Trust Counsellor & Wellbeing Lead

About Us

The Laurus Trust is a highly successful and growing multi-academy trust in the North West of England, with Cheadle Hulme High School (CHHS), the founder school, at its centre. Our vision is for everyone regardless of background or circumstance to be inspired, to thrive in all environments, to recognise what it takes to succeed, to set aspirational goals and to work hard to achieve them.

All our Laurus Schools are hugely oversubscribed and have a reputation, both locally and further afield, for outstanding teaching and learning through the relentless pursuit of excellence and the determination to ensure that every child succeeds. In the recent Staff Engagement Survey, 97% of our employees stated that they would recommend working for Laurus Trust to their friends.

Due to continued growth and success, The Laurus Trust is looking to appoint a pro-active and dedicated Trust Counsellor & Wellbeing Lead to support across both Didsbury High School and Laurus Ryecroft. This is a fantastic opportunity to join the Laurus Trust family, and to play a vital role in maintaining the high standards of the Trust. Support staff work tirelessly to ensure all services run smoothly and efficiently, enabling our teaching staff to focus on delivering an outstanding education for our students.

Main Responsibilities 

• To provide a confidential counselling service for individual students across the Trust. 
• Deliver training to staff on aspects of mental health and wellbeing.
• Work closely with the Pastoral Teams at each school to create a positive culture regarding mental health issues and raising awareness.
• Plan, develop and deliver intervention work such as working with small groups of students on aspects of wellbeing including mindfulness and improving self-esteem.
• Provide regular reports for a wider audience including governors and trustees on aspects of counselling and mental health.
• Effectively assess students and then effectively manage the case load appropriately.
• Accurately maintain and securely store all records.
• Attend meetings with parents, peers, management and others as appropriate.

Key Skills & Experience 

• Must possess a Level 4 Counselling Diploma, with a minimum of 450 hours of demonstratable experience counselling young people
• Evidence of work with children/young people and involvement with parents is essential
• Must possess a sound understanding of the Team around the Child/Child Protection Process
• Relevant experience of working with supporting agencies such as HYM’s, EWS, Children’s Services etc.
• Experience of working within a school environment would be advantageous

Employee Benefits

We offer a wide range of employee benefits to all of our staff in return for their commitment to our schools, and to help contribute towards improving their well-being. These include:

• A Health and Wellbeing strategy including targeted Health Promotion Initiatives, Wellbeing App and a commitment to have a trained Mental Health First Aider in every school
• A proactive approach to flexible working – we are a family friendly organisation
• Subsidised nursey in Cheadle Hulme
• Children of Staff have priority in the admissions oversubscription process (subject to availability)
• Pension scheme with excellent employer contributions
• Enhanced Family Leave
• Staff development programme and investment in professional qualifications
• Subsidised Gym Membership
• Free Flu jabs

Core Behaviours

At the Laurus Trust, it is not just about what we do but also about how we do it. Our core behaviours detailed below provide guidance on the expectations we have of our staff. It is essential that any employee joining the Trust is able to demonstrate some or all of these behaviours on a regular/daily basis:

• Adaptable - Open to change, to be flexible
• Courageous - Willing to speak up, offer ideas, challenge the norm
• Hard Working - Strong work ethic, prepared to go the extra mile
• Inclusive - Treat others fairly and equally
• Engaged - Involved/absorbed in your work, participate at all times
• Value - Add value to your role, your team and the Trust
• Enquiring - Have an enquiring mind, curious, improve and find solutions
• Motivated - Pro-active, wanting to achieve goals, willingness to try, can do attitude
• Encouraging - Giving/offering support and confidence to others, working together
• Navigator - Providing guidance, leading when necessary
• Tenacious - Perseverance, never giving up, whatever it takes

Applying to the Laurus Trust

If you want to work in a highly ambitious and successful school, and have the passion and commitment to join us at an exciting time of continuous progression and growth, then we would like to hear from you. 

For more information about The Laurus Trust, or for further information relating to the role and the School you’re applying to, please download the Candidate Information Pack or visit https://www.laurustrust.co.uk/

Please note: an application form must be completed as CV’s will not be accepted. 

Disability Confident Committed

The Laurus Trust is committed to Equal Opportunities for all candidates. As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we strongly encourage applications from all persons with a known disability, and we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview and given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talents and abilities. 

If you would prefer to request a manual application pack, or should you require any additional support in completing your application, please feel free to contact us on 0161 485 7201 or via e-mail at; recruitment@laurustrust.co.uk  

Closing Date: Friday 12th February 2021 at 9.00am

Interview Date: w/c 22nd February 2021

The Laurus Trust and its affiliated schools are committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks.

We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across the school. This is in line with statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education 2019 and The Education Act 2002, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.