s degree with specialization in psychology and/or counselling

(preferred) or post-grad training or diploma in psycho