Wellbeing Coach & Counsellor

We are seeking to appoint an exceptional candidate to work in-house at our School as part of our strong pastoral team and ideally able to start as soon as possible. The successful candidate will be primarily responsible for providing day-to-day wellbeing support to boys of all ages across the school and individual counselling services where needed. The successful candidate will be expected to be involved in the delivery of classroom sessions to pupils, training for staff and to facilitate a programme for parents utilising their own professional expertise as well as engaging the services of outside contractors. The role will involve working closely with teachers, teaching assistants and wider school staff team.

The Beacon is a large prep school for boys aged between 3 and 13, with superb facilities and resources that support a forward-looking educational environment.  The Beacon prides itself on pastoral care and the breadth of support and initiatives in place to support the boys. To give you a flavour of life at our school please take a look around our website www.beaconschool.co.uk. You will find our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy on the ‘Work For Us’ page and other useful policies on the website too.  

It is important to everyone at The Beacon that we encourage our boys to talk about their feelings and emotions.  This role plays a key part in this aspect of wellbeing offering non-judgmental and caring support. If you have proven experience of supporting children of primary to early secondary school age and would like to work at The Beacon, we would very much like to hear from you.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Safeguarding checks will be undertaken in accordance with School policy
• The safeguarding responsibilities of the post can be found in the job description and person specification in this recruitment pack
• The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Job Title: Wellbeing Coach & Counsellor

Hours: Negotiable - from 15 - 30 hours per week (flexible pattern to be agreed with school); term-time only

Pension: Support Staff Pension Scheme

Holiday: 6 weeks paid holiday

Reporting to: Senior Master/School’s Pastoral Lead

Your professional duties

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The following duties shall be deemed to be included in the professional duties which you may be required to perform:

Wellbeing & Counselling

• To supervise and provide the School’s counselling service accessible to pupils (and where connected, parents/carers of such pupils);
• To provide counselling to a staff member in need (where a referral for such has been pre-authorised by the Head in accordance with School Policy);
• To work in accordance with professionally recognised coaching guidelines and be supervised accordingly;
• To work closely with the School’s Mental Health Lead to identify and support pupils and staff where required (As applies to all staff, the postholder may voluntarily apply to act as the School’s Mental Health Lead but this is not a requirement of the role currently);
• To provide information/training, present at events and deliver workshops on health, well-being and mental health to pupils, staff and parents of pupils;
• To work in accordance with the School’s Counselling Policy; maintaining records and providing reports in accordance with such policy and Data Protection/GDPR requirements;
• To consult with key pastoral staff providing advice and support; working closely with the pastoral team (‘P-Team’) and Designated Safeguarding Lead as an active and trusted member of the School’s Safeguarding Team;
• To work with the Learning Support Team (SENCOs) to ensure that staff can better understand pupils with difficulties;
• To assist, as required, in the review of school policies related to pupil welfare;
• To network and consult with external agencies such as social services, independent and voluntary sector, to enable intervention at multiple levels.

Other activities

• Communicating and co-operating with persons or bodies outside the School as necessary to the role;
• Representing the School by attending or presenting at external events as required;
• Contributing ideas and playing an active role in the School’s wellbeing initiatives;
• Designing and take part in assemblies and other School activities to enable a strong focus on well-being;
• To prepare and present reports to School Management and Governors as required.

Training and development

• Participating in arrangements for professional development, including INSETS;
• Undertaking such training as may be reasonably required by the School in relation to your role and to enable you to adapt to the changing requirements of the School and your role or as may be necessary.

Child protection, discipline, health and safety

• Maintaining good order and discipline among the pupils and safeguarding their health and safety.
• Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for who you are responsible and with whom you come into contact; following the School’s safeguarding policy at all times and using CPOMS as the internal system for monitoring safeguarding, wellbeing and pastoral issues.

Note:

•  The role will involve daily contact with children and a high level of responsibility for children.
• The role constitutes regulated activity with children. 
• In the role, you may also be required to undertake such other duties as the Head reasonably requires from time to time.

 The Process

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

All applicants must be prepared to undergo appropriate child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Beacon is an equal opportunities employer. References will be required and any relevant issues arising from such will be taken up at interview or a suitable point during the process.

Candidates who have a disability or any other special requirements should let the school know if there are any reasonable adjustments they would like the school to make as part of this recruitment process.

There is always a requirement to complete the school’s Application Form. Please download from the School’s website send a copy of your completed Application Form and covering letter by e-mail to: recruitment@beaconschool.co.uk.

(PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO THE TIGHT DEADLINE WE WOULD BE PREPARED TO REVIEW A CV INITIALLY)

The closing date for receipt of CV’s/applications is Sunday 04 December 2022, and we are aiming for interviews to be held during the following 2 weeks.