Overview
We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, conscientious and experienced KS3/4 Counsellor/Learning Mentor, to work as part of our dedicated Inclusion team at Swinton Academy. The purpose of this role is to raise the attainment and support the well‑being of young people who are struggling with accessing mainstream school for a variety of reasons, including repeat suspension, challenging behaviour and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) issues.
Responsibilities
- Have strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workload, manage competing demands, and maintain accurate records.
- Liaise with parents to ensure the young person is supported well.
- Provide a drop‑in service for all students.
- Independently plan and deliver tailored 1:1 & small group support for KS3 & KS4 children with SEN based on the assess, plan, do, review model.
- Liaise with school staff, including the Designated Safeguarding Lead, and other professionals as appropriate to ensure the effective operation of the service.
- Support parents.
- Attend meetings and briefings as required and provide an evidence‑based graduated response.
- Maintain confidential notes on all counselling sessions.
- Promote a caring and supportive environment where concerns can be explored, thereby promoting mental and emotional health.
- Uphold good practice as described by the BACP ethical guidelines.
- Liaise with relevant staff within the academy, making them aware of problems experienced by students and to make recommendations as to how these may be managed/resolved, as appropriate.
- Liaise with other professionals, including attending meetings within the academy and with outside agencies, as appropriate.
- Be alert to trends and patterns of issues that affect children and adolescence.
- Play an active role in safeguarding children and adhere to the academy policies.
Qualifications
- Hold a diploma‑level counselling qualification and be registered with a professional body such as BACP.
- Be able to work creatively and adapt therapy and interventions to suit the developmental needs of children and young people, using tools like YP Core and SDQ.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.
- Commitment to safeguarding and confidentiality.
- Demonstrate empathy, respect, and a genuine desire to support young people, while aligning with the ethos of Swinton Academy.
Desired qualifications and personal qualities
- Recognition of a professional counselling qualification to diploma level or equivalent and be a BACP member/registered to a professional body.
- The Certificate in National Learning Mentor Training is desirable.
- The ability to be creative/playful in their work in consideration of the child's developmental age.
- The ability to adapt the therapy/intervention in a meaningful/useful way for the young person.
- The ability to maintain confidentiality within the academies' safeguarding procedures.
- The ability to work effectively with a range of colleagues both within the academy and from external agencies.
- Excellent interpersonal and team working skills.
- Demonstrate the key personal qualities of empathy, respect, and a genuine desire to support young people.
- A desire to make a difference to the lives of young people.
- Excellent communication skills with both pupils and staff.
- Engage fully in Swinton Academy's ethos by promoting positive values, attitudes and behaviour and by thinking creatively and reflectively within a forward‑thinking aspirational team, whilst keeping the needs of the students firmly at the centre.
