Student Guidance Counsellor | Cork City | Full-Time | Second-Level Education | Salary Not Specified
Key Points
- Location: Cork City
- Contract: Full-Time
- Sector: Second-Level Education
- Specialism: Educational Guidance, Career Counselling, Student Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
- Essential Qualifications: Recognised teaching qualification, Teaching Council registration and postgraduate qualification in Guidance Counselling
- Student Group: Second-level students
- Key Responsibilities: Individual and group guidance, CAO and UCAS applications, student welfare, safeguarding and parent engagement
Job Summary
Hall Recruitment is recruiting a Student Guidance & Wellbeing Counsellor for an established second-level educational organisation in Cork City.
This position combines educational and career guidance with student counselling, wellbeing and pastoral support. You will work directly with students to help them make informed decisions about their education and future careers while supporting their personal, social and emotional development.
Working closely with teachers, school leadership, parents and external support services, you will provide individual and group guidance, deliver career education programmes and contribute to student welfare initiatives.
An important part of the position involves supporting students through the CAO and UCAS application processes, exploring further and higher education pathways, and helping them understand the opportunities available in Ireland and internationally.
You will also contribute to the school’s safeguarding and pastoral care arrangements, supporting students who may be experiencing examination pressure, anxiety or other wellbeing concerns.
The successful candidate will need strong counselling and communication skills, an understanding of adolescent development and the ability to provide professional, confidential and student-centred guidance.
Key Responsibilities
Educational Guidance & Student Counselling
You will provide individual and group guidance to students, helping them navigate educational decisions and personal challenges.
Responsibilities include:
- Deliver individual and group guidance counselling sessions.
- Support students with educational, personal, social and emotional concerns.
- Provide guidance on academic planning and future education choices.
- Deliver structured guidance lessons across relevant year groups.
- Help students develop decision-making, goal-setting and self-management skills.
- Promote student confidence, resilience and personal development.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
- Identify students who may require additional support and liaise with relevant personnel.
What to demonstrate in your application: Experience providing guidance or counselling to second-level students, including your approach to supporting educational decisions, personal development and student wellbeing.
Career Guidance & Higher Education Planning
You will support students in identifying suitable education and career pathways based on their interests, abilities and aspirations.
Responsibilities include:
- Provide advice on further and higher education opportunities.
- Support students through the CAO application process.
- Provide guidance on UCAS applications and UK university entry.
- Advise students on international education pathways.
- Assist with scholarship applications where appropriate.
- Support students applying to competitive third-level programmes.
- Help students research career opportunities and entry requirements.
- Maintain current knowledge of education pathways and employment trends.
- Coordinate university visits, career talks, guest speakers and careers events.
What to demonstrate in your application: Strong practical knowledge of CAO and UCAS procedures, higher education entry requirements and career guidance practices. Experience supporting applications to Irish, UK or international universities would be particularly relevant.
Student Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
You will contribute to a supportive educational environment where students can access appropriate guidance and assistance with personal or emotional challenges.
Responsibilities include:
- Provide pastoral support to students experiencing stress, anxiety or examination pressure.
- Identify students who may require additional wellbeing support.
- Participate in student support and pastoral care meetings.
- Work with teachers and school leadership to coordinate appropriate interventions.
- Contribute to student wellbeing and resilience initiatives.
- Support students in developing coping strategies and personal confidence.
- Liaise with relevant external services where additional support is required.
- Maintain professional confidentiality and appropriate safeguarding practices.
What to demonstrate in your application: Experience supporting adolescent wellbeing, recognising when additional intervention may be required and working collaboratively with colleagues or external professionals to support students.
Safeguarding & Student Welfare
You will contribute to the school’s safeguarding arrangements and support the implementation of established student protection procedures.
Responsibilities include:
- Participate as a member of the school’s safeguarding team.
- Follow applicable child protection and safeguarding procedures.
- Recognise and appropriately communicate student welfare concerns.
- Work with designated school personnel in accordance with established procedures.
- Maintain appropriate records and confidentiality.
- Support a safe and respectful learning environment.
What to demonstrate in your application: Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities within an Irish second-level educational environment and experience following appropriate student welfare and child protection procedures.
Parent & Guardian Engagement
You will communicate with parents and guardians regarding educational planning, career opportunities and student support requirements.
