Ja nua r y 2 0 2 2 C ouns e l l or ( Pa r t Ti me ) C HA ...

CHANNING JUNIOR SCHOOL

Counsellor (Part Time)January 2022

Junior School Counsellor - January 2022

The School Counsellor will be required to provide a counselling service to pupils aged from 4-11. As amember of the non teaching staff, the School Counsellor’s ultimate line manager will be the Bursar,although day to day responsibility will be to the Junior School Deputy Head.

There will be half-termly meetings with the School Nurse and the counsellor in the Senior School, as wellas weekly meetings with the Junior School Deputy Head.

It is anticipated that the role will be for up to 2 days a week (days and timings to be agreed with thesuccessful applicant). A 12-month contract will be offered in the first instance. This is a part-time, termtime only, post for 35 weeks of the year. Hours are likely to be between 8.30am and 4.30pm.

Salary will be dependent on experience and qualifications.

The successful candidate will be able to work confidently on their own initiative, demonstrating soundjudgement and the ability to refer pupils on to appropriate support as necessary. The Counsellor will beable to communicate effectively with pupils, staff, parents and outside agencies. Support in the planning anddelivery of PSHE, Form Time and INSET sessions would also be desirable, although the scope of the postwill be discussed further at interview.

All staff are expected to share the responsibility for safeguarding the welfare of the pupils, in accordancewith the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

Notice PeriodDuring the probationary period (3 months), the period of notice will be four weeks on either party.Following completion of probation, the period of notice will be one month.

Holiday EntitlementThe successful candidate/s will be entitled to paid holiday and bank holidays pro rata to that of a full timepost (20 days leave per annum in addition to the usual Public Holidays). Your salary is calculated to coveryour weeks of work and your holiday entitlement. As this is a term-time only post, you are not entitled totake any annual leave during term time.

PensionThe School will enrol you from the first day of your employment in a non-contributory pension schemewith the School contributing the equivalent of 10% of your salary on a monthly basis.

Other BenefitsFree lunch is provided in the Junior School Hall.Free Yoga and Pilates Classes.

Channing Junior School Counsellor - Job Description

Main Responsibilities

● To offer care, guidance and support to vulnerable pupils● To offer pupils individual counselling and support● To work with a diverse range of issues including bereavement and loss, transition, eating disorders

and self harm, depression, anger management and erratic behaviour, abuse and anxiety● To use robust assessment techniques in order to make appropriate and timely referrals as required● To provide consultation to staff who have pastoral responsibilities● To support teachers with PSHE/Form Times themes and our emotional management programme● To develop and maintain relationships with relevant external agencies in relation to referrals and

accessing specialist support● To keep suitable case records in a secure place● To liaise with parents as appropriate● To attend regular supervision with a suitably qualified supervisor outside of contracted hours● To ensure compliance with all relevant school policies● To provide information on the service, the role of the counsellor and the boundaries of

confidentiality to pupils, staff and parents● To report back to the Junior School Deputy Head every half term on numbers using the service and

give a general overview of the types of problems with which the users of the service are presenting● To abide by the codes of practice and ethics recommended by the British Association for

Counselling and Psychotherapy, the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy or equivalentorganisation

● To devise and, where appropriate, deliver a programme of training to pupils and staff to support anddevelop the counselling service including during staff INSET days

● To review and evaluate the service for the purpose of future development

Person Specification -Junior School Counsellor

Education/Qualifications

Essential

● Post-graduate Diploma or Masters level in Counselling or Psychotherapy● Membership of a professional body, such as BACP, UKCP or BPC

Desirable

● Further therapeutic training or qualification in working with children and young people

Knowledge

Essential

● An understanding of the developmental, emotional, social and educational issues of children andyoung people

● An awareness of range of needs of people from diverse ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds● Knowledge of local mental health and CAMHS Service

● Knowledge of the Children’s Act and all legislation pertaining to the safeguarding of children

Experience

Essential

● Experience of working with young people, ideally of primary school age● Experience of giving brief or fixed-term counselling

Desirable

● Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team● Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience● Minimum of 1 year experience of working with children and young people

Skills & Abilities

Essential

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills● Ability to work independently, manage own caseload and use initiative● Ability to work under pressure● Flexibility to embrace change and work within a developing organisation● An interest in on-going professional development● Patience, tolerance and sensitivity● A mature and non-judgmental outlook● Enthusiasm

Desirable

● Experience of using Mac OS● Experience of using Google Workspace

ApplicationsApplications are to be made via TES.com. A CV will not be accepted in place of the completed applicationform. Incomplete application forms will be returned to the applicant where the deadline for completedapplication forms has not passed. If you have difficulties submitting your application form, please contactthe HR department at [email protected].

