School Counsellor Required January 2021 Or As Soon As Possible

Appointment of

School Counsellor Required January 2021 or as soon as possible

Chinthurst is an independent day school for approximately 243 boys and girls aged from 2 years 6 months, to 11 years. It is a growing school which has recently become a part of the Reigate Grammar School group of schools. The school is located in between the villages of Walton-on-the Hill and Tadworth. It was established in 1908 and has an excellent academic and sporting reputation, sending children to the most selective senior schools in the area. The pupils may benefit from an early offer and transfer to Reigate Grammar School following an internal assessment and recommendation. However, others will also be prepared to sit 11+ exams and move on to schools which include Epsom College, St John’s, Caterham, Box Hill School, Hurstpierpoint College and Worth School. The school is non- denominational but is based on Christian values. Music, sport and drama play an important part in the life of the school.

General

Chinthurst is a part of Reigate Grammar School (RGS) family of schools, but is a separate charity and a company limited by guarantee. Chinthurst has its own board of governors and it is responsible for the governance of the school. The governors delegate the day-to-day running of the schools to the Headteacher. Chinthurst benefits from being a part of the RGS group of schools with access to the expertise and resources of the wider group.

Governance and Management

The Headteacher of Chinthurst is given considerable autonomy in the day-to-day running of the school and manages all operational matters with the support of the Chinthurst senior leadership team.

Job Profile

Purpose

To work with the members of the pastoral team at Chinthurst to provide a counselling service to the children within the school community. The service will provide for individual casework through a confidential appointments system.

Duties and responsibilities

 To provide a counselling service for primary aged pupils  To provide support and guidance to the pastoral team enabling them to better identify and support students with emotional health and well-being difficulties  To establish effective liaison with the Head of Pastoral Care and Headteacher  To advise the Head of Pastoral Care and Headteacher on any related issues as they occur  To establish, maintain and monitor appropriate administrative systems with regard to student referral and to provide termly reports of the service and contribute to regular reviews keeping records/notes in accordance with GDPR requirements  To follow policies and procedures which govern the counselling service  To take part in appropriate professional development  To ensure that the BACPs Code of Ethics and Practice is adhered to  To make use of external supervision on a regular basis in accordance with BACP guidelines.  To take responsibility for health and safety, equal opportunities and data protection within the scope of the post  Follow procedures for Child Protection and Safeguarding children  Work systemically with both the family and school and outside agencies where necessary

Person Specification

Qualifications  The successful applicant will have a Diploma in Counselling and must have experience of working with primary aged children post qualification  BACP (Or equivalent) Accredited/Registered Counsellor  Recognised training/qualification in therapeutic work with children and young people (minimum Diploma level)  The applicant must have, or be working towards, accreditation with BACP/UKCP or equivalent

Knowledge

Essential  A thorough knowledge of Child Protection

Desirable  Awareness of requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act, Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act as applied to the counselling role

Experience

Essential  Evidence of post qualifying supervised practice  Experience of working with other agencies

Desirable  Experience of counselling in an education environment  Experience of working with children of both sexes aged 2.5-11 Years

Skills

Essential  Excellent communication and listening skills  Be committed to the concept of inclusive education and to have high expectations of all pupils  Able to work well under pressure, exercise thoughtful judgement and display sensitivity  Able to maintain confidentiality appropriate to the setting  Very well organised and able to maintain appropriate records  Confident in the use of ICT

Personal attributes

Essential  Caring and sensitive  Patient and tolerant  A mature and non-judgemental outlook  A good sense of humour

Terms and Conditions

 This would be a zero hours contract with the flexibility to increase hours according to demand.  The school will pay for the first six sessions of counselling for any child, with any subsequent sessions paid for by the parents of the child attending the counselling sessions.  The sessions will be charged at a rate agreed between the school and the counsellor.  Employees are entitled to join the School’s Auto Enrolment Pension Scheme.  Successful applicants will be required to make an enhanced disclosure to the Disclosure & Barring Services and to complete an Online Pre-Placement Medical Questionnaire.

Safeguarding

Chinthurst School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All applicants should read the school’s Child Protection policy, which is available on our website, and are required to declare any criminal convictions or cautions, or disciplinary proceedings related to young people. Enhanced disclosures from the Criminal Records Bureau will be sought on all successful applicants. Full details are given on the application form. Other pre-employment checks will include references and a medical assessment.

Applications

Applicants are asked to complete the Support Staff Application Form and Supplementary Form (which are available on the school website) and send it with a supporting statement to the Human Resources Manager, Reigate Grammar School. The closing date is Friday 8 January 2021. Candidates should be aware that, in accordance with Child Protection processes, it is customary to take up references before final interview.

Applications may be made by letter or by email to the address below. Mrs Dawn Holmes Head of Human Resources Reigate Grammar School Reigate Road Reigate Tel: 01737 222231 RH2 0QS e-mail: [email protected]

Reigate Grammar School is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from appropriately qualified persons regardless of sex, race, religion, disability or age. Candidates will be assessed against relevant criteria only (i.e. skills, qualifications, abilities, experience) in selection and recruitment.