School Counsellor

School Counsellor

Full time, term time only

Salary points 26 - 30 (£38,510 - £42,123) FTE 0.87, equating to a gross annual salary of £33,504 - £36,647

Reporting to Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) / Student Development Lead

Job Purpose

The School Counsellor will provide a confidential, professional counselling service to students, supporting their emotional wellbeing, mental health, personal development, and resilience. The postholder will work collaboratively with students, families, staff, and external agencies to ensure that young people receive appropriate support and are able to engage successfully with their education.

The School Counsellor will demonstrate a strong understanding of neurodiversity and provide neuro-affirming support to students with additional needs, including those with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Tourette Syndrome and other neurodevelopmental differences. The postholder will work collaboratively with SEND staff, families and external professionals to ensure emotional wellbeing support is accessible, inclusive and responsive to individual needs.

The School Counsellor will contribute to Dene Magna School's commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, student wellbeing, and the promotion of positive mental health across the school community.

Key Responsibilities

Counselling and Student Support

• Provide one-to-one counselling for students experiencing emotional, social, behavioural or mental health difficulties.
• Assess student needs and develop appropriate support plans.
• Maintain professional counselling records in accordance with school policies, GDPR requirements, and professional standards.
• Support students experiencing anxiety, bereavement, self-esteem issues, family difficulties, friendship concerns, stress, trauma, or other emotional challenges.
• Help students develop coping strategies, resilience, emotional regulation skills, and positive wellbeing practices.
• Deliver short-term, solution-focused interventions where appropriate.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

• Adhere to all safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Identify concerns relating to student welfare and make referrals in accordance with school safeguarding policies.
• Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and pastoral team to ensure students receive appropriate support.
• Maintain professional boundaries and communicate confidentiality limits clearly to students.

Neurodiversity and SEND Support

• Provide neuro-affirming counselling and therapeutic support for students with identified or emerging neurodivergent needs.
• Adapt counselling approaches, communication methods and interventions to meet the needs of autistic students and those with ADHD, dyslexia and other neurodevelopmental differences.
• Work closely with the SENDCo, Learning Support Team and pastoral staff to support students whose emotional wellbeing may be impacted by neurodivergence.
• Support students with emotional regulation, sensory needs, anxiety linked to neurodiversity, social communication difficulties, executive functioning challenges and school engagement.
• Contribute to support plans, risk assessments, EHCP reviews and pastoral support plans where appropriate.
• Liaise with families and external professionals to ensure a joined-up approach to student wellbeing.
• Promote neurodiversity-affirming practices throughout the school and advocate for reasonable adjustments that support student wellbeing and participation.

Collaboration and Multi-Agency Working

• Liaise effectively with pastoral staff, SEND staff, attendance teams, senior leaders, and external agencies.
• Attend relevant pastoral, safeguarding, and student support meetings.
• Signpost students and families to specialist mental health and support services where appropriate.
• Contribute to Early Help assessments and multi-agency meetings when required.

Mental Health Promotion

• Support the development of a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
• Deliver workshops, assemblies, or small group sessions on wellbeing and emotional health.
• Contribute to staff awareness and understanding of student mental health needs.
• Support initiatives that promote resilience, inclusion, positive relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

Record Keeping and Reporting

• Maintain accurate, secure, and confidential records.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of counselling interventions.
• Provide anonymised reports and impact information to senior leaders as required.
• Ensure compliance with professional, legal, and ethical requirements.

Professional Development

• Maintain professional registration and accreditation as appropriate.
• Undertake continuing professional development to maintain current knowledge and best practice.
• Participate fully in school training, including safeguarding and health and safety training.

General Responsibilities

All staff at Dene Magna School are expected to:

• Support the school's vision, values, and ethos.
• Promote safeguarding and the welfare of children and young people.
• Contribute positively to the wider life of the school.
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Follow all school policies and procedures.
• Act as a positive role model for students.