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 24 November 2021

Interviews: Friday 3 December 2021

Channing School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people andexpects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. To assist in this, the school follows a formalrecruitment procedure for the employment of all staff which adheres to the recommendations of theDepartment for Education (DfE) in "Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education" and the school’sChild Protection Policy. A copy of this procedure is available on request.

Subject to statutory provisions, no applicant will be treated less favourably than another on the grounds of aprotected characteristic. Ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration.

Information about the post for candidates

The SchoolAwarded ‘Exceptional’ in its achievements in teaching and learning, and ‘Excellent’ in all other areasinspected (the highest possible awards in all categories) by ISI in 2015, Channing School is summed up byits Vision, ‘Girls Enjoying Success’.

Girls at Channing enjoy academic success from a tailored educational programme that encouragesconfidence, independent thinking and provides girls with life skills to take on the next stage of theireducation as thoughtful, responsive, socially aware adults, prepared for the challenges of the world today.

Founded in 1885 by Unitarian sisters and supported by Rev. Robert Spears, Channing School, named afternotable American Unitarian William Ellery Channing, has been known as a successful, happy community.Remaining true to our Unitarian foundation, the School is an inclusive community that values the individualskills, spiritual beliefs, achievements and contribution of all members of the school community.

Going beyond Academic AchievementWe believe that examination success is not solely the end goal of a pupil’s journey through school, ratherthat it should be an enriching academic and extra-curricular experience that allows girls to develop skills,confidence, creativity and character, instilling in pupils a lifelong love of learning and a firm belief thatanything is possible.Experienced, dedicated teachers offer a supportive, encouraging and challenging learning environment thatallows pupils to achieve success beyond what they might have thought possible.

Virtually all pupils leaving at the end of Sixth Form go on to study at top universities, both in the UK andfurther afield.

Community SpiritThough large enough to ensure academic rigour and excellent facilities, the school is small enough for theHead and members of staff to know every girl personally and as an individual. We have a strong familytradition and a supportive Parents' Association. The atmosphere is happy and purposeful. We set highstandards emphasising concern and respect for the needs of others. A major feature of the school is thehuge range of extra-curricular activities on offer to pupils and it is expected that all staff will contribute insome way to this side of the life of the school. Opportunities exist for involvement in cultural, dramatic,sporting and intellectual pursuits and staff assist in areas where they have a genuine interest andenthusiasm.

Exceptional SettingThe school is in an attractive part of Highgate, with convenient transport links by road and underground.Visitors are often surprised at how light, green and open our site is. We have preserved the character ofthe older buildings, but completely refurbished andredesigned them to provide bright and spaciousteaching rooms. Our ambitious £13m buildingprogramme, completed in 2017, has provided us withexcellent dining facilities, a Music School, a new SixthForm Centre, Sports Hall with fitness suite and aPerforming Arts Centre on the senior school site, butavailable to the whole school.

Channing Junior SchoolChanning Junior School has been housed in thegracious Victorian family home known as ‘Fairseat’built by Sir Sydney Waterlow, former Lord Mayor of

London since 1926. The School is situated in extensive gardens at the top of Highgate Hill with spectacularviews over London. The house is well-maintained with light, spacious and elegant rooms.  These include aMusic Room, rooms for individual music lessons and an Art/DT Room. Recent renovations have beencompleted to include further teaching spaces, a Drama Studio and a new multi-purpose hall.

The Junior School provides a happy, stimulating and secure environment for some 336 girls aged 4 to11. Entrance is at 4+ and is selective. The broad-based curriculum recognises the importance of the coresubjects of English, Mathematics and Science and delivery is through a mix of form teaching and subjectspecialism. The curriculum is supported by local trips and outings, to take advantage of the opportunitiesoffered by the capital. In Reception and KS1, pupils are taught mainly by their Form Teachers supported byteaching assistants. We aim to provide small children with a strong sense of security during their first yearsin the school and as a result, the school is a happy place to learn. They have specialist teaching in Music,Drama, Art/DT (from Y1), PE, Spanish and Forest School. As girls progress into KS2, the teaching remainsform-based but with additional specialist teaching in French and Geography. The girls are encouraged tobecome independent learners and, through a variety of teaching strategies, to achieve an increased love oflearning and knowledge of the wider world.

Virtually all full-time staff contribute in some way to our extensive and important extra-curricularprogramme and raising money for charity, community service, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and YoungEnterprise are highly valued. The staff-room is friendly and mutually supportive, and cross-curricularinvolvement is welcomed and encouraged, particularly in activities outside the classroom. The girls arereceptive and well-motivated, and conditions for staff are excellent; we pay London salaries and there isgenerous provision made for INSET and professional development.