Job Details

Primary/EYFS School Counsellor

icon
Varee Chiangmai International School

location
Chiang Mai, Thailand
  • icon
    Preference : Fluent English Speaker
  • icon
    Salary : Competitive Salary
icon
Start Work : Dec 2026

Highlights :

  • icon
    Job Type Full-time
  • icon
    Education Bachelor degree
  • icon
    B.ED./ PGCE / iPGCE Preferred
  • icon
    Experience 2 years
  • icon
    Major Relevant
  • icon
    Gender Any

Job overview
Job Purpose
The Early Years and Primary School Counsellor will play a key role in promoting the emotional wellbeing, mental health and personal development of pupils across the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Primary School. School related experience is essentail.

The successful candidate will provide appropriate, age-appropriate support to pupils, helping them develop emotional resilience, positive relationships, self-regulation skills and strategies to manage challenges. They will work collaboratively with teachers, support staff, parents and the Senior Leadership Team to create a safe, inclusive and nurturing learning environment.

We are looking for a proactive, approachable and flexible professional who understands that wellbeing is an integral part of everyday school life. The successful candidate will be willing to engage fully in the wider life of the school, building positive relationships with pupils and staff through both planned interventions and informal, day-to-day interactions.

Key Responsibilities
1. Pupil Counselling and Emotional Wellbeing
  • Provide individual and small-group counselling or wellbeing support appropriate to the age, developmental stage and needs of pupils.

  • Support pupils experiencing emotional difficulties, anxiety, friendship challenges, behavioural concerns, family changes or other personal challenges.

  • Help children develop emotional literacy, self-awareness, resilience, confidence, self-regulation and positive coping strategies.

  • Deliver age-appropriate wellbeing sessions and interventions, including activities focused on feelings, relationships, mindfulness, confidence and positive behaviour.

  • Support pupils in developing healthy friendships, managing conflict and making positive choices.

  • Work collaboratively with class teachers and teaching assistants to identify pupils who may benefit from additional emotional or social support.

  • Maintain appropriate records of counselling sessions, interventions, concerns and outcomes, in line with school policies and confidentiality requirements.

  • Recognize when pupils require additional or specialist support and make appropriate referrals in accordance with school procedures.

2. Active Involvement in Everyday School Life
  • Take an active and visible role in the daily life of the Early Years and Primary School, building trusting relationships with pupils beyond formal counselling sessions.

  • Be willing to support general school duties and daily routines as required, contributing to the smooth running of the school.

  • Support Early Years routines, including nap time, settling children, transitions and other age-appropriate pastoral needs.

  • Be present and approachable during appropriate parts of the school day, including transitions, break times and other opportunities to support pupils' social and emotional development.

  • Work flexibly with teaching and support staff to provide practical pastoral support where needed.

  • Contribute positively to a collaborative school culture in which every member of staff takes shared responsibility for pupil wellbeing.

3. Wellbeing Programmes and School Events
  • Support in planning , coordinating  and delivering engaging, age-appropriate activities that promote positive mental health, emotional wellbeing and healthy relationships.

  • Contribute actively to whole-school initiatives and themed weeks, including:

    • Healthy Lifestyle Week.

    • Spirit Week.

    • Anti-Bullying Awareness Week.

    • Mental Health and Wellbeing initiatives.

    • Friendship, kindness, inclusion and positive relationships campaigns.

  • Support assemblies, workshops, classroom activities and whole-school events linked to wellbeing, safeguarding and personal development.

  • Develop creative and interactive resources to help pupils understand and manage their emotions.

  • Work with teachers and relevant colleagues to embed wellbeing messages across the curriculum and wider school experience.

  • Be willing to lead or support extracurricular activities (ECAs) that promote pupils' wellbeing, social development, confidence and positive relationships.

4. Parent and Family Engagement
  • Communicate professionally and confidently with parents and carers regarding appropriate wellbeing and pastoral matters.

  • Attend parent meetings, consultations and follow-up discussions when required.

  • Provide practical guidance to parents on supporting children's emotional development, resilience, behavior and wellbeing at home.

  • Work collaboratively with families to develop consistent approaches to supporting pupils' needs.

