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
- 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
- A thorough knowledge of Child Protection
- Awareness of requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act, Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act as applied to the counselling role
- Evidence of post qualifying supervised practice
- Experience of working with other agencies
- Experience of counselling in an education environment
- Experience of working with children of both sexes aged 2.5-11 Years
- 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
- Caring and sensitive
- Patient and tolerant
- A mature and non-judgemental outlook