School Counsellor

We are seeking someone who can provide a dedicated space for reflection, clarity and psychological safety.

You are not just providing an ad-hoc drop-in service; you are the architect of a structured, evidence-informed therapeutic provision within Oxford’s newest secondary school. Working within our dedicated inclusion team, you will hold a key professional space, ensuring that students facing complex emotional, social, or developmental challenges receive high-quality, consistent clinical support. Your expertise allows our academic environment to remain calm, purposeful, and genuinely inclusive.

• Professional Credentials: A recognised Post-Graduate Diploma or Masters in Counselling/Psychotherapy, with current BACP Accreditation, UKCP registration, or BCP professional membership.

• Clinical Experience: A minimum of 2 years of post-qualification experience, including at least 1 year working directly with children and young people.

• Multi-Disciplinary Expertise: The ability to work collaboratively alongside our internal pastoral leaders and external agencies, including local mental health teams and CAMHS.

• Safeguarding Rigour: Deep working knowledge of the Children’s Act and current statutory legislation pertaining to vulnerable young people.

• Personal Attributes: Exceptional interpersonal skills, a calm demeanor, strong organisational capacity, and a healthy sense of perspective.

The Swan School is a unique place to practice. Opened in 2019, we are a growing school of approximately 1,200 students (including our Sixth Form) housed in state-of-the-art facilities in Marston. We treat wellbeing as a professional right, not a superficial perk. By joining us, you will experience:

• True Professional Agency: We trust you as the clinical expert in your domain, giving you the autonomy to manage caseloads effectively.

• A Workload-Sensitive Culture: We protect our staff’s time rigorously. This includes structural choices like our efficient feedback policies and an embedded culture that limits unnecessary after-school meetings.

• Shared Growth: Access to high-quality, evidence-informed CPLD both within the school and across the wider River Learning Trust network.

The Swan School is proud to be part of the River Learning Trust (RLT). This connection offers our staff exceptional benefits, including:

• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

• A highly supportive network of professional services and peer collaboration across schools.

• Commitment to continuous service recognition for school colleagues.

River Learning Trust and The Swan School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing extremism. We conduct checks and online searches in accordance with Keeping Children Safe In Education guidance. It is an offence to apply for certain roles within schools if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

For documentation, please see RLT Safer Recruitment Documents. Visit our website www.riverlearningtrust.org for up-to-date policies including our Child Protection and Behaviour policies.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. For further guidance for applicants, click this link: List of offences that are not filtered.

We don't just accept difference; we celebrate "different contributions" and are dedicated to building an inclusive environment where every colleague can thrive. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know so we can support you to be at your best.

The school reserves the right to consider and interview candidates ahead of the closing date if appropriate. An offer may be made to an exceptional candidate in this instance.

All staff must ensure that the highest priority is given to following the guidance and regulations to safeguard children and young people. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and obtain any other statutorily required clearance. Employment will also be conditional on the receipt of at least two acceptable references (1 from current/latest employer) and evidence of the formal qualifications required for the role.

Please note: We do not accept CVs; please apply via My New Term. Part-time hours will be considered for the right candidate.

We reserve the right to interview and appoint exceptional candidates early.

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