School Counsellor, St Dominic’s School

Salary:    Grade R5, scp 27 – scp 34 FTE: £29,546 - £32,993  Actual: £5,697.82- £6,362.56, depending on experience.

Location: St Dominic’s School, Hambledon, Nr Godalming, Surrey GU8 4DX

Working Pattern: 1 day / 8 hours per week, Term Time only

St Dominic’s School is a special school in Godalming, Surrey, and stands in 56 acres of wooded grounds with ample space for outdoor learning activities. The school provides for 150 pupils and students between the ages of 7 – 19, who have a range of academic abilities and complex needs and with a primary diagnosis of speech language and communication needs and/or autistic spectrum conditions.

The school is the national lead in the ‘blended’ approach to teaching and learning and holds the Advanced Autism Accreditation and the prestigious Arts Council ‘Artsmark’ Silver Award.

St Dominic’s School is a rewarding and inspirational place to work where pupils and students enjoy the holistic programmes and educational opportunities offered to them by nurturing staff whose goal is to encourage growth, development and independence in preparation for further education and employment. To find out more about us visit www.stdominicsschool.org.uk

We are looking to appoint a School Counsellor who will be part of a transdisciplinary team that supports the physical, mental health and emotional wellbeing of pupils and students throughout the curriculum.

You will provide 1:1 counselling sessions in a school setting for our pupils and students. Your responsibilities will include the involvement of the referral and assessment process, timetabling of sessions, liaising with families, school staff, other professionals and agencies, attending multi agency meetings and adhering to school policies and procedures including child safeguarding procedures. You will be expected to work in line with the BACP Ethical Framework, attend monthly supervision sessions and keep appropriate clinical records.

Your positive attitude and ability to engage and encourage children and young people will be essential as will your ability to work flexibly to meet their individual needs. You will also be able to build a positive and professional rapport with the children and young people, as well as their families, with the ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.

A relevant qualification in Counselling/Psychotherapy (degree/diploma) or equivalent, and have relevant experience of supporting children and young people is essential.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details on the role and the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for.

Benefits include: Free car parking, lunch provided on site, and Employee Assistance Programme.

St Dominic’s School is part of Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust, an established family of specialist academies and college centres that provide for over 1500 pupils and students with a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit https://www.ohcat.org/work-for-us/

For an informal discussion about the role, candidates are invited to contact Dr Kirsty Glaysher via email at kglaysher@stdominicsschool.org.uk

To apply for the role please use the quick apply option to submit an application. If you have any queries, please contact office@stdominicsschool.org.uk.

Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.

Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.

Closing Date: 5th February 2023 at 11:59pm

Interviews will take place: 16-17th February 2023

We encourage you to apply before the closing date as we reserve the right to arrange interviews and close this advert before the closing date if we receive applications from exceptional candidates.

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.