Academy Counsellor

We are looking for a qualified counsellor to provide a counselling service within Harris Academy South Norwood , responding to the social, emotional or educational concerns of our students.

You will be based across the 2 campuses: three days at the Clocktower Campus in South Norwood, and two days at the Beulah Hill Campus in Upper Norwood. 

About Us

If you are looking for a school with clear and effective behaviour policies and systems, a visible and supportive leadership team, useful but not onerous CPD, and frequent opportunities for promotion, then we could be the school for you. Our students behave well, and so they achieve well. This is a product of our excellent behaviour systems. We have 6 non teaching Heads of Year who support behaviour and welfare, and run a fully centralised detention system. Exemplary behaviour can only be achieved through a highly visible Senior Leadership team, and they are constantly touring the Academy. CPD is bespoke, first and foremost in the subject and grounded in tried and tested methods of effective teaching such as modelling, questioning, literacy, practice and consolidation.  

Harris Academy South Norwood is an extremely popular 11-19 academy that has been judged Outstanding by OFSTED since 2010. We deliver a broad and challenging curriculum to all our students in a calm and well-ordered environment. We have high expectations of all members of the school community. This is reflected in our consistently high student performance at GCSE, progression to post 16 study at our sixth form and then on to some of the best universities in the country. Last year 188 of our year 11 students chose to remain with us for the sixth form.

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 at HASN
• 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, organized and professional working environment at all times
• To engage actively in the performance appraisal review process.
• To address the appraisal targets set by the line manager each Autumn Term.
• To play a full part in the life of the Academy community, to support its distinctive aim and ethos and to encourage staff and students to follow this example.
• To comply with the Academy’s Health and Safety policy and undertake risk assessments as appropriate.

Qualifications & Experience

• 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
• 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

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level to senior leadership.

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.

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.