Counsellor

Loreto Sixth Form College; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 44,000; Part time

Job summary

An educational institution in the UK is seeking an experienced Counsellor to provide weekly counselling sessions to students and staff. This role involves providing a drop-in service, ensuring confidentiality and handling safeguarding issues, and referring students to internal and external support as necessary. The position is permanent, term-time only, requiring 6 hours per week with a salary range of £41,019.00 to £43,143.00 per annum.

Qualifications

• Experience in providing counselling services to students.
• Ability to manage confidentiality and safeguarding issues.
• Proven track record in supporting students in a school environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide weekly counselling sessions during students' free periods.
• Offer a drop-in service for staff and students.
• Consult with the Designated Safeguarding Lead as necessary.

Skills

Counselling skills

Confidentiality management

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

Relevant counselling qualification

Job description

Loreto Sixth Form College is looking to appoint an experienced Counsellor to provide students with weekly counselling sessions during their free periods and lunchtimes, and staff with counselling appointments as appropriate. The successful candidate will provide a weekly counselling drop‑in service, giving staff and students the opportunity to meet briefly with a counsellor without an appointment, and operate a waiting system for counselling appointments as referrals increase as the academic year progresses.

The postholder will carefully balance confidentiality and safeguarding concerns and manage this skilfully and sensitively, consulting with the Designated Safeguarding Lead as necessary. You will ensure, upon assessment, that the necessary support is put in place for students in need, often signposting/referring on to external agencies or internally to other departments within the college structure.

About the College

Loreto Sixth Form College has been awarded a second consecutive outstanding rating in all areas under the latest framework in our December 2022 inspection. Ofsted noted "Leaders place a very high priority on staff mental health and wellbeing including workload. For example, staff can access counselling services, chaplaincy support, and the employee assistance programme". Loreto strives for excellence in staff and students alike, ensuring "Students benefit from an inclusive learning environment that celebrates their individual contributions to the college."

Loreto Sixth Form College is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All candidates and post holders including volunteers are subject to appropriate vetting procedures as outlined in Part 3 of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025. This includes an online search for shortlisted candidates, as well as a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced check with barred list information and any other relevant checks with statutory bodies for successful candidates.

Supporting Statement

In your supporting statement we ask you to outline why you are interested in the role and how you feel you are suited to it with reference to the criteria in the person specification. This is part of the application process and therefore will be assessed. You must tell us how you meet the criteria listed.

SFCA Support Staff pay spine points 23-25 (£41,019.00 to £43,143.00 per annum, £5,672.93 - £5,966.68 pro rata)

Permanent, Term-time Only, 6 hours per week (0.1383 FTE)