Academy Counsellor

We are seeking a candidate with experience in counselling to join a team of support staff at the academy as Academy Counsellor. 

This is a full time post, term time only (37.5 hours per week, working from 8.30am to 4.30pm).  The contract includes working additional evenings e.g. Parents Evening, Open Evening, etc.  The candidate for this role will be able to provide a counselling service within the Academy, responding to social, emotional or educational concerns.

At Harris Academy Battersea, you will join a dedicated team of teachers and staff supporting our vibrant students. If you are looking for an opportunity to grow, inspire and develop, this may be the role for you. 

About Us

Harris Academy Battersea will be in its 8th academic year in 2021-2022 and has established itself as one of the highest performing schools in London, judged to be Outstanding by Ofsted in 2018. In 2017, it was awarded the Evening Standard School of the Year as well as being named one of the Sunday Times Top 20 Schools in the country. We are immensely proud of our students’ achievements at Harris Academy Battersea, where their progress measures (1.08, 1.47, 1.22, 0.92, 1.39* and 1.36* P8) defy expectations and set out what it is possible to achieve with hard work from all stakeholders. This is achieved through high expectations for all stakeholders, a high-quality curriculum, brilliant teaching with each teacher wanting to get better every day and, most importantly, an embedded culture that drives every decision in the school. This strong culture wraps around the three key characteristics of the most successful schools: high aspiration, high motivation and strong social norms. 

Academy Culture

The development of our students academically, personally and professionally is at the heart of everything we do at Harris Academy Battersea. We have created a new vision for the school to reflect this: ‘We develop aspirational young people to thrive in a changing world’. 

Our core values of Knowledge, Integrity and Resilience underpin this vision and will form an integral part of student’s daily school life. Students should leave us not only having fulfilled their personal best in terms of academic results, but also equipped with these core values to enable them to thrive in all stages of their lives. Equally, we wish for our school and young people to serve the community and a school that the community is proud to have on its doorstep. 

Main Areas of Responsibility

• To provide a high-quality professional counselling service within the Academy, responding to social, emotional or educational concerns
• To liaise with parents to ensure the young person Is supported well
• To provide a drop-in service for all students
• To coordinate with external agencies such as CAHMS, GPs and psychiatrists as needed
• To ensure all safeguarding concerns are shared with the DSL
• To lead and support parents’ information evenings about wellbeing and resilience
• To attend pastoral briefings as requirement
• To provide a termly impact report on the counselling service in the Academy
• To maintain confidential notes on all counselling sessions
• To provide CPD to help colleagues understand the emotional needs of students
• To assess the appropriateness of counselling as part of the referral process
• To promote a caring and supportive environment where concerns can be explored, thereby promoting mental and emotional health
• To uphold good practice as described by the BACP ethical guidelines
• To attend and participate in Complex Needs Panel meetings as appropriate
• To liaise with relevant staff within the Academy making them aware of problems experienced by students and to make recommendations as to how these may be managed/resolved, as appropriate.
• To liaise with other professionals, including attending meetings within the Academy and with outside agencies, as appropriate
• To be alert to trends and patterns of problems and be willing to identify causes and recommend corrective action
• To play an active role in safeguarding pupils and adhere with guidance from academy policies.
• To contribute to the evaluation of the counselling service within the Academy compiling an annual report for the Governing body.
• To contribute in any other reasonable fashion to promote the safety and wellbeing of the pupils.
• To maintain a tidy, organised and professional working environment at all times;
• To fulfill professional supervision requirements.
• To maintain adequate records of clinical work and to keep these secure.
• To maintain training and continue professional development.
• Referring cases where appropriate to the named person with responsibility for child protection.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Training

• Recognised professional counselling qualification to diploma level or equivalent
• Ability to make use of counselling supervision (evidenced by a counselling supervisor’s statement)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality within Academy safeguarding procedures
• Ability to work within a time limit
• Effective communication skills both orally and in writing
• Ability to work effectively with a range of colleagues both within the Academy and from external agencies

Experience

• Counselling experience in a secondary school setting
• Evidence of pastoral experience
• Experience of working with key stakeholders such as a range of vulnerable students, outside agencies, SENCO, AWO, senior leaders, teaching staff, support staff, a range of parents, governors etc

Personal Skills & Qualities

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• To demonstrate the key personal qualities of empathy, congruence, positive regard and respect
• An ability to question, reflect, challenge attitudes and beliefs
• The ability to motivate others, problem solve and be organised
• A willingness to learn and develop new skills
• A desire to make a difference to the lives of young people
• To work proactively within the ethos of the Academy
• An excellent attendance record
• Effective use of ICT
• A willing team player who is able to work under pressure
• Good communication skills

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.