Psychosocial Support and Counselling Services
· Provide basic psychosocial support services to learners, facilitators, and community members participating in the SDL Programme.
· Conduct individual and group counselling sessions for learners facing emotional, social, family, or personal challenges.
· Provide psychosocial support to learners experiencing stress, anxiety, trauma, social isolation, or other psychosocial challenges.
· Offer support to survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and facilitate referrals to specialized service providers when required.
· Promote learner well-being and resilience through supportive counselling approaches.
· Facilitate discussions and activities that promote Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), self-awareness, self-confidence, communication skills, empathy, and positive relationships.
· Encourage learners to identify and utilize positive coping strategies and self-help techniques.
· Support learners facing attendance, retention, or participation challenges.
· Maintain confidentiality and uphold ethical standards in all counselling interactions.
Class Visits and Learner Support
· Visit SDL classes regularly, with a minimum of one visit per class per month or as directed by the project.
· Conduct awareness sessions on psychosocial support, emotional well-being, stress management, and resilience.
· Explain the purpose and benefits of psychosocial support and counselling services to learners and facilitators.
· Encourage learners to discuss challenges affecting their learning and participation.
· Identify learners who may require additional support and follow-up.
· Coordinate with facilitators to identify learners experiencing psychosocial or emotional difficulties.
· Support interventions aimed at improving learner attendance, participation, retention, and completion.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Activities
· Facilitate SEL activities and discussions during class visits and community events.
· Promote positive communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills among learners.
· Support development of learners' confidence, self-esteem, and interpersonal skills.
· Encourage inclusive and respectful interactions among learners.
· Integrate SEL concepts into psychosocial support activities and awareness sessions.
Community Awareness and Engagement
· Conduct awareness sessions within communities on mental health, psychosocial well-being, stress management, positive coping mechanisms, and emotional resilience.
· Engage with Village Skills Committees (VSCs), community leaders, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to promote awareness of psychosocial support services.
· Support efforts to reduce stigma associated with mental health and seeking psychosocial support.
· Promote supportive family and community environments for learners.
· Participate in community outreach events, awareness campaigns, and project meetings.
Parenting Education Support
· Support implementation of Parenting Education activities and sessions where required.
· Promote awareness among parents and caregivers regarding positive parenting practices and family well-being.
· Support facilitators in identifying psychosocial issues affecting learners and families.
· Encourage participation of parents and caregivers in parenting education activities.
· Provide basic guidance on family communication, child well-being, and supportive home learning environments.
Referral and Case Support
· Identify beneficiaries requiring specialized psychosocial, protection, health, legal, or social services.
· Refer individuals requiring advanced support to appropriate service providers in accordance with approved referral pathways.
· Coordinate with health facilities, protection actors, social service providers, and relevant organizations to facilitate referrals.
· Follow up on referrals where appropriate and feasible.
· Maintain records of referrals and actions taken while respecting confidentiality requirements.
· Immediately report serious protection concerns through appropriate channels in accordance with safeguarding procedures.
Capacity Building and Training
· Conduct awareness sessions and basic training for facilitators, community mobilizers, VSC members, and other project personnel on:
o Mental health awareness;
o Psychosocial support principles;
o Social and Emotional Learning (SEL);
o Stress management techniques;
o Positive coping mechanisms;
o Psychological First Aid (PFA);
o Gender-Based Violence (GBV) awareness and referral;
o Safeguarding and protection principles.
· Support integration of psychosocial support concepts into project implementation activities.
· Participate in project trainings and refresher sessions.
Monitoring and Reporting
· Maintain accurate records of counseling sessions, awareness activities, referrals, and follow-up actions.
· Maintain beneficiary confidentiality and secure storage of counseling records.
· Prepare monthly activity reports and submit them to the Project Officer and relevant supervisors.
· Report on key psychosocial issues affecting learners and communities.
· Document challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations to improve psychosocial support services.
· Contribute to project monitoring and reporting processes as required.
Safeguarding and Protection
· Promote safeguarding, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), child protection, and protection principles throughout project implementation.
· Ensure that counseling services are delivered in a safe, respectful, confidential, and non-discriminatory manner.
· Identify and report safeguarding concerns in accordance with approved reporting procedures.
· Support beneficiaries in accessing available complaints and feedback mechanisms.
· Maintain professional boundaries and ethical conduct at all times.
Coordination and Collaboration
· Coordinate closely with Project Officers, PCMs, DCMs, Facilitators, Master Trainers, and M&E Officers.
· Participate in project coordination meetings and planning sessions.
· Support community-based interventions aimed at improving learner well-being and participation.
· Work collaboratively with project teams to address barriers affecting learner participation and success.
· Perform any other project-related duties assigned by the Project Officer to support effective implementation of the SDL Programme.
