School Counsellor Onboarding Checklist

School Counsellor Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new School Counsellor starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Education onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new School Counsellor, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample School Counsellor onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

School Counsellor Onboarding Checklist

1. Introduction to the school: The new school counselor should be given a comprehensive introduction to the school, including its mission, values, and organizational structure. This task is typically performed by the principal or a designated staff member.

2. Familiarization with policies and procedures: The new counselor should be provided with a detailed overview of the school’s policies and procedures, such as student confidentiality, crisis intervention protocols, and reporting guidelines. This task is usually performed by the school counselor supervisor or a senior counselor.

3. Orientation to the counseling department: The new counselor should be introduced to the counseling department, including meeting other counselors, support staff, and understanding their roles and responsibilities. This task is typically performed by the counseling department head or a senior counselor.

4. Review of student records: The new counselor should be given access to student records and guided through the process of reviewing and understanding them. This task is usually performed by the school registrar or a designated staff member.

5. Training on counseling software and tools: The new counselor should receive training on any software or tools used for student record-keeping, scheduling, and communication. This task is typically performed by the school’s IT department or a designated staff member.

6. Introduction to student support services: The new counselor should be introduced to other student support services available in the school, such as special education, career counseling, and academic support programs. This task is usually performed by the respective department heads or coordinators.

7. Shadowing experienced counselors: The new counselor should have the opportunity to shadow experienced counselors to observe counseling sessions, group meetings, and other activities. This task is typically arranged by the counseling department head or a senior counselor.

8. Collaboration with teachers and administrators: The new counselor should be encouraged to collaborate with teachers and administrators to understand their expectations, share resources, and establish effective communication channels. This task is typically facilitated by the counseling department head or a senior counselor.

9. Professional development opportunities: The new counselor should be informed about professional development opportunities, such as workshops, conferences, and webinars, to enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest counseling practices. This task is typically communicated by the counseling department head or a designated staff member.

10. Introduction to community resources: The new counselor should be provided with information about local community resources, such as mental health clinics, social services, and youth organizations, that can support students and families. This task is typically performed by the counseling department head or a senior counselor.

11. Review of emergency procedures: The new counselor should be trained on emergency procedures, including lockdown drills, evacuation plans, and crisis response protocols. This task is typically performed by the school’s safety officer or a designated staff member.

12. Introduction to the school’s counseling curriculum: The new counselor should be introduced to the school’s counseling curriculum, including the topics covered, resources available, and any specific guidelines to follow. This task is typically performed by the counseling department head or a senior counselor.

13. Building relationships with students: The new counselor should be encouraged to build relationships with students by attending school events, introducing themselves in classrooms, and being available for informal conversations. This task is typically facilitated by the counseling department head or a senior counselor.

14. Establishing communication channels with parents/guardians: The new counselor should be guided on establishing effective communication channels with parents/guardians, such as through newsletters, parent-teacher conferences, and online platforms. This task is typically performed by the counseling department head or a senior counselor.

15. Evaluation and feedback: The new counselor should receive regular evaluations and feedback from their supervisor or a designated staff member to assess their progress, identify areas for improvement, and provide ongoing support. This task is typically performed by the counseling department head or a senior counselor

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example School Counsellor checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new School Counsellor up to speed and working well in your Education team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.