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Social Emotional Counsellor

ApplyUWC ISAK Japan

Job title: Social Emotional Counsellor

Location: UWC ISAK Japan, Karuizawa, Japan

Working pattern: Full-timeDuration of contract: 1 August 2026 – 31 July 2028

Enquiries: recruit@uwcisak.jp

View other vacancies at UWC ISAK Japan

UWC ISAK Japan’s counsellors provide a safe and healing space for students to be accepted and supported in challenges they may face. Challenges can range from academic stress, peer relationships, relocation, conflicts at home, or other psychological and emotional issues that may feel burdensome, even overwhelming. The counsellors work collaboratively with students to develop resources and skills that help them face these challenges in a healthy way. If students need additional resources not available within the school community, ISAK counsellors will refer to local and regional professionals, as well as communicate with relevant faculty/staff and the family of the student, to provide support for the student. The counsellors are key members of the student support team.

UWC ISAK Japan seeks educators who are catalysts for positive change and who are inspired by the UWC mission of peace and a sustainable future. Our approach combines rigorous academics, experiential learning, and leadership development, all within a vibrant and diverse residential community that fosters personal excellence and collective growth.

At UWC ISAK Japan, every member of faculty and staff serves as a mentor and role model, both in and beyond the classroom. We are looking for teachers who are deeply collaborative and eager to engage across our holistic learning program — Academics, Leadership, Pastoral Care, Activities, Community Service, Outdoor Education, and Residential Life.

We value educators who embrace a growth mindset, invest in their professional learning, and actively contribute to the development of colleagues and students

UWC ISAK Japan is looking for an experienced and committed Social Emotional Counsellor.

Responsibilities

Communication

• Provide information about the counselling and wellbeing programme to parents, students and faculty
• Support relationships and communication between community members

Administration

• Support students in navigating their mental and emotional well-being
• Offer times to meet with students, where they can feel heard and supported in a non-judgmental setting
• Provide a space where students can de-stress in a guided/supported manner
• Coordinate adequate support for students with the faculty/staff and their families
• Refer students to other medical professionals when necessary
• Provide psychoeducational information and workshops for students, their families, and the faculty/staff
• Keep communication between students and counsellors confidential except in cases of danger to self and others

The ideal candidate will be:

• Resonate with the UWC ISAK Leadership Model
• Enthusiastic about learning and applying our coaching model to support student agency
• Positive, flexible, and pragmatic in a dynamic, evolving environment
• Collaborative, interdisciplinary, and self-motivated
• Enjoys the richness and unpredictability of residential school life

The counsellor will:

• Possess an understanding that health and wellness are at the core of a student’s academic and university application success, as well as their sense and ability to maintain a state of well-being
• Hold student-initiated meetings and meet with students referred by teachers, parents and administrators. Listen to student issues, ask clarifying questions and encourage students to guide a discussion of strategies that they might employ to address their issues
• Where necessary, organise sessions as needed with students to support them and follow up on their progress
• Where necessary, refer students to an external therapist or psychiatrist. Work with external professionals and parents to support students in treatment
• Work with Advisors and teachers to gather information about students’ emotional well-being and support systems, and require follow-up where necessary
• Support the adults in the school community with their own issues as needed
• Offer social-emotional programmes to students on relevant topics based on health and well-being
• Work with the Director of Residential and the Head of Pastoral to create programmes to be delivered through the Life Skills Programme.
• Attend weekly meetings of the Counselling Department
• Serve as a member of the Student Support Team and attend weekly meetings
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student information disclosed during sessions
• Keep accurate notes of counselling sessions in a timely manner
• Develop counselling policies and procedures with members of the counselling department
• Notify and work with administration when there is an indication or the belief that a student is in harm’s way or that the counselling department lacks the resources to adequately support a student. This may include assisting with the supervision of a student on 24-hour watch
• Notify and work with the Safeguarding Lead when the counsellor has information or believes that a student is in danger of harm or self-harm
• Attend multidisciplinary team meetings when needed and provide suggestions from a student and school counselling and well-being perspective
• Live on campus in a faculty apartment. There is the possibility of residential responsibility which you would be additionally remunerated for.

Successful traits:

• Commitment to being a team player and a contributing member of UWC ISAK Japan
• Positive attitude and enthusiastic about creating and contributing to a young school
• Ability to develop initiatives that take into account both the School’s long-term objectives and immediate needs
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment with people from around the world
• Ability to work well with people at all levels of the organisation
• Interest in taking on new challenges and exploring new possibilities, rather than simply continuing with what is already being done
• Ability to effectively deal with multiple priorities, functions and activities
• Flexibility: ability to adjust projects and priorities as needed
• Ability to identify needs and take action to address them
• Well-developed business ethics and the ability to maintain a high level of discretion
• Self-aware and motivated: engaged in continuous reflection and improvement
• Enthusiastic about attending school events and contributing to the community outside the counselling role
• This job description should be seen as enabling rather than restrictive and will be subject to regular review.

Skills and preferred experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Science, or a related discipline, (Graduate degree preferred), along with a practitioner counselling qualification
• A teaching qualification is highly desired
• Minimum 3 years of experience working with young people aged 15-18 years – experience working in an International School environment and/or residential setting is preferred
• Business-level English is a must. Bilingual abilities are desirable, although not essential (Japanese is an advantage)
• Strong written, verbal and organisational skills, with an emphasis on confidentiality, tact and diplomacy
• Due to the location of our school, a Japanese or international driver’s permit (IDP) is a must

How to apply

Please submit the following documents to recruit@uwcisak.jp:

• Cover Letter
• CV
• Note: Successful candidates will need to complete a criminal background check (arranged and paid for by the school) before the final employment contract is issued.

Safeguarding and inclusivity

All employees must adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy at all times. If, in the course of carrying out their duties, a teacher becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School, they must report those concerns to the DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) or DDSL (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead) immediately.