School Counsellor

Surbiton High School seeks a dynamic and outstanding School Counsellor.

Surbiton High School is a friendly and vibrant community where people matter, results count and where a passion for excellence drives everything we do. Our inspirational Educational Support Staff are the backbone of the School, and are dedicated to supporting our aim of creating an intellectually rigorous and challenging academic environment - a place where a passion and energy abound, a school with a real heart and soul, and where every pupil and staff member can flourish. 

 

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 Vice Principal and other members of the pastoral team) a continually evolving plan for ensuring the emotional well-being for Surbiton High School pupils.
• To line manage the Personal Mentors once established in the role
• To carry out any such duties as may be reasonably requested.

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.
• At least five years’ post qualification and accreditation. 
• Demonstrate a clear track record in working with children and adolescent clients, preferably in a school or institutional setting such as CAMHS.
• Some experience of running workshops or providing psychoeducational talks would be an advantage.
• A systemic qualification would also be an advantage, although not completely necessary, providing there is evidence of experience in working with families. 
• 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.
• 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.
• Motivation to take a role and make it your own by helping to shape and contribute to the overall wellbeing plan of the school.
• Excellent organisational skills; you will be managing your own diary and appointments, as well as media needs and all other administration tasks.
• Conscientiousness; when young people ask for help, they expect an adult to be there for them.
• The maintenance of appropriate and respectful boundaries and other ethical requirements such as confidentiality, discretion and integrity.
• The candidate may become a long-term mentor and role-model for some of our pupils, so high personal standards 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.

Surbiton High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. 

Please note that the School reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the recruitment process.

For any queries relating to the role or your application, please email recruitment@surbitonhigh.com 

To Apply

Please apply online by clicking on the following link: https://unitedlearning.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/1288482?cid=1567

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