School Counsellor

Role overview

In this position, you will support students’ mental wellbeing and social-emotional growth by working closely with school staff, parents, external specialists, and community organisations. The role focuses on counselling support, preventive programmes, and school-wide systems that help identify and address student needs early.

Key responsibilities

• Create and strengthen the school counselling framework, including processes for identifying student needs early and referring cases involving mental health, emotional, social, or behavioural concerns.
• Advise school leaders on counselling-related matters and contribute to planning and decision-making.
• Offer consultations and design training for staff and parents on mental health topics and practical first-response support skills.
• Build and maintain links with external professionals and community agencies.
• Assess the overall student mental health situation in the school and prepare reports on the counselling programme’s effectiveness.
• Plan and run psycho-educational sessions for individuals and groups on mental health awareness and healthy coping strategies.
• Develop or source resources that can support students, parents, and staff with mental health needs.
• Provide one-to-one and group counselling for students.
• Discuss student cases with staff, parents, and outside professionals or agencies, and conduct home visits when required.
• Refer students and families to suitable community services or external specialists where appropriate.
• Deliver immediate crisis support and follow-up for students affected by serious incidents.
• Keep accurate case notes, consultation records, and other required documentation.
• Give school management regular progress updates on students receiving counselling.

Training and deployment

Candidates who do not already hold a relevant counselling qualification will be placed on a foundational training programme before being assigned to a school. This training is funded by the Ministry and participants will continue to receive a full monthly salary throughout the training period. The programme is intended to build the skills needed to support students’ social and emotional needs.

What we are looking for

• A genuine interest in supporting students who may be at risk.
• Comfort, sensitivity, and compassion when working with students facing social, emotional, or mental health challenges.
• Strong communication and people skills.
• Awareness of multicultural differences and the ability to work respectfully across cultures.
• A proactive, adaptable, and resilient approach.
• At least 1 year of work experience is preferred; experience in childcare, youth work, or volunteering with children and young people is an added advantage.
• The physical fitness and resilience needed to work safely with students and perform the role effectively.

Additional information

Because a large number of people may apply, candidates can expect an update within 6 weeks after the application window closes.

If there are technical difficulties when submitting the application through the government careers portal, applicants should contact careers.gov.technicalhelp@psd.gov.sg for help.