We are seeking a caring and experienced School Counsellor to provide confidential emotional support and counselling to primary-aged pupils within a nurturing school environment. Working closely with the pastoral team, families and external agencies, you will play a key role in supporting pupil wellbeing, safeguarding and inclusive practice. The successful candidate will be a qualified and BACP-registered counsellor with excellent communication skills, strong professional judgement and experience working with children.

Description

The School Counsellor will work with the members of the pastoral team at Chinthurst to provide a counselling service to the children within the school community. The service will provide for individual casework through a confidential appointments system.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To provide a counselling service for primary aged pupils

• To provide support and guidance to the pastoral team enabling them to better identify and support students with emotional health and well-being difficulties

• To establish effective liaison with the Head of Pastoral Care and Headteacher

• To advise the Head of Pastoral Care and Headteacher on any related issues as they occur

• To establish, maintain and monitor appropriate administrative systems with regard to student referral and to provide termly reports of the service and contribute to regular reviews keeping records/ notes in accordance with GDPR requirements

• To follow policies and procedures which govern the counselling service

• To take part in appropriate professional development

• To ensure that the BACPs Code of Ethics and Practice is adhered to

• To make use of external supervision on a regular basis in accordance with BACP guidelines.

• To take responsibility for health and safety, equal opportunities and data protection within the scope of the post

• Follow procedures for Child Protection and Safeguarding children

• Work systemically with both the family and school and outside agencies where necessary

PERSON SPECIFICATION

QUALIFICATIONS

• The successful applicant will have a Diploma in Counselling and must have experience of working with primary aged children post qualification

• BACP (Or equivalent) Accredited/Registered Counsellor Recognised training/qualification in therapeutic work with children and young people (minimum Diploma level)

• The applicant must have, or be working towards, accreditation with BACP/UKCP or equivalent

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• A thorough knowledge of Child Protection

Desirable

• Awareness of requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act, Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act as applied to the counselling role

EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Evidence of post qualifying supervised practice

• Experience of working with other agencies

Desirable

• Experience of counselling in an education environment

• Experience of working with children of both sexes aged 2.5-11 Years SKILLS Essential

• Excellent communication and listening skills

• Be committed to the concept of inclusive education and to have high expectations of all pupils

• Able to work well under pressure, exercise thoughtful judgement and display sensitivity

• Able to maintain confidentiality appropriate to the setting • Very well organised and able to maintain appropriate records

• Confident in the use of ICT

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Essential

• Caring and sensitive

• Patient and tolerant

• A mature and non-judgemental outlook