Job Description

Post: Children & Young People’sCounsellors – Primary School

Grade: £25,000 per annum pro rata, term time

Hours: Variable

Reporting to:Director of Education Services

Purpose of the job:

This role will involve the delivery of counselling in Primary schools to pupils from P1 – P7, who require support to cope with a broad range of difficult and complex experiences. An understanding of the connection between emotional/mental health and wellbeing and the impact this has on attainment in education is fundamental. This role requires a clear focus on delivery of a professional, ethical and quality driven service.

Duties and Key Responsibilities

Counselling

  • Carry out assessment interviews with new referrals
  • Provide individual counselling for children and young people using a short term model
  • Work within the organisation’s Child Protection Framework
  • Develop and maintain electronic client files
  • Attend regular individual supervision, in accordance with COSCA/BACP
  • Escalate any determined risk to Supervisor/Clinical Practice as appropriate
  • Use a range of clinical wellbeing, evaluation and measurement tools at pre-determined intervals with Pupils, Parents and Teachers.

Networking

  • Keep informed of the patterns of need and issues which affect young people
  • Build positive relationships with key personnel in referral organisations
  • Attend relevant meetings and networking events
  • Promote The Spark CYP services at local and national level in a professional manner

Other

  • Meet regularly with Line Manager
  • Attend regular CPD opportunities to meet minimum standards
  • Provide weekly updates on service provided
  • Adhere to organisational policies and procedures
  • Attend and contribute to team meetings, and help build and maintain healthy working relationships within the team

Maintain a flexibility of job function in response to the evolving demands of the organisation and undertake other duties as may be required. Appointments will only be made once satisfactory PVG and references are obtained.

Person Specification

AREA / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
Education/Training / Diploma in counselling children and young people – age 5 - 12
BACP/COSCA registered member (or member of appropriate professional body) / Evidence of cpd
Experience / Minimum 2 years’ experience of counselling children & young people in a school / Experience of working in a community setting with
disadvantaged communities
Knowledge / Knowledge of Child Protection
Knowledge of The Scottish Attainment Challenge; National Improvement Framework; GIRFEC policy areas
Understanding of equalities issues
Skills & Abilities / Excellent presentation and facilitation skills
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
Competent IT skills
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships both internally and externally
Creative and dynamic problem solver/effective Influencer
Personal Attributes & Other Requirements / Demonstrates exemplary confidentiality principles with a sound sense of personal integrity and ethics
Proactive, motivated and open to change
Reflective professional with a commitment to personal learning, knowledge and growth
PVG scheme member
Ability to travel across west central belt / Clean driving license and access to own vehicle