School Counsellor/Wellbeing Advisor

Westholme School, established in 1923, is a successful independent school located on the rural outskirts of Blackburn. The school is based across 3 sites, providing a first class education to around 800 pupils, aged 2 - 18 years.

The excellent pastoral care at our successful independent day school is based upon supporting individual children. We believe pupils who feel safe, secure and confident dealing with setbacks or problems in life will achieve fulfilment in their life at school and in their lives beyond school, whether academic, extra-curricular or personal.

Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity to develop an existing role where counselling is offered to pupils.  The School Counsellor is part of a wider pastoral team whose aim is to promote the physical health and emotional wellbeing of the pupils and staff. 

The School Counsellor works closely within the Pastoral team, along with form tutors and the school nurse.

Reports to: Deputy Head – Pastoral

Accountable to: Principal

Salary: Hourly rate from £17 to £20 (dependent upon skills and experience of applicant and will be discussed at interview).

Hours & Holidays: The school day is 8.45am - 3.45pm (with the expectation that the counsellor will be available until at least 4pm), 3 days a week during term-time, or equivalent. The position may require some flexibility and variation of hours could be discussed at interview.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To support the wider life of school
• To arrange and meet with individual pupils and staff (by appointment)
• To maintain records and confidential files and use the school information management system to log and share information when required
• To meet with pastoral staff regularly
• To liaise with outside agencies when required (eg GPs/CAMHS when appropriate and with the consent of the pupil) and to assist with referrals with pupil consent
• To work closely with teachers and to assist in the delivery of the tutor programme as required
• To provide staff INSET sessions as required
• To offer advice to parents
• To have input into the teaching of PSHE and into the school’s overall development in terms of pupil wellbeing
• To encourage the school community to mark key e.g. mental health awareness week by providing student activities and displays
• To work on embedding mindfulness within the school

Knowledge, Skills and Experience required for the post:

Qualifications and Experience

• A recognised qualification in counselling, BACP or UKCP registration/accreditation or similar, preferably with at least 2-3 years appropriate experience

• Preferable but not essential - experience of delivering training to children and adults  

• Experience of working with children and young people (all ages), preferably in a school environment

Skills

• An appreciation of the range of difficulties and issues children and young people can experience

• An ability to work with a high level of autonomy and collaboratively as part of a strong, cohesive team

• An ability to refer and signpost pupils and staff to relevant organisations and sources of support

Personal Qualities 

• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills

• Flexibility

• A high level of professionalism that respects the importance of confidentiality

• A willingness to engage in all aspects of school life

Philosophy and Ethos 

• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

• Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children

• Strong support for the strategic direction of the school

The Governors provide all lunches, tea, coffee etc and other amenities free of charge.  

How to apply:

Download and complete an application form. Upload and submit via the apply button. 

Applications using the school form should be sent to the Principal by Wednesday 26th June 2019.  Interviews will be held week commencing Monday 1st July.  Applicants who have heard nothing by Friday 5th July should assume they have been unsuccessful.  

Westholme School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and all staff must share this commitment – please refer to our Safer Recruitment and Safeguarding policies on our website.

Westholme School is committed to equality of opportunity in all areas of its work. All individuals will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation.