We are a very small, registered charity (number 1164078) providing counselling support for children and young people who would not normally have access to the help they need by offering funded counselling to children and young people within 35 local, Surrey-based schools on a bi-termly basis. We usually provide a counsellor for a minimum of 3 hours per week per school.
We also offer some part-funded counselling on a self-referral basis for those who do not have access within their school environment or for those above school age. We currently support approximately 45 children, young people, and their caregivers on a weekly basis.
We are delighted to invite one or more fully qualified Counsellor/s to join our small passionate team working in Surrey on a ‘self-employed basis’, initially for the summer term of 2025.
Role Description
You will provide at least 3 counselling sessions to 3 separate children and/or young people per week at one school during the summer term of 2025. Should our funding continue, we may be able to continue into the next school year. The school/s will be either based in and around Tadworth, or in and around the Byfleet/Woking area.
You must read and adhere to all of our relevant policies, including safeguarding, confidentiality, and information sharing.
This is a general outline of our school counsellor role; please be aware that your duties and responsibilities may develop as your role grows and you may be required to undertake other relevant reasonable duties from time to time.
Job Overview
The role will provide a high-quality, safe and confidential counselling service to pupils comprising of 1:1 clinical work with pupils at your designated school. You will report to our clinical lead.
You will be paid £25 per hour on a self-employed basis, invoiced directly to The Matthew Hackney Foundation on a monthly/half-termly basis.
Duties & Responsibilities
1. Ensure High Quality Clinical Practice and Delivery
* Undertake clinical assessments based on child/young person’s needs
* Manage and account for overall clinical caseload
* Complete assessments and hold regular reviews of clinical work
* Identify appropriate clinical interventions for pupils based on assessed need
* Undertake one-to-one clinical work with pupils
* Engage in monthly supervision with a suitably qualified supervisor who has experience of working with children and young people
* Practice with an integrative model
* Demonstrate an understanding of working with children who require or would benefit from emotional or therapeutic support within the school environment
* Seek to improve the quality of service and provision wherever possible
1. Establish Positive, Active and Effective Relationships with Staff and Pupils
* Meet the expectations of the school, working closely with the designated representative within the school and our Lead Counsellor/clinical lead
* Demonstrate an understanding of child development and issues that may impact their wellbeing
* Devise and implement appropriate strategies to support children behaviourally, emotionally, and physically
* Demonstrate accuracy in all communications
* Have experience of providing short- and long-term therapy
* Identify and discuss potential referrals with the designated person within the school
* Establish and sustain positive working relationships with staff and children
* Embed the counselling service firmly within the ethos of the school
* Work autonomously and proactively within school
* Promote good mental health, share information and good practice with staff throughout the school
2. Accurately Report and Evaluate Data
* Maintain detailed, confidential, up-to-date records of all provision delivered
* Use data to inform and improve practice and impact
3. Demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding children
* Be proactive in reporting safeguarding issues and concerns to the DSL
* Demonstrate a clear understanding of child protection and safeguarding policy and procedures within school as well as statutory documentation such as KCSIE and in line with The Matthew Hackney Foundation’s safeguarding policy
* Keep up to date with safeguarding policy and developments
* Respect the reporting lines of confidentiality that occur in Safeguarding Training and Development
* Promote and safeguard the welfare of pupils for whom you are responsible and with whom you encounter
* Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, and conduct
* Maintain positive, courteous relations with pupils and colleagues
* Promote the good name and reputation of The Matthew Hackney Foundation and adhere to its policies and procedures
Key criteria required for the role
Qualifications:
* You will be a fully qualified Counsellor, Therapist, or Educational/Clinical Psychologist with a Post-graduate level qualification in Counselling or Psychotherapy (ideally this would specialise in working with children (and adolescents)); however, experience of working with children in acceptable.
* You will have BACP Accreditation, UKCP or BPC registration, or registration with an equivalent recognised awarding body or working towards these registrations
* Further therapeutic training or qualification in working with children and young people
* Experience of working therapeutically with children post-qualification is desirable; however, if you have experience of working with children in a different role, we are happy to support you in developing your skills.
* Demonstrate understanding of a range of therapeutic models
* An understanding of the developmental, emotional, social, and educational issues of children and young people
* A clear understanding of child protection policy and procedures and commitment to safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults
* An awareness of the range of needs of people from diverse ethnic, cultural, and social backgrounds
* Knowledge of local mental health and CAMHS Services
* Knowledge of the Children’s Act and legislation pertaining to children
* Experience of working in a School
You would have to be able to demonstrate:
* A passion for supporting the mental wellbeing of children & young people.
* A willingness to make a minimum commitment to practice in school one half day per week (term time only) for one term.
* Understanding and can demonstrate the values, vision, and mission of The Matthew Hackney Foundation.
* Emotionally robust and able to demonstrate self-awareness and self-reflection.
* Have undertaken personal therapy (one-to-one or group therapy) to enhance this.
* Be willing to develop an understanding of The Matthew Hackney Foundation’s equal opportunities policy, safeguarding policy, and confidentiality policy, and a personal commitment to equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice in service delivery.
* Outgoing, friendly, and proactive character.
* Ability to use your own initiative but ask for help when needed.
* Be creative and full of ideas.
* Be trustworthy, friendly, and reliable.
* Ability to multitask.
* Ability to work under pressure.
Further information
Please send your CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the criteria and why you would be the best fit for our organisation to Penny Hackney at info@thematthewhackneyfoundation.co.uk
Please note you will be required to provide or apply for an enhanced DBS check and proof of/carry out safeguarding training along with three professional references.
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