Sessional Children & Young People Counsellor (school based) in Dundee

Tayside Council on Alcohol

Job Description and Person Specification

Post: Sessional Children & Young People Counsellor (school based)

Salary: £15.56 to £15.91, depending on skills and experience

Reference No: 14/26

Terms: 7 hours per week, sessional; job share considered

Funding is available until June 2026, with scope for extension.

Responsible to: Dundee Service Manager and Business Manager

Place of Work: The contractual base for this post is the Dundee office. The post holder will primarily be based at Morgan Academy and its associated cluster primary schools and will also be expected to support referrals from Brechin where required. Travel expenses will be reimbursed in line with TCA policy.

Purpose/Introduction

Are you an ambitious, creative, and influential practitioner with a passion for supporting young people to make positive changes in their lives?

The purpose of this post is to provide counselling within a school setting, support the promotion and effective delivery of TCA’s counselling services, and help young people experiencing emotional and wellbeing concerns. The post holder will help ensure that the service is accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to all who come into contact with the agency.

Please note that applicants must hold a professional counselling qualification, such as a diploma or master’s degree, and must be registered with COSCA or BACP.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake one-to-one counselling sessions with young people who are experiencing wellbeing and emotional issues.
• Provide an accessible, flexible and creative counselling service for young people in school, with provision available outside school hours and during school holidays where required.
• Deliver counseling through alternative platforms where this best meets the needs of the young person.
• Liaise with school clusters and the named person within each school.
• Maintain knowledge of GIRFEC and SHANARRI principles, as well as alternative services available for children and young people.
• Complete required outcome records and reports within agreed timeframes.
• Engage with appropriate supervision.
• Work effectively with TCA colleagues, including specialist counsellors, to provide a responsive, efficient, and effective service for clients.
• Liaise with other relevant services and agencies as required.
• Attend partnership and multi-agency meetings as required.
• Use agreed procedures, documentation, and case management processes within the service.
• Assist with the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the service.
• Work within TCA, BACP and COSCA ethical and operational guidelines, contribute as a member of the TCA team, and support the ongoing development of the agency.
• Carry out any other duties that the Line Manager or TCA may reasonably request.

General Requirements

• Promote and safeguard the welfare of young people involved in, or encountered through, practice.
• Maintain an up-to-date working knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory frameworks, codes of practice, Education Scotland guidance and local child protection procedures. Attend required school training and adhere to school child protection policies.
• Comply with statutory requirements, local protocols, GDPR and confidentiality requirements, organisational policies, and Health and Safety at Work requirements.
• Work flexibly to meet the needs of the counselling service, including work outside usual office hours and travel as required.
• Carry out duties in line with TCA’s Equality and Diversity policy, showing sensitivity to the needs of others, and helping to maintain a positive working environment.
• Participate in individual and group supervision and relevant team meetings.

NB: Everyone is expected to adhere to Diversity & Equality and Health and Safety Policies.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications:

• Post Graduate diploma in Counselling
• Professional registration with BACP/COSCA
• Evidence of continuing personal development
• Join the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme through Disclosure Scotland.

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• Experience working with children and young people, including an understanding of their needs, wellbeing concerns, and the wider issues that may affect them.
• Experience of teamwork and inter‑agency collaboration, with the ability to liaise, negotiate, and build constructive relationships with individuals, schools and partner organisations.
• Ability to identify needs, contribute to assessments and reviews, use formal assessment tools where appropriate, and translate needs into clear plans of support.
• A flexible, creative, and person-centred approach to counselling, with confidence, enthusiasm and the ability to work on your own initiative.
• Strong verbal, written, and IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office, and a willingness to undertake further training relevant to the post.
• Commitment to equality, inclusion, and empowerment, including the ability to challenge discrimination and develop positive working partnerships.
• Willingness to work outside normal working hours, with a full current driving licence and access to a car.

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