School Counsellor – SEND specific

Renad Academy, Qatar Foundation, is recruiting for a School Counsellor. The role will commence on 1st August 2024.

Renad Academy is a special school, specifically designed to meet the needs of autistic children. Currently, programs to support autistic children in Qatar are limited and cannot meet demand. Renad Academy is a school where children receive an appropriate and individualised education. Services provided include a thorough assessment to determine strengths and needs, direct instruction in a 2:1 ratio setting, social skills training, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, in-home training for parents and collaboration with the community. Renad Academy is currently working towards achieving NAS accreditation for early 2025. 

We are in need of a School Counsellor to be responsible for promoting a psychologically healthy environment within Renad Academy in general and for the students specifically. The Counsellor will assist the students with their emotional regulation, well-being and career planning to support them in achieving their goals.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Required:

• Masters Degree in Counselling, School Psychology, or Clinical Psychology.
• Three to five years of experience working in a school setting.
• Significant experience working with children with Special Educational Needs, preferably including Autism.
• Certification as a counsellor or psychologist by a recognised professional or governmental body.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to relate to student concerns.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Computer literacy: Google & MS Windows applications (word processing, spreadsheets etc).
• Demonstrated commitment to Continuing Professional Development.
• Ability to inspire and motivate.
• Ability to form positive and effective relationships.

Preferred:

• Experience with Zones of Regulation.
• Experience with Positive Behaviour approaches.
• International experience in educational settings.
• Billingual in both Arabic and English.
• Willingness to make a long-term commitment.
• A good sense of humour and a positive outlook.
• An interest in understanding the culture and values of Qatar and incorporating them into our work in the school.
• Enthusiasm and energy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Develop a yearly plan of actions and programs for discussion with, and approval by, the Supervisor, and ensure it is effectively implemented to achieve desired objectives.
• Provide group SEL sessions to all classes and lead and support the development and implementation of a SEL curriculum.
• Provide additional one-to-one or group sessions as targeted interventions to meet identified needs.
• Develop the offering further by initiating new projects at all ages, including to meet the needs of new age group cohorts.
• Recommend various strategies to teachers and parents based upon positive behavioral supports to promote healthy social, academic and overall well-being of students and assist in their implementation.
• Recommend various strategies to teachers how they can contribute to the students’ academic and career awareness and assist in their implementation.
• Conduct workshops for teachers to help them become more aware of their students’ needs and offering suggestions and strategies on how to create positive relationships in the school environment.
• Provide teachers with guidelines to help them determine when a student’s behavior needs referral to the Student Support Team.
• Promote and support the well-being of staff within an SEN environment.
• Coordinate with parents and teachers to help students achieve their full potential in a fashion that promotes personal, academic, and emotional growth.
• Coordinate with school Administration and Lead Teachers to incorporate elements of mental health promotion in the curriculum and extra-curricular activities and their implementation.
• Prepare semi-annual reports on the activities and services provided for that period.
• Plan and deliver weekly assemblies to each phase of the school.
• Lead the Student Council, complete its current projects and then initiate new ones.
• Lead and manage the partnerships with external organisations to support the careers program.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary is highly competitive and tax-free, and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. Benefits include housing, health, life and long-term disability insurance, annual home leave, shipping allowance, end of service gratuity and tuition benefits for up to 3 Pre-K – Grade 12 school-age dependents.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are required to forward their CV and letter of application, outlining their skills and experience as well as how they meet the person specification to:

Mr Matthew Campion, Director of Renad Academy, Qatar Foundation Schools

mcampion@qf.org.qa

Closing date will be: Friday 1st March 2024

Qatar Foundation Schools reserves the right to appoint a candidate before the application deadline should this prove desirable.

Successful appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and verification of qualifications. The Office of Pre-University Education is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening including checks with previous employers and national/international disclosure services as required.