POSITION DESCRIPTION

Transcription

1 POSITION DESCRIPTION Position Title: Division: Responsible To: Responsible For: Job Purpose: Legal Obligation of this position: School Guidance Counsellor XXXX School Principal Clients - Students To provide effective guidance counselling services to the school community. All counselors are required to carry out the duties of a school guidance counselor as set out in the current Education Act and associated regulations, and adhere to the Professional Standards for Guidance Counselors and the Public Service Code of Conduct. Date: October 2012 MINISTRY VISION: Through its vision, the Ministry of Education values the unique nature of the Cook Islands. We contribute to the effective governance of our country and are recognised as leaders in education throughout the region. The Ministry of Education provides a dynamic and professional environment which promotes and supports lifelong learning through the provision of quality services. ORGANISATION CHART: Minister of Education Secretary of Education Ministry of Education Principal of XXX School School Committee; Board of Trustees Deputy Principal of. School (if applicable) Teacher Aides Syndicate Leaders/Deans/Heads of Department (if applicable) Guidance Counselor Teachers Ancillary Staff: Office Secretary Maintenance Staff Students Guidance Counsellors Job Descriptions October 2012 Page 1

2 OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION: To achieve the school s Mission Statement To provide a professional counselling service for the XXX School community To offer professional counselling and support to school students and staff on an individual or group basis. This can be via referrals from staff, families and agencies or by self referral. To offer family counselling where students learning is being compromised by issues at home or in the community. To liaise with families, community agencies/groups and government agencies as necessary. To implement preventative guidance programmes as required. To become an integral member of the school and its community. To undergo supervision, training and professional development as required. OUTPUTS: The position of XXX School Guidance Counsellor encompasses the following outcomes and key deliverables: Objectives Outcome Key Deliverable To offer a professional counselling service to staff and students in accordance with guidelines. To liaise with families, school personnel, community agencies/groups and government agencies as necessary to increase opportunities for appropriate interventions and advocacy for students To implement and run preventative guidance programmes as required. A counselling service will be provided in the school and will be accessed by referrals from staff and by self referral. The service will be available to the school community and will meet client s individual needs Appointments diary and statistics are kept Regular feedback and reports are available to school management, including the annual report Client records are kept confidential and secure Diary of visits and minutes of meetings MOUs developed Agency services are fully utilised to assist in guidance programmes Guidance programmes are delivered and evaluated Outside agencies programmes are delivered by appropriate health and other professionals All policy, procedures and practices to guide the service are documented Appointment diary kept and statistics collected to record non-confidential data of clients. An annual report will be prepared for the Principal according to reporting requirements. Ongoing evaluation by clients and stakeholders of the service will provide feedback and will be included in reports Records of home visits, meetings with parents, groups, agencies and departments are kept Assist with the development of MoUs with other agencies as required To develop, plan and deliver preventative guidance programmes for the school Liaise with outside agencies to support and/or run special guidance programmes (eg MOH) Guidance Counsellors Job Descriptions October 2012 Page 2

3 Objectives Outcome Key Deliverable To be involved in school wide programmes, able to work with and support all staff To undergo training, professional development and supervision as required To keep an inventory of all assets and resources available in the Centre To prepare an annual Centre strategic plan and budget PDS appraisal records Extracurricular activities and reports Minutes of staff meetings Staff receive training and advice to remain up to date and are competent in providing guidance counselling services Professional development requirements are met and a supervision diary is kept current The Centre manual, policies, procedures and annual report Inventory and assets register Centre strategic plan is reflected in the overall school s strategic plan Special programmes involving outside agencies or individuals are planned and funding is available Participate in and contribute to relevant school programmes including staff appraisals, meetings, extracurricular activities etc To undergo training programmes to keep current with developments in guidance counselling Records are kept of training and professional development attended and delivered Supervision is recorded in the appointments diary Professional development goals are set and reviewed annually. Equipment is accounted for and available and losses are minimised Goals are set, monitored and achieved School administration will have an insight into the focus of the Centre and its resource needs Set priority list and purchase resources Demonstrate professional conduct as expected by an employee of the Cook Islands Public Service The Public Service is not brought into disrepute by inappropriate performance and/or behaviour Counsellor s PDS Review Reports Feedback from students, parents and community Observation FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: The Guidance Councillor is required to undertake the following human relations skills in dealing with other personnel and external contacts. External Nature of Contact Internal Nature of Contact Ministry of Education Employment matters including payroll, leave, professional development, performance, competency, and guidance support and other matters as required. Senior Staff Staff attendance, student management, areas of responsibility, school operations and other matters as required Guidance Counsellors Job Descriptions October 2012 Page 3

