School Counsellor (Trained/Untrained)

Why join us as a School Counsellor?

Lasting Impact On Your Students

As a School Counsellor (SC), you will have a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on students. Working in a school, you will cultivate meaningful connections with your students, providing the essential support they need to learn and develop holistically. Your role as a pillar of support will leave an enduring impact that extends far beyond their school years.

Nurturing Environment For Purpose And Growth

You will thrive in an environment where students' well-being is the top priority. You will receive strong support from school leaders and teachers who value your crucial role in nurturing students' social-emotional and mental health development. Furthermore, MOE HQ will offer comprehensive support through access to resources, guidance, and tailored professional development opportunities, all aimed at enriching your purpose and impact as an SC.

A Community of Like-Minded Colleagues

You will collaborate with school, HQ and other professionals from diverse domains and expertise who share a common goal of nurturing the best for our students. Within this supportive network, you will have the opportunity to exchange best practices, collaborate, and provide mutual support to a community of school counsellors. Together, we create a network of support that transcends individual school boundaries, drawing on each other's expertise and experiences to enrich our collective impact.

Join us in a fulfilling career where your dedication to students' holistic development is truly valued and supported.

Career Development Opportunities to Build Professional and Thought Leadership Capabilities

Grow Professionally

For untrained SCs - before serving as an SC, you will be enrolled in a foundational training programme, equipping you with the necessary skills and knowledge. The ministry invests in your development by providing full salary during your foundational training programme. You will graduate with a professional accreditation.

Professional development is not limited to the foundational training. For untrained SCs who complete the foundational training as well as officers who join us as trained SCs, you will have access to a range of professional development programs and resources aimed at continuously enhancing your counselling skills, staying updated on best practices, and deepening your understanding of student well-being. These may include workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities with experts in the field of education and mental health.

Career Pathway For School Counsellors

The Ministry of Education provides clear pathways for career advancement, allowing you to progress in your role as an SC and take on leadership positions within the school or at the ministry level. This may involve opportunities to lead counselling initiatives, mentor junior counsellors, or contribute to policy development in the area of student well-being.

In addition to the current progression pathway, experienced SCs will be given the opportunity to take up the Assistant Director (School Counselling) role based in HQ for exposure if they meet the criteria.

Roles and responsibilities

System support

• Develop suitable school counselling programme including a system for needs analysis, early identification and referral of students with mental health issues and social, emotional and behavioural problems.
• Advise school management on school counselling matters.
• Provide consultation as well as planning and conducting training for staff and parents on pertinent mental health issues and skills for first-line intervention and support.
• Network with relevant external professionals and community agencies.
• Evaluate and report to the school management on the state of student mental health in the school, and the effectiveness of the school counselling programme.

Preventive programme

• Develop and conduct small and large group psycho-educational sessions for students on mental health issues and healthy coping strategies.
• Develop and make mental health resources available for students, parents and staff.

Responsive services

• Provide individual and group counselling to students.
• Conference with staff, parents and external professionals and agencies on students being counselled, and conduct home visits where necessary.
• Look into the referral of students and their families to community resources or external professionals, where needed.
• Provide direct crisis intervention and follow-up to students affected by critical incidents.
• Maintain case consultation records and proper documentation.
• Provide regular updates to school management on the progress of students being seen for counselling.

Salary and benefits

You will be appointed on the School Counsellor Scheme of Service, and will be hired on a contract basis. Your starting salary will range from $3,570 to $5,200. Your exact salary takes into consideration:

• Your relevant work experience and time spent on the job.
• Your academic training.
• Whether you have completed full-time National Service.

For applicants without counselling training, you are eligible for a salary top-up after completing the pre-service foundational training programme.

You will also be eligible for these benefits:

• Time off during school holidays, as long as your services are not required during that time.
• Subsidised medical and dental benefits.
• 14 days of medical leave without hospitalisation, and up to 60 days with hospitalisation.
• 10 days of urgent leave for private matters, subject to approval.

Learn more about the benefits as a Public Officer.

The positions and programmes available for you are based on your prior experience and qualification. Select your profile: