Career Center

Reports to: the High School Principal and Director of Student Support Services

Hours: full time

Start date: 11 August 2023

Overall Purpose:

The counselor is an integral member of the Student Support Team and works closely with the team members to develop school and/or family interventions.  

Summary of Major Responsibilities

• Provide personal counseling to students, individually and/or in small groups using primarily a cognitive-behavioral approach to help teach effective coping skills
• Advise families and consult with faculty as to the best support for the socio-emotional well-being of students or facilitate on-going communication and problem-solving among students, parents, and teachers so as to best support the social-emotional well-being of students
• Liaise with outside referral agencies and community resources 
• Work closely with the educational psychologists, counselors, and health teachers in all divisions of ASL 
• Collaborate with deans and college counsellors to facilitate student transition
• Co-ordinate in-service education programs for students, parents, and faculty on issues related to social-emotional wellness 

• Teach one section in the academic program, as needed
• Actively contribute to K-12 SSST meetings and subcommittee work
• Participate in the Crisis Intervention Team as necessary
• Participate in monthly supervision with the K-12 counseling team
• Assume responsibility for professional development, keeping current with literature and new research on best practice
• Update K-12 SSST database regularly
• Collaborate to facilitate the high school’s advisory program
• Collaborate to facilitate parent education workshops
• Any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the High School Principal

Essential qualifications/experience

• MA in Psychological Counseling, School Counseling, or Social Work with evidence of counselling certification
• At least two years counseling experience with adolescents in a high school setting
• Evidence of significant recent professional development
• Training and experience in cultural competency initiatives to support diversity, equity and inclusion in the classroom and workplace, and the ability to meet the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and needs
• Excellent technology skills 
• Experience in a school with a similar philosophy, teaching methods and curricula to that of ASL
• Willingness to contribute to school life outside of the classroom
• A proven commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people

This position description is current at the date shown but following consultation may be changed to reflect or anticipate changes in the role that are commensurate with the job title and salary.

The American School in London is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all trustees, employees and volunteers to share this commitment. All new appointments will be subject to appropriate checks: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS enhanced), Disqualification by Association Self-Declaration, Declaration of Criminal Record, checks against the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) Prohibition List (Teacher Status Checks) including Identity, Address, Date of Birth, a Full Employment History, Right to Work in the UK, overseas checks where applicable, at least 2 references (one with current or most recent employer, where appropriate) and original documentation of Qualifications (where appropriate). For positions into Senior Management a Prohibition from Management Check (s128 Directive) will also be undertaken.

All posts involving direct contact with children are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. However, amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 & 2020) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected'. These are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Ministry of Justice website. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. You may be asked for further information about your criminal history during the recruitment process. If your application is successful, this self-disclosure information will be checked against information from the Disclosure & Barring Service before your appointment is confirmed.

Diversity and equality of opportunity are cornerstone values of The American School in London. The American School in London will not discriminate against an applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other legally recognised protected basis under local law.  Read our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement here.

About The American School in London

The American School in London is a non-profit, independent, Kindergarten-Grade 12 school offering an American curriculum in an international setting, with a student body of 1,350 representing over 50 nationalities. Our outstanding faculty fosters intellectual rigor and independent thinking. The School’s location in central London further enhances the educational experience.

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