JOB BRIEF:

This is a very varied role. We are looking for a professional school counsellor to ensure our children are safe and happy in school so they can focus on amazing learning. This will involve working with groups and individuals informally helping children manage issues and feelings including as time to talk, as well as providing formal counselling with parental consent and working closely with staff and families

SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Proven working experience in school counselling with children aged 3 up
• Integrity and professionalism
• Kind, considerate and welcoming
• Ability to respond effectively to the needs of a diverse community
• Working knowledge of various counselling models, practices and resources
• Engaging interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills
• Sound judgement and emotional intelligence
• Ability to work and support children, staff and families

PURPOSE OF ROLE

The school counsellor’s priority is to support the academic and social welfare of pupils by initiating and maintaining a positive relationship with pupils, staff and families in order to enhance the school’s academic mission of providing amazing learning. They are also responsible for engaging the community in building cooperative partnerships for the sake of a pupil’s success. They are expected to develop a healthy, safe and productive environment in which pupils can achieve their potential and are required to counsel and support pupils on personal development issues or when dealing with complex and sensitive issues.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Helping children manage their feelings and deal with a range of incidents
• Providing group and individual support on an ad hoc and planned time to talk basis
• Managing playground games, buddies and other systems within the school
• Monitoring and managing pupil attendance and punctuality
• Providing formal counselling with consent of the family
• Supporting staff in managing incidents and behaviour
• Supporting families – individuals, support groups and larger groups eg through workshops
• Working with staff to analyse in school assessments such as PASS
• Working with the inclusion team, medical and safeguarding staff to provide the very best pastoral care for children
• Take responsibility for personal professional development, keeping up-to-date with research and developments which may lead to improvements in the counselling service provided, arranging and delivering relevant training for staff as and when needs are identified.
• Meeting the requirements of the local regulatory body
• Contributing to the safe and smooth day to day running of the school

THE AQUILA SCHOOL VISION AND PURPOSE

Our purpose is safe, happy, learning.
Our vision is known and owned by all members of our community and really does underpin all aspects of our work
A happy community school with amazing learning at its heart where pupils are empowered to make choices, be kind, compassionate learners, engage in meaningful learning experiences, make exceptional progress and understand their role as global citizens.