KS3/4 Counsellor/Learning Mentor in Doncaster

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.