School Counsellor

Summary

The School Counsellor will provide a high-quality, confidential counselling service to pupils and staff of Hereford Cathedral School and appropriate guidance to parents. The role supports the school’s commitment to safeguarding, emotional wellbeing and mental health through a whole-school, trauma-informed approach, contributing to early intervention, prevention and positive outcomes for children and young people.

Detail

Post title: School Counsellor Location: Herefordshire Contract: Permanent Hours/weeks: 2 days per week, term time only (36 weeks per year

Salary: £41,959 - £43,256 FTE. This equates to £13,427 - £13,841 for the work pattern detailed. Start date: April 2026

Responsibilities: Counselling and Therapeutic Support To deliver individual counselling to pupils across the Senior and Junior Schools, and to staff where appropriate, using evidence-based and ethically sound therapeutic approaches. To support parents/carers through consultation and signposting, where this is in the best interests of the pupil. To work with a broad range of presenting needs, including (but not limited to): Anxiety, stress and low mood Bereavement, loss and trauma Self-harm and disordered eating Anger, emotional regulation and behavioural concerns Abuse, neglect and attachment difficulties Transitions, identity and self-esteem To work sensitively with pupils with SEND, neurodiversity and complex needs, adapting practice accordingly Whole-School Wellbeing and Pastoral Contribution To play a visible and proactive role within the school’s pastoral and wellbeing framework To provide professional consultation and guidance to teaching and pastoral staff supporting pupils in emotional distress. To work collaboratively with form tutors, Heads of Year, the pastoral team, the SEND department and senior leaders. To contribute to the development and delivery of the mentoring scheme and other earlyintervention initiatives. To liaise with the Head of PSHE to support wellbeing, relationships and mental health education. Safeguarding and Professional Practice To act at all times in accordance with the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). To recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, sharing information with the DSL in a timely manner. To maintain clear professional boundaries and uphold confidentiality within safeguarding requirements.

Safeguarding and Professional Practice (cont.) To maintain accurate, confidential records using secure systems in line with GDPR and data protection legislation. To attend regular clinical supervision with a suitably qualified supervisor and engage in reflective practice. To practise in accordance with the ethical framework and professional standards of the BACP, UKCP, HCPC or equivalent body. Service Development, Monitoring and Reporting To promote understanding of the counselling service, including referral pathways and confidentiality boundaries, to pupils, staff and parents. To provide anonymised monitoring data and termly reports to senior leadership on service usage, emerging themes and trends. To evaluate the effectiveness of the counselling provision and contribute to continuous service development. To maintain up-to-date knowledge of local mental health provision and referral pathways, including CAMHS and voluntary services.

Documents

• Recruitment-booklet-counsellor PDF Document