ARTS EDUCATIONAL SCHOOLS LONDON

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLESchool Counsellor

SALARY£9500

NATURE OF POSTPart Time, 1 day a week (8hrs per week), term time only (33 weeks)

IMMEDIATELY RESPONSIBLE TODeputy Headteacher

INTRODUCTION TO THE SCHOOL

We are committed to fully developing the academic, vocational and personal potential of our pupils and we strive to ensure that our curriculum is modelled on current best practice. We believe that the balance of academic study, creative arts training and performance opportunities helps to develop self-discipline together with a strong sense of responsibility. Our pupils and staff relish challenges and work tirelessly to achieve the very highest standards. Small class sizes and a staff of well-qualified, specialist teachers underpin the excellent approach to the process of learning at all stages.

The school has a long history of success – with its pupils going on to LAMDA, ArtsEd, Rambert, RADA, The Royal Academy of Music, The Placeand other prestigious schools. Students also leave to follow careers in theatre, media, and the visual arts either at university or at specialist institutions. The Arts Educational Schools London is not a 'stage school,' for it has always prided itself on producing a first class education in which the performing arts play a central role. Our emphasis is on teaching the whole person, not merely the fostering of professional talent.

There are currently 114 pupils in the Sixth Form, 116 pupils in the Day school and 30 permanent staff.

JOB PURPOSE

The School Counsellor will provide counselling services to pupils and staff at ArtsEd Day School and Sixth Form

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • To offer pupils and staff individual counselling, emotional support and guidance.
  • To work with a diverse range of issues including bereavement and loss, eating disorders, self-harm, transition, depression, anger-management, erratic behaviours, abuse of any kind, anxiety and fears.
  • Maintain and develop relationships with relevant staff at the school, including Heads of Key Stage, Form Tutors and teaching staff concerned with the pastoral care and well-being of students, offering advice and consultation
  • To keep accurate and up to date records in a secure place and to contribute to reports and meetings as required by the service.
  • Be familiar with the school’s safeguarding policy and procedures.
  • Refer safeguarding concerns to support the DSL within the school.
  • Provide information on the counselling in schools service and the role of the counsellor to pupils, trustees, staffand parent/carers.
  • To report back on a regular basis on numbers using the service and give a general overview of the types of problems which are arising.

CLINICAL SUPERVISION

  • The school requires that the counsellor receives regular clinical supervision of one and a half hours supervision a month. The cost of this would be reimbursed by the school.

EDUCATION

  • Post-graduate Diploma/degree or Masters level in Counselling or Psychotherapy
  • UKCP and/or BACP registration essential
  • Additional training pertinent to working with children/adolescents.

SKILLS REQUIRED

  • Good verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently, manage own caseload and use initiative.
  • Flexibility to work with change.
  • Patience, tolerance and sensitivity.
  • Ability to work with students and staff using the most suitable counselling models to achieve a successful and appropriate outcome. This might include short term highly focused work as well as some longer term clients.
  • Ability to inspire and develop young students, both academically and pastorally.

KNOWLEDGE

  • An understanding of the developmental, emotional, social and educational issues of children and adolescents.
  • Knowledge of local mental health and CAMHS Service.
  • Knowledge of current legislation pertaining to children.

EXPERIENCE

  • Minimum of 3 year’s post qualification experience
  • Minimum of 3 year’s experience of working with children and adolescents
  • Experience of counselling adults
  • Experience of working with Children’s Services as part of a multi-disciplinary team

COMMUNICATION AND MEETINGS

To meet regularly with the Deputy Headteacher and provide updates regarding the students accessing counselling.

The school requires that the counsellor receives clinical supervision of one and a half hours supervision a month.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • The post holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the Arts Educational Schools London Equal Opportunities policies.
  • The post holder must act professionally ay all times and adhere to the staff Code of Conduct.
  • The post holder must accept responsibility for ensuring that the policies and procedures relating to Health and Safety in the workplace are adhered to at all times.
  • The post holder must respect the confidentiality of data stored electronically and by other means in line with the Data Protection Act.
  • The post holder must carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the non-smoking environment of the school.
  • The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. All members of staff are required to be professional, co-operative and flexible in line with the needs of the post and the school. Job descriptions are regularly reviewed to ensure they are an accurate representation of the post.

SALARY AND CONDITIONS

The salient features of conditions for this post are as follows:

  • All offers of appointment are subject to ArtsEd receiving satisfactory references, DBS and medical clearance.
  • All posts are subject to reasonable adjustment under the Disability Discrimination Act (1995)
  • Decisions on salary will be made based on relevant teaching experience as well as suitability for the post.
  • All appointments are subject to a probationary period.

Cone Ripman House, 14 Bath Road, Chiswick, London W4 1LY

Tel: 020 8987 6600 Fax: 020 8987 6601

Our ethos is one of shared responsibility to which all staff make a significant contribution. As many departments consist of just one member it is vital that teachers contribute throughout the year to the school’s strategic planning. It is then expected that they will do all they can to achieve the institutional goals, which largely focus on the realisation of teaching and learning excellence.

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