Job Description

Key Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of this post may vary from time to time according to the changing demands of the school and whilst it is recognised that there are many facets to the job, the following tasks are a minimum expectation:

● To provide counselling to suit the social and emotional needs of children and provide the relevant service including, individual counselling, group counselling and family meetings. 

● To liaise with members of the wider school staff in order to work in the best interest of children. 

● To hold regular meetings with parents of children who are using the service; as appropriate. 

● To provide consultation where a child protection issue or other such issues arise. 

● To provide support and guidance to teaching staff enabling them to better identify and support children with emotional and wellbeing difficulties. 

● To maintain appropriate records and to ensure confidentiality is maintained in all aspects of work. 

● To establish, maintain and monitor appropriate administrative systems with regards to student referral and to provide termly quantitative data reports for review, evaluation and planning. 

● To contribute to the promotion of health and wellbeing initiatives in school.

● Liaising with the Curriculum Lead and PSHE lead on a regular basis regarding PSHE Education provision in relation to counselling and mental health.

● Supporting new families in the transition into a new school and country or city.

Financial management:

Working with their line manager’s support, the Counsellor will: 

● Budget for and distribute resources related to counselling and mental health effectively. 

● Work as a team to coordinate overseas and local orders to ensure adequate resourcing for   counselling and mental health.

● Contribute to the short, medium and long-term planning processes having regard to financial  implications.

● Ensure that counselling provides good value for money through cost-effective and efficient  delivery.

Education and Experience

• A diploma in Counselling / Certificate in Counselling Children and Adolescents (or equivalent recognised qualification in Clinical or Counselling Psychology)

• Possess a post graduate diploma or Masters qualification in Counselling or Psychotherapy with a specialist qualification in child and adolescent work. 

• Teaching qualification (desirable).

• BACP Accreditation, UKCP or BPC registration or other professional registering body.

• Experience of specialist psychotherapeutic assessment and treatment of students with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature.

• Experience in working with young children, ages 3-18, and their families.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of current Child Protection and Safeguarding practice.

• Experience of working in a school context with knowledge of education systems.

• Awareness of global diversity and third culture issues.

Skills and Abilities

• Possess highly developed verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate complex, technical and sensitive information to students, families and colleagues.

• Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner with an appropriate level of clinical and managerial supervision.

• Ability to stay abreast of current counselling developments, evaluate such in terms of suitability and utility, and disseminate such information to teachers as appropriate.

Expectations 

As a professional Counsellor, it will be expected that the counsellor will support our community effectively by:

• Inspiring trust and confidence.

• Ensures that Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures are followed effectively. 

• Develop the safeguarding action plan alongside the safeguarding team in relation to counselling and mental health and report progress made against it. 

• Working with colleagues to lead developments in the school’s counselling service.

• Gathering information from all sources to best help students.

• Participate in regular external clinical supervision that is financially supported by the school.

• Reporting to school bodies on recent developments in the field.

• Engage in your own professional development and support staff in their professional development. 

• Promote achievement and share information with parents proactively through communications and parent presentations, workshops or focus groups.

Confidentiality 

● The School Counsellor should follow the guidelines and codes of practice agreed between the counselling team and senior leadership to ensure the highest levels of confidentiality in all matters. 

● The Counsellor should ensure all staff and students using the services are aware of the conditions of confidentiality.

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding

and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.