  • Handle sensitive conversations with empathy, professionalism, discretion and cultural awareness.

  • Maintain clear professional boundaries and share information appropriately in accordance with safeguarding, confidentiality and school policies.

  • Escalate concerns to the relevant member of the Senior Leadership Team or Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) when necessary.

5. Safeguarding and Child Protection

Varee Chiangmai International  school is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. The successful candidate must share this commitment and understand that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

Responsibilities include:

  • Uphold the school's safeguarding and child protection policies, procedures and code of conduct at all times.

  • Maintain a vigilant and proactive approach to identifying signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation, bullying or other safeguarding concerns.

  • Respond appropriately to disclosures or concerns, following school procedures and reporting promptly to the DSL or designated safeguarding personnel.

  • Understand the limits of confidentiality when working with children and never promise a pupil that information will remain secret if a safeguarding concern arises.

  • Maintain professional boundaries in all interactions with pupils, parents and colleagues.

  • Participate in mandatory safeguarding training and other relevant professional development.

  • Support the promotion of a safe, respectful and inclusive school environment in which children feel listened to, valued and protected.

  • Comply with all relevant child protection legislation, safer recruitment requirements and school safeguarding procedures.

All appointments are subject to the school's safer recruitment procedures and satisfactory background checks.

6. Collaboration and Professional Responsibilities
  • Work closely with the Head of EYFS & Primary, Senior Leadership Team, class teachers, teaching assistants and other relevant staff.
  • Contribute to pastoral and SEND  discussions and support the development of appropriate strategies for pupils requiring additional support.

  • Provide practical recommendations to staff for promoting emotional regulation, positive behaviour and inclusion in the classroom.

  • Contribute to relevant school meetings, reports and pupil support plans as required.

  • Maintain accurate, confidential and secure records in accordance with school procedures.

  • Engage in ongoing professional development to maintain and enhance counselling knowledge and practice.

  • Demonstrate flexibility, initiative, professionalism and a willingness to contribute to the wider needs and priorities of the school.

Person Specification
Essential Qualifications and Experience
  • A relevant qualification in counselling, psychology, child psychology, mental health, school counselling or a closely related field is desirable 

  • Experience working with children, preferably within an Early Years or Primary School setting.

  • A sound understanding of child development and the emotional, social and behavioural needs of young children and primary-aged pupils.

  • Knowledge of appropriate counselling approaches and strategies for supporting children's emotional wellbeing.

  • A clear understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate confidently and sensitively with parents.

  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to maintain accurate and confidential records.

  • The ability to work collaboratively with a range of professionals and contribute positively to a team.

  • A flexible, proactive and practical approach to the varied demands of school life.

Essential Personal Qualities

The successful candidate will be:

  • Child-centered: Committed to ensuring every child feels safe, valued, respected and supported

  • Approachable and empathetic: Able to build trusting relationships with children of different ages, personalities and needs.

  • Confident and professional: Comfortable leading wellbeing sessions, speaking with parents and working alongside colleagues.

  • Flexible and proactive: Willing to contribute to everyday school routines, duties, Early Years nap time, ECAs and wider school events and managing the Y5 buddy

  • Creative and engaging: Able to develop activities that make emotional wellbeing accessible and meaningful to young children.

  • Collaborative: Committed to working as part of a wider team to support the needs of the whole school community.

  • Culturally sensitive: Respectful of the diverse backgrounds, values and experiences of pupils and families.

  • Discreet and responsible: Able to handle sensitive information appropriately and maintain professional boundaries.

  • Committed to safeguarding: Dedicated to promoting the safety and welfare of every child.

Professional Expectations
The school counsellor is expected to demonstrate that emotional wellbeing is not limited to scheduled counselling appointments. The role requires an active presence within the school community, a willingness to support colleagues and pupils in everyday situations, and a commitment to contributing to a positive and inclusive school culture.

The successful candidate will understand the importance of balancing specialist counselling responsibilities with practical pastoral involvement, ensuring that pupils experience consistent care and support throughout the school day.

 

Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed.
Note: Recruiter asking you to pay for a job? Never pay to get a job. Scams in teaching jobs industry are rampant. Be careful!