School Counsellor

About Smart Vision School

Smart Vision School is a growing British curriculum school in Dubai, providing an inclusive, ambitious and personalised education from Foundation Stage through to Secondary. Our Secondary School currently extends to Year 9, with continued expansion planned as we prepare to introduce GCSE courses in 2027–28 and, in time, A Level provision.

At Smart Vision School, we place children at the heart of our decision-making. We believe that students learn best when they feel safe, supported and understood and we are committed to creating an environment in which every child can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

Our Vision

A community where every young person is supported to unlock potential, encouraged to aim high and empowered to make a positive difference in the world around them.

Curious minds. Strong character. Brave futures.

Our Mission

Inspiring every student through inclusive, multilingual education and high expectations to become confident, compassionate and capable learners who contribute to their community.

Part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP)

Smart Vision School is part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP), a global community of schools committed to putting learning at the heart of everything we do.

Being part of ISP provides our colleagues with opportunities to collaborate with educators across an international network, access high-quality professional learning and develop their careers within a growing global organisation.

The Opportunity

Smart Vision School is seeking an experienced, compassionate and highly effective School Counsellor to join our team and play a central role in supporting the wellbeing, personal development and emotional needs of our students.

This is an important appointment within our growing school. We are looking for someone who understands that effective school counselling extends beyond responding when a child is experiencing difficulty. The successful candidate will help us develop a proactive culture of wellbeing, early identification and intervention, ensuring students have access to appropriate support when they need it.

Working closely with the Principal, Senior Leadership Team, Safeguarding Team, Inclusion Team, teachers and families, the School Counsellor will provide professional counselling support while contributing to our wider approach to safeguarding, wellbeing, behaviour, attendance and personal development.

Key Responsibilities

The School Counsellor will:

Provide confidential, age-appropriate individual and group counselling to students experiencing social, emotional, behavioural or personal difficulties.

Establish clear systems for counselling referrals, triage, record keeping, follow-up and evaluation of impact.

Identify students who may require additional support and ensure appropriate early intervention is provided.

Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and wider safeguarding team, recognising when concerns require escalation in accordance with school policy and UAE requirements.

Support students experiencing challenges including anxiety, friendship difficulties, family circumstances, transition, bereavement, emotional regulation, self-esteem and school-related pressures.

Develop proactive programmes that promote positive mental health, resilience, healthy relationships, emotional literacy and student wellbeing.

Contribute to the school's Personal, Social and Moral Education and wider personal development provision where appropriate.

Support students through key transition points, including joining the school, moving between phases and preparing for examination pathways.

Work collaboratively with teachers and leaders to develop appropriate strategies for students requiring additional pastoral support.

Build positive and trusting relationships with parents, providing guidance and support while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Liaise with external specialists and agencies where additional professional support is required.

Maintain accurate, confidential and secure counselling records in accordance with school policy and relevant professional requirements.

Analyse wellbeing and pastoral information to identify trends and contribute to whole-school improvement planning.

Deliver appropriate workshops and professional development for staff and parents around student wellbeing and related areas.

Maintain a highly visible and approachable presence across the school and contribute positively to the wider life of Smart Vision School.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility at Smart Vision School and the School Counsellor will eventually lead on safeguarding across the whole school.

The successful candidate must have a strong understanding of child protection and safeguarding procedures and recognise the important distinction between professional confidentiality and information that must be shared to protect a child.

They will work closely with the school's safeguarding and pastoral teams to ensure concerns are identified, recorded, escalated and followed up appropriately, always placing the safety and best interests of the child first.

The Person

We are looking for someone who combines professional expertise with warmth, empathy, discretion and excellent judgement.

The successful candidate will ideally have:

A relevant degree and recognised professional qualification in counselling, psychology or a closely related field.

Appropriate professional accreditation or eligibility for relevant licensing in the UAE.

Previous experience working as a counsellor within a school or educational setting.

Experience supporting children and young people across a range of social and emotional needs.

A strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection and professional confidentiality.

Knowledge of age-appropriate counselling approaches and interventions.

The ability to establish trusting relationships with children and young people while maintaining clear professional boundaries.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with students, parents, teachers and senior leaders.

Experience developing and delivering wellbeing programmes and interventions within an educational context.