Counselling jobs in United Kingdom

Salary: Level 4, Point 19 – £22,125.68 + SSA allowance £1,047.89 per annum

(FTE £27,767 + SSA allowance £1,315.07 per annum)

Level 5, Point 22.1 – £23,911.39 + SSA allowance £1,047.89 per annum depending on experience

(FTE £30,008 + SSA allowance £1,315.07 per annum)

Location: Arbour Vale School, Farnham Road, SL2 3AE / Arbour Vale Satellite Centre, Derwent Drive, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 6HW

Working Pattern: 33.5 hours per week, term time only (Monday 8.30am – 4.30pm; Tuesday - Friday 8.30am – 3.30pm)

Arbour Vale School is a large and inclusive special school in Slough, supporting pupils aged 2 to 19 with a wide range of educational needs. It is one of the largest special schools in the country, meeting the needs of children and young people with moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning needs, and autism.

The school is purpose built with specialist facilities including a dedicated nursery and post‑16 base, soft‑play area, hydrotherapy pool, multi‑sensory room, a newly refurbished library, well‑equipped IT suite, dedicated music room and large sports hall. Arbour Vale School is a vibrant and welcoming community and offers many opportunities for professionals who want a rewarding career enabling young people to achieve their full potential irrespective of their personal learning needs.

Slough Borough Council has recognised the need for additional school places, and we are delighted to be working in partnership with the Council on an exciting new development at our satellite centre in Slough. This phased expansion will create 80 additional places over two years, increasing Arbour Vale School’s total capacity to 455 pupils across two sites. This is a fantastic opportunity to join our growing and inclusive school community, with roles available at the main school site and the satellite site, as we continue to provide high‑quality, personalised education for children and young people with a wide range of special educational needs.

We are seeking Specialist Teaching Assistants to join our team. In these roles, you will support classroom teachers to ensure high‑quality learning outcomes for all pupils within a safe and supportive environment. You will provide personal care, deliver therapeutic interventions, and uphold the highest standards of safeguarding. On occasions, you may take a lead in learning activities or assume additional responsibilities in the teacher’s absence, making a direct impact on the development and success of our pupils.

• Support Learning and Development - Assist classroom teachers to ensure all pupils can access the curriculum, promoting progress, independence, communication, and positive behaviour.
• Provide Personal and Therapeutic Care - Deliver personal care, medical interventions, and individual therapy programmes (e.g., Physio, OT, SaLT, specialist feeding), following care plans and undertaking relevant training.
• Safeguarding and Wellbeing - Promote the safety, health, and wellbeing of pupils at all times, reporting any concerns in line with school safeguarding and Health & Safety procedures.
• Classroom and Resource Support - Prepare classrooms and learning environments, support displays, manage resources, and provide clerical or administrative assistance as required.
• Leadership and Additional Responsibilities - Occasionally cover for teachers, lead learning activities, and take specific responsibilities such as therapy lead, behaviour support, communication lead, or resource management under professional guidance.

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths, grade 4 / C or above
• Proven successful experience of working or caring with children in an educational setting
• Understanding of and commitment to work within the scope of the school’s equal opportunities policy
• Ability to work constructively as part of a team understanding classroom roles and responsibilities and your own position within those responsibilities.
• Commitment to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children

OHCAT is an exciting, forward‑thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Rewards & Benefits :

• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)

Find out what makes OHCAT a truly rewarding place to work - visit our ‘Work for Us’ page to hear from our Chief Executive Officer, John Prior, and watch inspiring messages from students and parents about the difference our staff make every day.

Arbour Vale School is part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre‑school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our website.

We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.

Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.

As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.

It is an exciting time to be part of OHCAT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.

If you wish to discuss this opportunity before or after submitting an application form, please get in touch with the School directly. Visits to the School in advance of applications are encouraged.

Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.

To apply for this role, please click ‘Fast Apply’, you will then be directed to a ‘Login’ page, once signed in, please complete and submit the Application Form.

Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.

Closing Date : Friday 28th November 2025

Interviews will take place on: to be confirmed

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.