Responsibilities include:
- Meet with parents to discuss educational and career pathways.
- Provide guidance on CAO, UCAS and other progression options.
- Discuss student wellbeing and support needs where appropriate.
- Deliver presentations and information sessions.
- Maintain professional communication with families.
- Work collaboratively with parents and relevant school personnel to support student development.
What to demonstrate in your application: Experience communicating with parents or guardians about student progress, educational choices or wellbeing, including the ability to handle sensitive discussions professionally.
School Collaboration & Guidance Programme Development
You will contribute to the continued development of guidance and student support services within the school.
Responsibilities include:
- Work collaboratively with teachers, school leadership and learning support personnel.
- Contribute to the planning and delivery of guidance programmes.
- Support the development of student wellbeing initiatives.
- Liaise with relevant external educational and support agencies.
- Assist with careers events, information evenings and open days.
- Participate in relevant school activities and student information events.
- Maintain accurate student records in accordance with professional standards and GDPR requirements.
What to demonstrate in your application: Experience working collaboratively within a school or educational setting, contributing to guidance programmes, organising student-focused activities or developing support initiatives.
Requirements
Essential Qualifications
Applicants must hold:
- A recognised teaching qualification.
- Current registration with the Teaching Council of Ireland.
- A recognised postgraduate qualification in Guidance Counselling.
These are essential requirements specified for the position.
Essential Experience & Knowledge
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Experience working with second-level students.
- Strong knowledge of educational and career guidance practices.
- Comprehensive understanding of the CAO and UCAS application systems.
- Knowledge of Irish and international higher education pathways.
- Understanding of adolescent development and student wellbeing.
- Strong counselling, listening and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents and colleagues.
- Strong organisational and administrative skills.
- Commitment to confidentiality and professional standards.
- Ability to work collaboratively with teachers, school leadership and external support services.
Desirable Experience
The following would be advantageous:
- Experience within an academically focused second-level educational environment.
- Experience supporting applications to competitive university programmes.
- Knowledge of psychometric and career assessment tools.
- Experience developing or coordinating student wellbeing programmes.
- Familiarity with educational support and referral pathways.
- Experience organising career events, university visits or student information sessions.
Professional Approach
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
- A genuine commitment to student welfare and educational development.
- Empathy, patience and sound professional judgement.
- Strong listening and counselling skills.
- Ability to build positive relationships with students.
- Professionalism and discretion when handling confidential information.
- Confidence working with parents and school leadership.
- Strong initiative and problem-solving ability.
- Effective time management and organisation.
- A collaborative approach to student support.
- Commitment to maintaining high professional and ethical standards.
Who This Role Would Suit
This position may suit a qualified professional currently working as a:
- Guidance Counsellor
- School Guidance Counsellor
- Educational Guidance Counsellor
- Career Guidance Counsellor
- Second-Level Guidance Teacher
- Student Guidance & Wellbeing Counsellor
It may also suit a Teaching Council-registered teacher who holds the required postgraduate Guidance Counselling qualification and has relevant experience supporting second-level students.
The position will particularly appeal to someone who enjoys combining career and educational guidance with direct student support, and who wants to contribute to students’ academic progression, personal development and wellbeing.
Working Arrangements & Professional Development
Location: Cork City
Position: Permanent, Full-Time
Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:30am to 16:30pm
Salary: €55,000 – €65,000 (depending on experience)
Benefits: Company Pension, EAP and Medical Cash Benefit
The organisation offers a collaborative educational working environment and opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
The role provides an opportunity to contribute directly to students’ educational progression, career planning and wellbeing.
Apply Now
If you are a qualified Guidance Counsellor with experience supporting second-level students, strong knowledge of CAO and UCAS applications and a commitment to student wellbeing, we would like to hear from you.
Please ensure your application clearly demonstrates:
- Your recognised teaching qualification and Teaching Council registration.
- Your postgraduate qualification in Guidance Counselling.
- Your experience providing guidance to second-level students.
- Your knowledge of CAO, UCAS and higher education pathways.
- Your involvement in student counselling, wellbeing or pastoral support.
At Hall Recruitment, we’re dedicated to building diverse and authentic workplaces. We also know that excellent candidates rarely match 100% of a job description. If you meet around 70% of the criteria for this role, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Please note that the three essential professional qualification and registration requirements must be met.
