School Counsellor

School Counsellor

Caernarfon Full-Time 10700 - 11300 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Provide counselling support to young people in schools, both virtually and face-to-face.
  • Company: Join Gwynedd Council, a bilingual organisation dedicated to supporting the well-being of children and young people.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while working in a dynamic and collaborative team.
  • Qualifications: Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and experience with children and young people required.
  • Other info: Fluency in Welsh and English is essential; applications can be submitted bilingually.

The predicted salary is between 10700 - 11300 £ per year.

Salary

GBP 32,526.00 – 34,160.00 per year

Job Details

Gwynedd Council offers an attractive employment package. The Council operates bilingually (Welsh and English); applicants are encouraged to submit applications in Welsh or bilingually. The linguistic requirements of the job are noted in the Person Specification and must be met.

Interview date to be confirmed. Applications and further details are available from Support Service, Gwynedd Council, Council Offices, Caernarfon, LL55 1SH. Tel: 01286 679076. E-mail: Swyddi@gwynedd.llyw.cymru.

Closing date: 10:00 AM, 13/02/2026.

The Council will request a Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service for the successful candidate. If shortlisted for an interview you will be contacted by e-mail using the address provided on your application form.

Person Specification

Personal attributes

  • Essential: Excellent communication and listening skills in Welsh and English.
  • The ability to respect and deal with clients in the strictest confidence.
  • Knowledge of Protection Procedures with regards to children and young people and how schools work with Safeguarding systems.
  • Knowledge of issues affecting and disrupting young people’s lives.
  • The capacity to work through personal motivation and work independently.
  • Ability to form good working relationships with colleagues and other agencies.
  • An enthusiasm for working with children and young people.
  • Patience, tolerance and sensitivity.
  • Ability to work under pressure and to react quickly and competently to unexpected events.

Desirable: Ability to develop new skills and make use of unfamiliar software programmes.

Qualifications and relevant training

  • Essential: Qualification in Counselling at a Post Graduate Diploma or equivalent recognised by BACP.
  • Holder, or working towards BACP Accreditation.
  • Higher academic or occupational qualification in a relevant field of study.
  • Registered member of BACP.
  • Desirable: Any specific training required for the post including accreditation; qualification and/or training in art/drama/play therapy.

Relevant experience

  • Essential: Experience of working as a counsellor; working with children and young people; keeping standardised notes; collaboration with others; good IT skills and experience of computer and database programmes; awareness of Data Protection/GDPR.
  • Desirable: Experience of working in schools; offering counselling virtually (video, phone, e-mail); offering creative therapy.

Skills and specialist knowledge

  • Essential: Counselling/psychotherapy training to a Post Graduate Diploma level.
  • Desirable: –

Language requirements

  • Listening and Speaking – Higher: Able to follow conversations in Welsh and English professionally; able to present information and respond to questions in Welsh or English.
  • Reading and Understanding – Higher: Able to understand standard written Welsh and English; gather information from various sources in both languages.
  • Writing – Higher: Present written information confidently in Welsh and English; able to respond to written requests.

Job Description

Purpose of the post

  • To ensure that the children and young people of Gwynedd and Anglesey are central to everything we do.
  • Provide a counselling service for young people within Gwynedd and Anglesey secondary and primary schools. The service is offered virtually using video link, chat, telephone and e-mail; training is available to support this.

Responsibility for functions

  • Laptop and mobile phone.

Main duties

  • Serve as a team member to provide an effective, professional and statutory counselling service for young people when and as needed.
  • Provide face-to-face and/or virtual counselling for individuals who will benefit from counselling, including one-to-one assessments in compliance with BACP regulations and reasonable caseload management.
  • Ensure every client is assessed and either attended to by the service or referred appropriately.
  • Adhere to recognised standards of counselling providers: BACP Code of Practice and Ethical Framework; Welsh Government guidance; safeguarding commitments; and ethics balance.
  • Maintain standardised notes in compliance with Data Protection; input data into the service’s information management system; and ensure records are kept securely.
  • Coordinate with other key workers and agencies; maintain confidentiality boundaries; promote the service within schools and amongst parents and professionals.

