Applications are invited from well-qualified candidates who have experience of working with young people.  This post is for 22 hours over a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during term time.

Further details, together with an application form, may be obtained from the School, alternatively you can download an application form from the website here

Closing date: Thursday, 4 June 2020
Telephone:  01380 814500       
Fax:  01380 814501
e-mail:  m.williams@dauntseys.org
www.dauntseys.org

The role of the School Counsellors

Counselling at the School provides an effective and accessible service for pupils experiencing emotional distress and/or behavioural problems, as a result of social and peer pressure, family tensions, bereavement and difficulties with normal developmental issues. 

Pupils are encouraged to accept counselling as a normal approach to individual concerns and, alongside staff pastoral support and the peer support service, counselling is an integral part of the Dauntsey’s support network.  As confidentiality is crucial, care is taken that children are not offered levels of confidentiality that cannot be kept.  In addition, confidentiality for school counselling has to be placed within the context of the school environment with a respect for inter-professional boundaries.  Young children who are considered ‘Gillick competent’ are able to have access to counselling without their parents’ permission or knowledge.

The person appointed would join one other part-time counsellor, working with day pupils and boarders throughout the school. 

Job Description

Requirements for the post

The successful candidate will:

·       have undergone sound training to at least Diploma level and be willing to undergo further professional development.

·       have experience of working with children/young people and, preferably, relevant training qualification.

·       have appropriate professional indemnity insurance and must be a member of a professional body.

·       display good therapeutic skills with a manner that encourages safe and trusting relationships with children and staff.

·       be required to provide references to show that they work within a clear code of ethics and practice and are suitable for the post; appropriate police checks must be passed.

·       be required to work for 22 hours over Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during term-time; a degree of flexibility in terms of hours and days might be necessary since the role will involve dealing with both day and boarding pupils.

Main duties and responsibilities

Whilst no list of responsibilities can fully encompass all that is asked of a School Counsellor, the main duties and responsibilities include:

·       To offer pupils and staff, individual or group counselling.

·       Where appropriate, to liaise with other adults involved with a particular child or group of children.  These may include pastoral management staff, house staff, tutors, parents and class teachers.

·       To work with those from outside agencies who may be involved with a child.

·       To report to the Senior Management Team and Governors on a regular basis regarding the numbers who use the service and give a general overview of the reasons for referral (this would not involve naming individuals).

·       To keep suitable case notes in a secure place in line with data protection requirements and School policy.

·       To provide consultation for staff who have concerns about a child in their care.

·       When Child Protection issues arise these must be referred to the DSL within the school (currently, the Deputy Head, Pastoral).

·       Undertake regular supervision with an experienced supervisor (any supervision fees will be met by the School).

·       Liaise on a regular basis with the other school counsellor.

This job description is intended as a guide and is not an exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities of this role.  Such duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or the level of responsibility entailed

Further Details

A completed Application Form should be sent by e-mail to Megan Williams, HR Manager at:

m.williams@dauntseys.wilts.co.uk
Website: www.dauntseys.org

The following will be pleased to answer any questions:

Carole Coupe, School Counsellor
e-mail: c.coupe@dauntseys.org
or:
Ann Jackson, Deputy Head, Pastoral
e-mail: a.jackson@dauntseys.org

Dauntsey’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and as such successful applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service