Secondary School Counsellor at The British School in Tokyo – Jan 2027 in Setagaya City

The British School in Tokyo (BST) is seeking a dedicated Secondary School Counsellor for a full-time position commencing January 2027, based at its campus in Setagaya City. This is a meaningful opportunity to join a well-established, multidisciplinary Student Support Services team within one of Tokyo’s leading British international schools.

Job Description

Reporting to the Deputy Principal, the School Counsellor will be a central figure in BST’s commitment to student wellbeing and safeguarding. The Counselling Team works alongside pastoral, medical and safeguarding colleagues to promote the physical, mental, social and emotional health of students, their families and staff across the school community.

Core responsibilities include:

• Delivering confidential individual and group counselling sessions to secondary school students, addressing a broad range of emotional and psychological needs.
• Identifying and responding to students’ social, emotional and psychological needs through appropriate assessment procedures.
• Facilitating the development and ongoing evaluation of a comprehensive whole-school counselling programme.
• Collaborating closely with the Secondary Senior Leadership Team (SSLT), Lead Nurse and wider student support staff to inform data-driven decisions and whole-school wellbeing strategies.
• Providing practical guidance and training to teaching staff to strengthen their capacity to recognise and support students experiencing emotional difficulties.
• Designing and delivering bespoke workshop programmes for student cohorts to develop emotional resilience and healthy lifestyle skills.
• Supporting student and family transitions into BST and between school and external services.
• Maintaining an active, visible presence around school to remain attuned to current student concerns and issues.
• Playing an active and significant role in the school’s safeguarding responsibilities, in line with BST’s safeguarding guidance.
• Engaging with families through Coffee Mornings, information sessions and community workshops to promote awareness of counselling services.
• Facilitating referrals to external professionals such as counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists where appropriate.
• Maintaining personal professional development and keeping current with research and best practice in school counselling.

Requirements

• Recognised professional qualification in counselling or psychotherapy (e.g. BACP, UKCP accredited, or equivalent professional body).
• Commitment to upholding BACP/UKCP ethical guidelines or the standards of an equivalent professional organisation, including regular professional supervision.
• Experience providing counselling in a school or young people’s setting is highly desirable.
• Strong ability to consult and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, senior leadership, parents and external agencies.
• Competence in using assessment tools to plan and structure counselling interventions for individuals and groups.
• A thorough understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
• Excellent communication skills and cultural sensitivity — essential for working in an internationally diverse school community.
• All appointees must satisfy an enhanced DBS check or International Child Protection Check, along with satisfactory background checks for any previous countries of residence.

Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience.
• Full-time, permanent position within a respected British international school in Tokyo.
• Supportive, collaborative working environment within a well-resourced Student Support Services team.
• Opportunities for professional development and contribution to school-wide wellbeing initiatives.

About the School

The British School in Tokyo is a leading international school delivering a British-style education to students across its campuses in Tokyo. BST prides itself on fostering an inclusive, supportive and academically excellent environment, and actively welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates of all backgrounds.

Key Dates

Start date: January 2027  |  Application deadline: 20 September 2026