School Wellbeing Counsellor - August 2026 Start

The SchoolAt Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City, we proudly extend the distinguished legacy of Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, one of the United Kingdom’s most celebrated academic institutions. Founded on centuries of tradition and intellectual rigour, our branch schools uphold an uncompromising commitment to academic excellence, character formation, and cultural enrichment.Our vision is to cultivate dynamic, world-class learning environments where the next generation of confident, able, and responsible young people are shaped. We challenge our students to think independently, lead with purpose, and embrace a global perspective, all within a community that values tradition, discipline, and innovation. By blending the timeless values of our founding school with the opportunities of a rapidly evolving world, we ignite curiosity, inspire ambition, and prepare our students to make meaningful contributions to society, as scholars, leaders, and changemakers.The OpportunityQueen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City is seeking a compassionate, highly qualified, and emotionally intelligent Wellbeing Counsellor to support the personal, social, and emotional development of our students across all phases of the school. This is a vital pastoral role within our school community. The successful candidate will provide a safe, trusted space for students, offering expert guidance and individualised support to help them navigate challenges, build resilience, and flourish in all aspects of their school life. You will play a central role in promoting a culture of wellbeing, empathy, and inclusion, ensuring that every student feels seen, heard, and valued. As a visible and approachable presence within the school, you will work closely with pastoral leads, academic staff, parents, and external professionals to develop proactive strategies that support mental health and enhance student wellbeing. Your work will help create the caring, high-performance environment that is the hallmark of Queen Elizabeth’s Global Schools. You will contribute meaningfully to the vision of Queen Elizabeth’s Global Schools, upholding the heritage and values of our founding institution, Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, celebrated for its academic distinction and deep commitment to student care.If you are a skilled and empathetic professional who believes in the transformative power of education and pastoral support, we would be delighted to hear from you.The Role Job Title: School Wellbeing CounsellorReporting to: Director of InclusionPersonalised Counselling and Emotional Support• Provide individual and small-group counselling tailored to students’ emotional, social, and psychological needs, creating a safe, compassionate space for self-expression and growth.• Support students navigating challenges such as anxiety, stress, friendship dynamics, grief, identity, or personal and family issues, offering timely, non-judgemental care.• Foster resilience, emotional intelligence, and healthy coping strategies to equip students with the tools to manage their wellbeing with confidence and independence.• Identify students who may be at risk or vulnerable and provide early interventions, appropriate referrals, and coordinated follow-up care to ensure continued support.Whole-School Wellbeing and Mental Health Promotion• Lead the development and implementation of proactive wellbeing programmes that embed emotional literacy, self-care, and positive psychology into the school culture.• Organise and facilitate workshops, campaigns, and awareness initiatives for students, staff, and parents on key topics such as managing emotions, online safety, mindfulness, and peer relationships.• Collaborate with pastoral and safeguarding teams to support the school’s anti-bullying strategy, ensuring that all students feel safe, respected, and included.• Contribute to a whole-school environment where wellbeing is championed as a foundation for academic success and personal fulfilment.Collaboration with Staff and Families• Work closely with teachers, heads of year, and pastoral leaders to ensure a joined-up approach to student development, behaviour, and mental health support.• Provide guidance and coaching to staff on identifying signs of emotional distress and supporting students with care, empathy, and confidence.• Engage in open, sensitive communication with parents, offering practical advice and support to help families respond to their child’s emotional and behavioural needs.• Contribute meaningfully to multi-agency or team-around-the child meetings where relevant.Safeguarding, Crisis Response, and Duty of Care• Act as a key member of the school’s safeguarding team, ensuring all support is delivered in full alignment with child protection laws, regulatory standards, and best practice.• Respond promptly and professionally to incidents, disclosures, or emergencies involving students, ensuring immediate care and appropriate escalation.• Maintain a deep understanding of local safeguarding legislation and the wellbeing expectations embedded within the National Curriculum for England.Confidentiality and Professional Conduct• Maintain accurate, confidential case records in line with school policy, safeguarding guidelines, and data protection regulations.• Exercise sound professional judgement in managing confidentiality, always prioritising student safety and wellbeing.• Uphold the highest standards of discretion, integrity, and professional ethics in all interactions.Ongoing Development and Professional Engagement• Commit to continuous professional learning in the fields of child psychology, adolescent mental health, trauma-informed practice, and school-based counselling.• Engage with national and international counselling networks to share insight, learn from best practice, and remain at the forefront of the evolving mental health landscape.• Reflect on practice regularly and contribute to the enhancement of pastoral care provision across the wider school community.The PersonQualifications and Experience• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, or a related field.• A recognised counselling qualification or certification is essential (e.g., British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), Certified School Counsellor, or equivalent).• A minimum of 3 years of experience as a school counsellor or in a related role, preferably within an international or National Curriculum for England school.• Knowledge of local laws related to safeguarding, child protection, and mental health is highly desirable.• Fluency in English is required; additional language skills are an advantage.Personal Qualities•Excellent active listening and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with students, staff, and parents.• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage crisis situations effectively.• Ability to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team and maintain professional boundaries.Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City is an equal opportunities employer and is deeply committed to safeguarding our students, ensuring their safety and wellbeing. We expect all staff and members of our community to share this commitment and to promptly report any concerns about a student’s or community member’s safety or wellbeing. In accordance with our Safer Recruitment Policy, all applicants must be willing to undergo rigorous child protection screening, including checks with past employers and providing police clearance certificates from all countries that the applicant has resided in. The full Safer Recruitment Policy can be viewed on our website.