4 External Nature of Contact Internal Nature of Contact Government Agencies As specific to the school guidance programmes and the health and safety of students and other matters as required Other School Staff Provision of collegial and professional support Community Services Assistance, support, resource provision and other matters as required Students Guidance counselling, pastoral care, extra-curricular activities and other relevant issues Professional Associations Guidance counselling specific resources, supervision, support and current initiatives Students Families Liaise on guidance counselling issues, behaviour and other matters of relevance AUTHORITY: The Guidance Counsellor has the following levels of authority: Financial Staff Students To prepare a budget and keep records of inventory and assets Consultation with staff on relevant student casework, provision of counselling services Provision of counselling services and supervision WORK COMPLEXITY: Indicate Most challenging duties typically undertaken: 1 A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of relevant and current guidance counselling practice and be able to provide high quality services. 2 Ability to make considered judgments and decisions in tense and sometimes life threatening situations. 3 Provide support for clients that assure their physical and mental safety and health. 4 Ongoing self review to inform alternative guidance counselling approaches and methodologies. 5 Maintain confidentiality at all times and understand the boundaries for such. 6 Interacting and developing relationships with other staff members in order to attain programme goals and objectives. 7 8 Interact and serves as a liaison to community organisations and members of the public to meet programme goals and requirements. To represent the interest of guidance counseling on various committees, community groups and parent forums. 9 Judicious management of available resources and their use. Guidance Counsellors Job Descriptions October 2012 Page 4

5 PERSON SPECIFICATION: Qualifications Level of education required to perform the functions required of the position of Guidance Counsellor. This combines formal and informal levels of training and education. Essential: (least qualification to be competent) Diploma in Guidance Counselling or equivalent Desirable: (specific qualification for job) Bachelor s degree in a related Health field Teaching qualification Post Graduate Counselling Qualification Knowledge / Experience The length of practical experience and nature of specialist or managerial familiarity required. This experience is in addition to formal education. Essential: (least number of years to be competent) A minimum of 2 years relevant study Three years experience in a related field Desirable: (target number of years you are looking for) A minimum of 4 years relevant study Five years experience in a counselling role, preferably in a school Key Skills /Attribute / Behaviours Key Leadership & The successful applicant will demonstrate: Management Skills Managing school resources effectively Establishing and maintaining clear and effective routines when organising students Using positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviours Always assessing and planning to minimise risks to students physical safety and taking appropriate action Key Technical Skills The successful applicant will demonstrate key technical skills through: Effective provision of guidance counselling services to the school community The relevant and appropriate application of guidance counselling theory and practice IT Level 3 competency achievement Clear and effective communication in a range of situations Other Skills & Knowledge The successful applicant will also need to demonstrate a high level of commitment to: Promoting indigenous culture and language Further developing one s own knowledge and skills Actively participating in professional development Undertaking professional reading relevant to Health and/or Counselling related fields. Ongoing monitoring, evaluation and self review of one s own performance and practice Identifying and mitigating risks to student health and safety Guidance Counsellors Job Descriptions October 2012 Page 5

6 Approved: Head of Ministry Secretary of Education Date Employee Date Guidance Counsellors Job Descriptions October 2012 Page 6