Boarding Guidance Counsellor

**Who we are**

Collège du Léman is one of Switzerland’s most prestigious international day and boarding schools, located on the edge of Lake Geneva in view of the Swiss Alps. Collège du Léman is part of the Nord Anglia family of 81 schools worldwide. At Collège du Léman, we shape generations that harness differences, changing our world for the better, and are proud of our values “RISE” which stands for Respect, Internationalism, Spirit and Excellence. We are a truly international community with more than 100 different nationalities amongst the 1500 day, 200 boarding students and 450+ staff. They come together on a green, village-like campus covering 8 hectares. Students follow international and national curricula, with English, French and Bilingual programmes.

**Main purpose of the role**

The Boarding Guidance Counsellor is experienced in understanding student needs both within and beyond the classroom. Working within the Counselling team, the focus is to evaluate individual, and group needs and provide appropriate guidance to students living in a Boarding setting experiencing social, emotional, and learning difficulties, and to provide support to the House Parents involved.

**Key responsibilities**
- Working with the boarding students and offering them 1:1 counselling as required.
- Necessary communication with the House Parents, Boarding management, and parents to keep them informed of individual progress is an important part of this role.
- Liaison and referral to appropriate outside agencies and professionals as necessary.
- Offering direct support to House Parents regarding some of the vulnerable students they have in their respective houses.
- Development of the Stay Safe element of each well-being pillar.

**To support the boarding team by**
- Attending meetings with boarding house representatives (elected student representatives) in order to address any issues and update to Boarding House Parents.
- Consulting with House Parents about how to effectively approach issues with boarders.
- Complete workshops as required during training days for boarding staff.

**To empower the boarding students by**
- Assisting them in integration and daily life.
- Assisting new students, on an individual basis with the transition.
- Counseling Boarding Students in the ways of being effective students and, in taking responsibility for their behavior.
- Identifying social barriers to setting personal/academic goals and achieving them.
- Working in collaboration with teachers and parents/BH tutors to achieve these goals.
- Providing socio-emotional support individually and in the Boarding community, during and after crisis interventions
- Implementing developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented group activities to meet student needs (Group work sessions).

**To guide respectful interactions throughout our school by**
- Facilitating open communication with other students, faculty and staff, family, and community members
- Assisting boarding students individually or in groups, in developing decision-making, problem-solving, and positive human relations skills.
- Managing and communicating a clear referral process for counselling (internal and external referrals for further assessment, intervention, and follow-up).
- Following the school’s behavioral code, consequences, and procedures.

**Individual counseling**
- Accept student referrals from students themselves and from concerned teachers, parents, or other staff members.
- Make referrals to outside agencies and providers when the specific needs of students and parents exceed the service limit.

**Student programs**
- To support the boarding students in participating in the various student groups and bodies throughout the campus.
- Within boarding there is a well-being program which is coordinated by boarding management and supported by the House Parents. The role of the boarding counsellor is to be aware and knowledgeable of the wellbeing program and to be actively involved in the stay safe element of the wellbeing pillars.
- To provide assembly presentations as required by the boarding management team.

**Classroom consultation (where appropriate and at the request of the Head Student Support Services)**
- Classroom observations and evaluations
- Consult with classroom teachers regarding specific students when requested.
- Consult with parents when appropriate.
- Provide classroom management suggestions regarding referred students.

**Reporting responsibility**
- Weekly supervision with the Head of Student Support Services.
- End of Month summary reports.
- Maintaining reliable records and reports including a student database of referrals and electronic files on each student who accesses support from the counselling service.

**Skills / qualities required**

**Prior skills and knowledge include**
- Very advanced English written and oral skills
- Experience working with Primary-G12 age groups
- Sense of organization
- Ability to take initiative