Counsellors

**College Overview**

Emmaus Christian College is an independent, non-denominational Christian school. We provide high quality Christian education to children and young people who are from Christian families that are actively involved in their local church and families who fully support the involvement of their children in the Christian teaching, life and expression of the school.

Emmaus Christian College is one school, two campuses. The Brooklyn Park Campus provides Early Learning to Year 6. The South Plympton Campus provides Foundation to Year 12. Both campuses offer a seamless pathway to Year 12, where children who have completed Year 6 at Brooklyn Park, have guaranteed entry into Year 7 at South Plympton.

Our aim is that our students will graduate as confident and compassionate young adults, well-equipped to take their place in the world. We seek to foster a commitment to Jesus Christ and a passion to live life in such a way as to bring honour and glory to God.

As a Christ-centred College, it is essential that our beliefs are lived and modelled by our staff. Therefore, we seek to employ staff whose lives are a genuine reflection of their Christian faith.

We want our students to:

- **Belong **- to know others and be known
- **Flourish **- to discover and grow into who they are in Christ
- **Respond** - to respond to the call of God in their lives

**Position Overview**

The roles will focus on the needs of Junior School (ELC-Year 6) and Middle and Senior (Year 7-12) students in the College community. The Counsellors will provide counselling support to the relevant student body across both campuses and provide associated services to the wider school community (e.g. parents and staff) in relation to student issues. The roles are an extension to the pastoral care of teachers, referral to community agencies when appropriate, and act as a resource person in the areas of spiritual, social, emotional and mental wellbeing.

**Key Responsibilities**

**Supporting Student & Family Welfare**
- Providing guidance to students on issues concerning their interpersonal relationships, mental health and wellbeing
- Being responsible for the counselling of students with issues that may include anxiety, depression, trauma, family issues, friendships/relationships, self-harm, anger, abuse, sexuality, identity and suicide
- Facilitating wellbeing-related preventative measures in collaboration with teachers (e.g. protective practices, sexual education, mental awareness)
- Providing support in cases of bereavement, family breakdown or other crisis and loss situations
- Facilitating access to the helping agencies in the community, both church-based and secular

**Supporting Staff**
- Networking and building relationships with other members of the Emmaus Wellbeing Team, particularly the counsellors in the Middle/Senior team and the Junior School team
- Supporting staff in planning and deliver of SEL curriculum and wellbeing resources where relevant
- Be part of the Student Welfare teams that coordinate and respond to student welfare matters across all year levels

**Other**
- Maintain appropriate documentation and student records
- Provide written reports/submissions relating to the role as required
- Maintain parental awareness of the role by contributing articles for the College newsletter, the College magazine, or in any other publication as needed

**Selection Criteria**
- Be a committed Christian with a deep desire to serve Jesus Christ as Lord.
- Demonstrated experience in Christian counselling with children (preferably in a school setting)
- Evidence of high-level interpersonal skills and experience in working with staff, parents and students
- Demonstrated ability in problem solving, flexibility, priority setting and time management
- An appropriate qualification in Counselling

**Submitting Your Application**

**Closing Date**: 9:00am Monday 5 June

**Applicants should provide**:

- Curriculum Vitae which provides full personal details, qualifications, previous employment and experience.