Vacancy - Student Counsellor Psychotherapist (Child)

PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITY – Volunteer School Counsellor/Psychotherapist (VSC/P)

(Child counselling and psychotherapy)

The Board of Trustees of Smart Multi Academy Trust is seeking to develop working relationships with the Northern Guild by offering placement opportunities for counselling and psychotherapy students. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a multi-agency-faceted role where students will be welcome to develop their skills across a number of disciplines across the eight schools in the Trust.

Overall purpose of the role: To provide emotional and therapeutic support to children aged 4-11 within the school based counselling service, whilst working within the BACP/UKCP ethical framework for counselling professionals (or other relevant Professional body) to improve and maintain the mental health and well-being of children.

Duties and responsibilities: The successful candidate will be required to work within the developing guidelines of the SMART Multi Academy Trust:

To provide one to one counselling or therapeutic work within the SMART school counselling service for children aged 4–11 years old in an allocated school. The number of allocated sessions will depend on relevant experience and the availability of the student.
To provide a counselling needs assessment with parents/carers for children accessing counselling.
Manage their own caseload diary, ensuring accurate record keeping and working in-line with the Trust’s safeguarding policy and procedure.

Create and maintain excellent working relationships with parents and school staff. Liaise with the appropriate professionals in relation to the child.

Provide information and case material to contribute to the annual evaluation report.

The Volunteer School Counsellor/Psychotherapist (VSC/P) will be required to work in-line with SMART’s confidentiality and information sharing policy.
To work alongside and be supported by pastoral leads within school settings to work with identified children, including, where appropriate, liaising with external agencies.

Clinical Supervision: Successful VSC/Ps will be responsible for their own clinical supervision arrangements that comply with their course requirements. Within school, they will report to the school SENDCo who will provide line management supervision and ongoing support. The Trust is dedicated to promoting the mental health and wellbeing of our children. As a result, the Trust will contribute to the costs of clinical supervision and we would be happy to discuss this with successful candidates.

Closing date for applications: Applications are welcome over the course of the year and informal interviews with prospective candidates will be held at a mutually convenient time.

Applying

If you decide to apply for this post, please complete the Smart Multi Academy Trust application form and all supporting documentation.

Smart Multi Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All posts are subject to an enhanced disclosure check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Please note that in all cases, written references will be taken up and made available to interviewers before the final selection stage; even if you indicate otherwise.

Please send all completed applications and supporting documentation to enquiries@smartacadmies.net for the attention of Jenny Spoors, Administration and Finance Support Officer.