Undertake other tasks related to providing counselling in schools as reasonably requested by a line manager. Maintain a high level of confidentiality while safeguarding children and young people; monitor needs throughout the therapeutic process; manage risk and ensure appropriate action as required.

General duties include self-development, health and safety compliance, equal opportunities, information management, and responding to reasonable requests from the Head of Education Service. Responsible for reporting concerns about child or vulnerable adult abuse.

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School Counsellor employer: Educators Wales

Gwynedd Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of its employees and the community it serves. With a strong commitment to bilingualism, a supportive work culture, and opportunities for professional development, particularly in the field of counselling, staff are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people in Gwynedd and Anglesey. The council's focus on collaboration and ethical practice ensures a fulfilling work environment where every team member can thrive.
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Contact Detail:

Educators Wales Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land School Counsellor

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the Welsh language requirements for this role. Since the position requires excellent communication skills in both Welsh and English, consider brushing up on your Welsh speaking and writing skills to demonstrate your commitment to meeting these essential criteria.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the counselling field, especially those who have experience working in schools. Engaging with others in the industry can provide you with valuable insights and potentially lead to recommendations that could strengthen your application.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for potential interview questions by reflecting on your experiences with children and young people. Think about specific examples where you've demonstrated patience, sensitivity, and effective communication, as these are key attributes for a School Counsellor.

✨Tip Number 4

Stay updated on current issues affecting young people's mental health and well-being. Being knowledgeable about recent trends and challenges can help you engage in meaningful discussions during the interview and show your passion for supporting students.

We think you need these skills to ace School Counsellor

Excellent communication skills in Welsh and English
Active listening skills
Confidentiality and ethical practice
Knowledge of safeguarding procedures
Understanding of issues affecting young people
Ability to work independently and self-motivate
Strong interpersonal skills for collaboration
Patience, tolerance, and sensitivity
Ability to work under pressure
Experience in counselling children and young people
Proficiency in IT and database management
Understanding of Data Protection/GDPR principles
Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling or equivalent
Registered member of BACP or working towards accreditation
Experience with virtual counselling methods
Ability to maintain accurate case records

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Language Requirements: Since Gwynedd Council operates bilingually, it's crucial to assess your language skills. If you're proficient in Welsh, consider submitting your application in both Welsh and English to demonstrate your capability.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience working with children and young people, particularly in counselling roles. Mention any specific training or qualifications that align with the job description, such as your Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling.

Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to detail your communication and listening skills, especially in both Welsh and English. Provide examples of how you've successfully built relationships with clients and colleagues in previous roles.

Follow Application Instructions Carefully: Pay close attention to the application process outlined by Gwynedd Council. Ensure you submit all required documents and check for any specific instructions regarding the format or content of your application.

How to prepare for a job interview at Educators Wales

✨Brush Up on Bilingual Skills

Since the role requires excellent communication in both Welsh and English, make sure to practice your language skills. Prepare to discuss your experiences and qualifications in both languages, as this will demonstrate your ability to meet the linguistic requirements of the job.

✨Showcase Your Counselling Experience

Be ready to share specific examples from your previous counselling roles, especially those involving children and young people. Highlight your understanding of safeguarding procedures and how you've applied them in real situations to reassure the interviewers of your competence.

✨Prepare for Ethical Scenarios

Expect questions about ethical dilemmas you might face in the role. Think through scenarios where confidentiality and child protection intersect, and be prepared to explain how you would handle such situations while adhering to the BACP Code of Practice.

✨Demonstrate Your Teamwork Skills

The role involves collaboration with school staff and other agencies. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully worked in teams before, focusing on your ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with colleagues to support young people's well-being.

School Counsellor
Educators Wales
Location: Caernarfon
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