We’re Hiring: Children's School Counsellor

7.5 hours per week (term-time only) / £34,475 per annum, pro rata / permanent / working day is currently Tuesday 0830 - 1630 (with unpaid 30-minute break), other days can be considered and discussed at interview YMCA DownsLink Group is the leading charity for children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. We offer safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice. We believe that every child and young person has the right to be safe, heard and to shape their own future. We are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support. Dialogue has built an excellent reputation with schools, colleges, professionals and commissioners and the service has developed and expanded over the years, now operating across Brighton & Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex. We are recruiting for qualified counsellor or therapist to join our team and deliver our service at Felpham Community College in Felpham, Bognor Regis. You will be working alongside another experienced Dialogue School Counsellor and working closely with the Student Services Pastoral team at the college. We are seeking candidates who are passionate about making a difference to lives of the children they work with. You will provide an ethical, professional counselling service at Felpham Community College and will establish good professional working relationships with key school staff. You will be required to undertake assessments with parents/carers and counselling sessions with children, complete all associated admin and attend regular clinical supervision and line management meetings. Run a suitable appointment system flexible to the needs of the school, offering students appropriate assessments and counselling 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. You will have a genuine interest in working with children and young people of primary and secondary school age, together with experience of building effective therapeutic relationships. You will bring a professional, flexible approach, excellent interpersonal and time management skills, and ideally have experience of counselling children and young people using creative therapeutic approaches. Level 6 or above is desirable – along with two years’ or 450+ hours post qualifying experience in face-to-face individual counselling or therapy with young people (preferred), including experience of working with risk-related issues as a qualified counsellor. You will already have a sound understanding of child protection and vulnerable adult safeguarding issues, policies, and procedures. You will already have proven experience in safeguarding children and young people, responding to, managing, and referring safeguarding issues. CLOSING DATE: Monday 2 November at midnight. Please note that we are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship for this role; An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity check.