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- Tasks: Provide counselling to primary school children, manage appointments, and assess risks.
- Company: Join Dialogue School Counselling, a trusted service in Sussex and Surrey since 1996.
- Benefits: Enjoy a flexible schedule, working only one day a week during term time.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive school environment.
- Qualifications: Must have a Level 4 counselling qualification and two years of experience with young people.
- Other info: We welcome diverse candidates; if you have unique skills, we want to hear from you!
The predicted salary is between 19980 - 22180 £ per year.
6 hours per week / £33,130 per annum pro rata / Permanent – term time only / Working one day week, to be discussed at interview
Our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, increasing life skills and self-confidence, and improving emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Established in 1996, Dialogue School Counselling is a BACP accredited school counselling service covering Sussex and Surrey. Dialogue has built an excellent reputation with schools, professionals and commissioners and the service has developed and expanded over the years, now operating across Brighton & Hove, East and West Sussex, and Surrey.
We are recruiting for a qualified counsellor with experience of working with primary school age children and liaising with parents to join our team and deliver the school counselling service at St. Margaret's CE Primary School in Rottingdean, East Sussex.
We are seeking a qualified counsellor who is passionate about making a difference to lives of the children they work with. You will have a keen interest in and experience of working with children of primary school age.
Key responsibilities
- Run a suitable appointment system flexible to the needs of the school, offering students appropriate assessments and counselling appointments
- Manage the tight time boundaries of the role and the often complex and varied workload
- Liaise with school staff over referrals, waiting lists and appointments
- Carry out initial clinical and risk assessments and establish appropriate referral pathways with other services where appropriate. Continually assess risk throughout each student’s counselling.
- Follow YMCA Dialogue safeguarding procedures; to know who the School’s Designated Safeguarding Officer/s is and how to contact them when a safeguarding concern arises
- Work at all times within the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions
- Maintain individual membership of the BACP and to become a Registered Member (or other professional body such as HCPC)
- You will establish good professional working relationships with key school staff
ABOUT YOU: We know that there are great candidates who will not fit everything described, or who have important skills we have not mentioned. If that is you, please do not hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.
Qualifications, knowledge, and experience
- You will have a Counselling or Psychotherapy qualification, minimum Level four and ideally Level six, and two years’ post qualifying experience in individual counselling or therapy with young people. This will include working with risk issues
- You will also have a sound understanding of child protection and vulnerable adult safeguarding issues, policies, and procedures
- You will have proven experience in safeguarding children and young people; responding to, managing, and referring safeguarding issues
- You will have a BACP Membership; BACP Registered or Accredited. Or other professional body e.g. HCPC
- You will have a keen interest in working with children and will be familiar with using creative therapeutic approaches, along with experience of working in a school setting
School Counsellor employer: YMCA DOWNSLINK GROUP
Contact Detail:
YMCA DOWNSLINK GROUP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Counsellor
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to highlight your experience working with primary school age children in your conversations. Share specific examples of how you've positively impacted their emotional wellbeing and mental health.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarize yourself with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. Being able to discuss how you adhere to these guidelines will show your commitment to professional standards.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your approach to managing a flexible appointment system. Think about how you can balance the needs of the school with the individual needs of students.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your enthusiasm for creative therapeutic approaches. Be ready to share any innovative methods you've used in the past that have engaged children and helped them express themselves.
We think you need these skills to ace School Counsellor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and qualifications required for the School Counsellor position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills in working with primary school age children.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your counselling qualifications, particularly any experience you have with children and safeguarding issues. Mention specific examples of how you've made a difference in similar roles.
Show Your Passion: Express your passion for working with children and improving their emotional wellbeing. Share any creative therapeutic approaches you have used in the past and how they benefited the children you worked with.
Follow Application Instructions: Carefully read the application instructions provided by Dialogue School Counselling. Ensure that you submit all required documents, including your CV, cover letter, and proof of qualifications, through the StudySmarter website.
How to prepare for a job interview at YMCA DOWNSLINK GROUP
✨Show Your Passion for Working with Children
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for helping children and young people. Share specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your commitment to improving their emotional wellbeing and mental health.
✨Demonstrate Your Understanding of Safeguarding
Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of child protection policies and safeguarding procedures. Highlight any relevant experiences where you successfully managed safeguarding issues, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Discuss Your Therapeutic Approaches
Talk about the creative therapeutic methods you have used in your practice. Provide examples of how these approaches have positively impacted the children you’ve worked with, showcasing your adaptability and understanding of their needs.
✨Prepare Questions for the Interviewers
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about the school's culture, the support available for counsellors, or how they measure the success of their counselling services. It shows your interest and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
