School Counsellor

at  The Aquila School

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

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

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 schoo

You consistently demonstrate and role-model the ISP Leadership Competencies in all that you do.

• Collaboration. Takes an active part in leading their school or region; is cooperative and a genuine team player, developing positive, supportive relationships with colleagues to solve problems and maximise opportunities.
• Learning & Getting Better. Continually demonstrates personal commitment and passion for learning and getting better using evidence and feedback; supporting others in their continual learning, development and growth.
• Innovation Leadership. Is good at creating an environment where ideas for learning initiatives and services are generated and is able to motivate and inspire others through the process of creation through to completion.
• Outcome driven. Can be counted on to find solutions. Is consistently looking to exceed goals and is focused on KPIs.
• Resilience. Can deal with setbacks and challenges calmly and effectively.
• Community Focus. Is committed to meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of our students and their families.
• Integrity & Ethical Management. Has the ability to work ethically and with integrity; helps others feel valued; upholds and models the ISP Vision, Purpose and Principles.
• Leading & Inspiring Others. Supports, encourages and inspires students, colleagues and teams so that they give their best.
• Understanding People. Is a very good judge of talent, can objectively articulate the strengths and motivations of people inside or outside the organisation.
• Influencing & Communication. Consistently informs, influences and inspires students, parents and colleagues through timely and effective communication.
• Agile. Responds and adapts to changing circumstances; manages and solves problems by providing solutions in a climate of ambiguity.
• Strategic, Commercial & Financial Awareness. Has the ability to apply understanding of the business and industry to improve effectiveness and profitability.
• Planning & Decision Making. Makes decisions on the best course of action and then plans, organises, prioritises and balances resources to achieve the desired outcome.
• Diversity & Equity. Has the sensitivity, awareness and skill to understand the values, behaviours, attitudes and practices across cultures that supports all children and adults to learn and work effectively