Part Time School Counsellor required ASAP

Term time only One year fixed term contract.

16 hours over two or three days per week (negotiable for the right candidate)

Salary - Kent Range 8 £25,692 FTE (Actual Salary £9,392)

“The school is a nurturing, engaging place

where pupils achieve well and flourish.”

School Counsellor Job Pack

We have an exciting opportunity for a qualified and experienced Counsellor to join a strong team of Pastoral Leaders and Raising Standards Leaders to ensure that DSTC

students are safe, protected and happy.

We are looking for someone who can provide a high-quality counselling service to our students to support them with their emotional wellbeing. As well as working with students on an individual and/or group

basis, the School Counsellor will also provide support, guidance and advice to parents, carers and the school.

The successful candidate will have experience of working with young people with SEMH and SEND needs as well as experience of liaising with external support services and a thorough knowledge of mental health provision. He or she will

have an appropriate counselling qualification and will share our desire to improve the life chances for our students.

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS disclosure

and other employment checks.

OUR SCHOOL

DSTC is a small, non-selective secondary school for girls in Dartford. We are family-centred with high aspirations and pride ourselves on having small average class sizes and excellent pastoral care.

We are an Ofsted Good School (March 2017) where it was recognised that “all groups of pupils achieve well” and “the behaviour of pupils is good”. This has continued since that time and we remain determined to ensure that all students are challenged and reach their potential in all subjects.

DSTC is easily accessible by car, cycle or public transport. We are a 5-10 minute drive from both the A2 and M25 and only a 15 minute walk from Dartford Station where both trains and buses run frequently. We have free parking on site for all staff.

THE ROLE

We have an exciting opportunity for a qualified and experienced School Counsellor to join a strong team of Pastoral Leaders and Raising Standards Leaders to ensure that DSTC students are safe, protected and happy.

We are looking for someone who can provide a high-quality counselling service to our students to support them with their emotional wellbeing. As well as working with students on an individual and/or group basis, the School Counsellor will also provide support, guidance and advice to parents, carers and the school.

The successful candidate will have experience of working with young people with SEMH and SEND needs as well as experience of liaising with external support services and a thorough knowledge of mental health provision. He or she will have an appropriate counselling qualification and will share our desire to improve the life chances for our girls.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Actual salary calculated on 16 hours per week - over two or three days.

Term time only.

Initially on a one-year fixed term contract.

Salary - Kent Range 8: £25,692 FTE (Actual Salary £9,392)

Additional Benefits: Free on-site parking Free tea and coffee Kent Reward Scheme

HOW TO APPLY

An application form is available on our website www.dstc.kent.sch.uk, completed forms should be emailed to Susan Wells (susan.wells@dstc.kent.sch.uk) or posted to the school address. Applications by CV are not accepted. Closing date for applications: Tuesday 4th May 2021 at 9am.

DSTC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An Enhanced DBS check will be carried out for the successful candidate.

HOW TO CONTACT US

Dartford Science and Technology College Heath Lane, Dartford, Kent DA1 2LY Tel: 01322 224309 www.dstc.kent.sch.uk

If you would like any further information please contact Susan Wells on 01322 224309 or by email to Susan.Wells@dstc.kent.sch.uk

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post : School Counsellor

Responsible to: Vice Principal – Personal Development/Behaviour and Attitudes/DSL

Hours per week: 16 hours over two or three days ( flexible for the right candidate) 30 minute (unpaid) break per day

Weeks per year: Term time only

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE :

To provide a high-quality counselling service to students experiencing a wide range of emotional problems.

To provide support, guidance and advice to parents, carers and the school. To observe confidentiality (within safeguarding and age appropriate boundaries) and to

support the school’s endeavour to provide excellent teaching and learning for all students. To contribute to the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare and personal care of children

and young people. To provide assistance to the Pastoral Leads and Raising Standards Leaders as required.

KEY DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES and VALUES :

To be responsible for the confidential counselling services for students as needed. To be responsible for advice and support to staff in relation to their work with vulnerable

students, giving the correct advice such as an Early Help recommendation. To be responsible for maintaining appropriate and confidential records. To provide regular audit information such as numbers, age range and types of problems to

the SLT line manager. To have a thorough knowledge of the Mental Health provision locally and nationally and be

able to sign post appropriate outside agencies to those in need. To establish and maintain positive relationships with referral support services. To continually review and evaluate the service.

Pastoral Care To report to the nearest member of teaching staff, incidents that are seen or reported

regarding students’ immediate safety and welfare. To be mindful, at all times, of the school’s policies and procedures.

Health and Safety To be aware of the responsibility for personal health, safety and welfare and that of others

who may be affected by your actions or inactions. To co-operate with the employer on all issues to do with Health, Safety & Welfare. To take responsibility for personal professional development, keeping up-to-date with

research and developments which may lead to improvements in the counselling service provided.

To arrange and deliver relevant training for staff as and when needs are identified. To maintain a professional portfolio of evidence to support the Performance Management

process – evaluating and improving own practice.

Any other duties which may be reasonably required to ensure an effective counselling service in the College.

Such other duties as the Principal or Governors may from time to time require.

This job description is not a comprehensive definition of the post. It will be reviewed regularly and may be subject to modification or amendment at any time after consultation with the post holder.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

As a school we reserve the right to refer students for additional support and intervention as we see appropriate.

ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

Counselling qualification. GCSE or equivalent in English and

Mathematics. Experience of working with young people. Experience of liaising with external

agencies such as CAMHS and Social Services.

Accreditation as a counsellor, registered to one of the following:

HPC (Health Professionals Council) UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) BACP (British Association for

Counselling and Psychotherapy Experience of working with young people in

a school context. First Aid Training as appropriate.

Experience

Working with children who have SEMH or SEND needs.

Experience

Evident enjoyment in working with young people.

Flexibility – adaptability to changing circumstances and new ideas.

Knowledge and Skills

An awareness of the range of needs of young people from diverse ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds.

Effective use of ICT and other technology. Basic understanding of child development

and learning. Ability to self-evaluate learning needs. Work constructively as part of a team. Ability to relate well to children and adults. The ability to develop good relationships

with a variety of organisations and groups of people.

The ability to communicate effectively in person, on the telephone and in writing to a range of audiences.

The ability to identify when further intervention or signposting is required.

Knowledge and Skills

Understanding of relevant policies/code of practice and awareness of relevant legislation.

General understanding of national curriculum.

The ability to demonstrate good professional judgement.

Flexibility - adaptability to changing circumstances and new ideas.

Safeguarding

Suitable to work with children. All positions subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS disclosure.