School Counsellor Required: Surbiton, Surrey
Surbiton High School
Salary: Competitive
Start Date: ASAP, or September 2023
Job Purpose: You will be an experienced child and adolescent psychologist or psychotherapist, working alongside our pastoral team in further developing Surbiton High School’s excellent reputation in focusing on pupil well-being, resilience and emotional health.
Start Date: ASAP, or September 2023
Tenure: Permanent, Part-time
1 to 3 days per week (Monday and/or Tuesday and/or Friday preferred)
Term-time, plus occasions in the holidays when required (approx. 38 weeks)
Salary: Competitive
Application Deadline: 8:00am, Wednesday 19 April 2023
Interviews to be held week commencing: 24 April 2023
Key Responsibilities:
- To lead on one-to-one therapeutic work with teenagers and children, covering a variety of emotional health issues
- To assess pupils and formulate an appropriate therapy/care at School plan
- To liaise with parents where necessary (respecting appropriate confidentiality) to ensure the young person is supported well. For example: discussing parenting techniques or facilitating communication between the young person and their family
- To liaise with teaching and other pastoral staff to ensure the young person feels supported in school
- To co-ordinate with external parties such as CAMHS, GPs and psychiatrists to ensure the young person’s well-being and safety is protected
- To provide year groups, or smaller groups of pupils, as well as parent groups and staff members, with psycho-educational talks and seminars on all relevant aspects of emotional health for young people
- To develop and implement (in conjunction with the Lead Counsellor and other members of the pastoral team) a continually evolving plan for ensuring the emotional well-being for Surbiton High School pupils
- To carry out any such duties as may be reasonably requested
Working patterns
This role is offered over one, two or three days per week (to be discussed at interview), when the School is in session during term-time, plus on an ad hoc basis during the School holidays. Attendance is required at School for any INSET days or similar which may fall on the days immediately prior to the start or at the end of term. The contracted hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm given that early and late appointments are often needed by pupils. Occasionally, attendance at parent meetings outside these hours may be needed, although notice will be given. Seminars for pupils or parents may take place in the early evenings, although will likely be limited to a handful in any one term. Similarly, on rare occasions, due to the nature of the work, telephone calls and email exchanges may be needed out of hours to ensure the welfare of pupils.
Person Specification
The successful candidate will be likely to fit the following profile:
Qualifications
- Post-graduate counselling or psychotherapeutic qualification, either to Doctorate or Masters level.
- They will also be accredited by the British Psychological Society, the UK Council for Psychotherapy, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or equivalent.
Experience
- At least five years’ post qualification and accreditation.
- Demonstrate a clear track record in working with children and adolescent clients, preferably in a school setting.
- Some experience of running workshops or providing psychoeducational talks would be an advantage.
- Whilst this is primarily a child and adolescent focused role, experience of working with adults in a therapeutic setting is also necessary, given that our School community also includes staff and parents.
Skills, Attitudes and Personal Qualities
- Therapeutic attributes such as empathy, respect and excellent listening skills.
- Excellent communication skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with everyone in the school community from the youngest pupil to the most senior member of staff.
- Desire to contribute to the overall wellbeing plan of the School.
- Excellent organisational skills; you will be managing your own diary and appointments.
- The maintenance of appropriate and respectful boundaries and other ethical requirements such as confidentiality, discretion and integrity.
- High personal standards, reliability, and a friendly, committed and professional attitude are necessary.
- Confidence in liaising with parents and outside professionals.
- Committed to Surbiton High School’s ethos and strategic vision.
- Committed to professional development and show a willingness to undertake any appropriate training for this role.
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