At a Glance
- Tasks: Support student mental health through counselling, workshops, and wellbeing events.
- Company: Join South Thames Colleges Group, a leading provider of post-16 education in London.
- Benefits: Generous leave, excellent pension scheme, subsidised sports facilities, and professional development.
- Other info: Collaborative environment focused on student success and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while promoting positive mental health.
- Qualifications: Level 4 Diploma in Counselling or higher, with experience in educational settings.
The Counselling and Wellbeing Advisor plays a vital role in supporting and promoting student mental health across the College. Delivering individual and group counselling, workshops and drop-in services, you will work closely with Student Services to provide a holistic, student-centred approach to wellbeing.
In this role, you will deliver one-to-one counselling sessions and on occasion, be involved in group delivery, workshops and drop-in support focused on key wellbeing themes. You will maintain accurate and confidential records in line with professional and ethical standards, undertake risk assessments, and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns. Working collaboratively with internal teams and external agencies, you will ensure students receive the right support, while effectively managing a counselling caseload alongside administrative responsibilities and engaging in continuous professional development.
You will contribute to the wider Student Services wellbeing offer by supporting and delivering college-wide wellbeing events and activities. This includes helping to design and facilitate initiatives that promote positive mental health across the student population, as well as delivering wellbeing-focused induction sessions to groups of new students. This will also include creating promotional material and resources and the sharing and dissemination of these via platforms such as Teams and SharePoint.
We are seeking a qualified professional with a minimum Level 4 Diploma or Foundation Degree in Counselling, supported by evidence of CPD, or a Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People (CYP). You will have at least 200 hours of counselling practice, including a minimum of 50 hours working with children and young people aged 4–18 if your core training is adult-focused. You will be a registered member of a recognised professional body such as BACP, UKCP or NCPS, and have experience delivering both individual and group counselling sessions.
You will have experience working with clients presenting with complex and multiple mental health needs, ideally within educational settings or relevant environments such as CAMHS or NHS services. You will also be skilled in assessing client suitability for counselling, making appropriate referrals to external services, and hold strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage with students, staff and parents.
The benefits package includes generous annual leave of 27 days plus up to 8 additional days over Christmas/New Year as well as an additional 5 days Wellbeing leave to enhance employees’ physical and mental health. There is an excellent pension scheme that receives a significant financial contribution from the employer (Teachers Pensions or Local Government Pension Scheme), subsidised sports facilities and professional development and training plus a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. The benefits package is pro rated for part time staff.
As part of our due diligence checks on prospective employees, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, an online search and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
As outlined in the Public Sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
The South Thames Colleges Group is made up of Carshalton College, Kingston College, Merton College and South Thames College, which merged on 1 August 2017. South Thames Colleges Group is one of London’s largest providers of post-16 education and training and is an ongoing and significant contributor to its local communities. We aim to put students’ success at the heart of everything we do.
We are looking for hard-working and collaborative people who can join our team and help challenge our students to achieve and progress.
Counselling and Wellbeing Adviser x2 in Grove employer: Kingston College
The South Thames Colleges Group is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With generous benefits such as 27 days of annual leave, additional wellbeing leave, and a robust pension scheme, employees are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in London, this role offers the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on student mental health while collaborating with a passionate team committed to educational excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Counselling and Wellbeing Adviser x2 in Grove
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the counselling and wellbeing field. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common questions for counselling roles and practice your responses. Think about your experiences and how they relate to the job description. We want you to shine when it’s your turn to talk about your skills and passion for student wellbeing.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring along examples of your work, whether it’s resources you’ve created or feedback from students. This will help demonstrate your hands-on experience and commitment to promoting mental health, which is key for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. So, hit that apply button and let’s get you one step closer to joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Counselling and Wellbeing Adviser x2 in Grove
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Counselling and Wellbeing Adviser. We want to see how you can contribute to promoting student mental health, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant experiences!
Showcase Your Qualifications:Clearly outline your qualifications, especially your Level 4 or Level 5 Diploma in Counselling. We’re looking for evidence of your CPD and counselling practice, so include those details to make your application stand out.
Be Clear and Concise:When filling out the application, keep your language clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your experience and skills, making it easier for us to see why you’d be a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our team there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kingston College
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the key responsibilities of a Counselling and Wellbeing Adviser. Brush up on your knowledge of mental health issues, counselling techniques, and the specific needs of students in an educational setting. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous counselling experience, especially any work with children and young people. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've handled complex cases or contributed to wellbeing initiatives. This will demonstrate your capability and readiness for the role.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the college’s approach to student wellbeing and how you can contribute. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you.
✨Be Professional Yet Approachable
As a Counselling and Wellbeing Adviser, you’ll need to balance professionalism with approachability. During the interview, aim to convey warmth and empathy while maintaining a professional demeanour. This will reflect the qualities they’re looking for in a candidate who will support students effectively.
