At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide counselling and support to young people in schools, ensuring a safe environment.
- Company: Familyworks is a dedicated counselling service supporting schools across Northern Ireland.
- Benefits: Enjoy term-time hours, CPD training, health plans, and support for BACP accreditation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while working in a supportive team culture.
- Qualifications: Professional counselling qualification and experience with children or young people required.
- Other info: Applications must be submitted electronically; ensure all sections of the form are completed.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Familyworks is a Newtownards-based counselling service providing counselling to Primary, Post-Primary & Special schools across Northern Ireland. We are looking to add to our team of part-time permanent counsellors for our Post-Primary Schools Counselling Team in the Belfast area (various hours available). The positions are term-time. We are seeking counsellors who have a vision, desire and ability to make a difference in young people's lives. We are interested in people who are committed to excellence and best practice and who are willing to work alongside our dynamic team to make this happen.
Supervision
- CPD training
- Mileage
- Support and financial contribution towards the BACP accreditation process
- Pension Scheme (Depending on contracted hours)
- Westfield Health Plan - cover includes £150 towards optical, £150 towards dental, £300 towards dental emergency, £250 towards therapies and £300 towards consultation. Also includes 6 counselling sessions per year (Depending on contracted hours)
Key responsibilities
- To deliver safe and confidential counselling, drop ins and group work for young people referred to Familyworks’ School Counselling Programme, in a Post-Primary school setting
- To develop effective working partnerships with senior management and teaching staff to ensure delivery of a high-quality service in schools
- To deal with risk and safeguarding issues in accordance with legal and ethical requirements, in consultation with Familyworks management
- To record data electronically, experience in Microsoft and confidence in using data recording software is essential
- Typically counselling takes place during term time, on school premises and during school hours
Qualifications
- Professional qualification in counselling or psychotherapy (minimum Level 4 /Level 7 Scotland) or Masters, or equivalent counselling or psychotherapy qualification as regulated by the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) or the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) and from a recognised or a relevant validating organisation e.g. Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB).
- Accredited (or working toward completion, to be accredited no later than one year after start date) with BACP, IACP or NCPS (Professionally accredited)
- Registered member with BACP, IACP or NCPS
- Minimum of 100 hours post qualification, clinically supervised practice in counselling children & young people up to the age of 18
- Or have a minimum of 100 hours post qualification experience of working with adults and have successfully completed the Level 5 CPCAB Diploma in Counselling Children & Young People.
- Have an understanding of child development and an awareness of issues impacting on a young person.
Please see full criteria in the attached job description. Applications should be completed electronically and sent via email or post to: The Application Officer, Familyworks, 2b Regent Street, Newtownards, BT23 4LH, recruitment@familyworksni.com. Monitoring Forms should also be completed and sent via email or in a separate envelope but attached to your application form. All sections of the Job Application Form must be completed in full, so please do not write in any section “see attached CV or sheet” or send a CV in place of the Job Application Form, as doing so will invalidate your application. You may, however, attach continuation sheets if necessary. To aid short-listing, the Company reserves the right to enhance any or all of the criteria stated in the Personal Specification. Northdown Enterprises Limited is an equal opportunities employer. Applicants are required to complete an enhanced Access NI check.
Contact Detail:
Familyworksni Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Counsellor (Belfast Area)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of young people in the Belfast area. Understanding local issues and challenges can help you connect better during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the counselling field, especially those who work with children and young people. Attend local workshops or seminars to meet potential colleagues and gain insights into the role and its requirements.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with safeguarding and risk management in detail. Be ready to provide examples of how you've handled sensitive situations in the past, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your commitment to continuous professional development (CPD). Mention any relevant training or courses you've completed, especially those related to counselling children and young people, to highlight your dedication to excellence.
We think you need these skills to ace School Counsellor (Belfast Area)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the key responsibilities and qualifications required for the School Counsellor position. This will help you tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences.
Complete the Job Application Form: Make sure to fill out all sections of the Job Application Form completely. Avoid writing 'see attached CV' or similar phrases, as this will invalidate your application. If necessary, use continuation sheets to provide additional information.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasise your professional qualifications in counselling or psychotherapy, along with any relevant experience working with children and young people. Mention your understanding of child development and any safeguarding training you've completed.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which is crucial for a counselling role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Familyworksni
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of what a School Counsellor does, especially in a Post-Primary setting. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description, such as delivering safe and confidential counselling and developing partnerships with school staff.
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Young People
During the interview, express your genuine desire to make a difference in young people's lives. Share any relevant experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to supporting children and adolescents through counselling.
✨Prepare for Ethical Scenarios
Be ready to discuss how you would handle risk and safeguarding issues. Think about ethical dilemmas you might face in the role and how you would approach them, demonstrating your understanding of legal and ethical requirements.
✨Highlight Your Qualifications and Experience
Ensure you clearly articulate your qualifications, including any relevant certifications and your experience working with children and young people. Be prepared to discuss your clinical supervision and how it has shaped your practice.