Volunteer Counsellor

Bletchingley Village Primary School is a caring and warm environment, dedicated to developing our pupils emotionally and socially, and maximising their potential to learn. We are looking for two volunteer counsellors to join us.  

 What can you gain from volunteering with us?

• You’ll gain valuable experience of counselling primary age children in a school setting.
• You will receive group supervision with a suitably qualified CYP clinical supervisor.
• You’ll have the opportunity to work towards the clinical hours required for further CYP training/accreditation
• We will complete any necessary paperwork and reports needed for placement records.

Working Arrangement: School-based, in a fully equipped play therapy room within a friendly and supportive positive working environment. Free onsite parking. 

Requirements:

●      You will be a qualified integrative or person-centred therapist (qualified to minimum L4) with at least 30 hours of clinical experience of working with adults or older children or in your second or third year of a specific child counselling course from a reputable provider.

●      You will attend group supervision sessions provided.

●      You will be willing to complete a DBS disclosure form.

●      You must be able to provide a minimum of three direct contact counselling hours per week (sessions last for 45 minutes).

●      You are intending to work with the counselling service until the end of the academic year but at least two terms (and give one term’s notice if leaving early).

●      You will avoid absence during termtime.

Expectations

●      Good knowledge of and commitment to the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions (or equivalent professional body’s ethical framework), and the BACP Supplementary Good Practice in Action: 046: Working with Children and Young People.

●      You must be able to maintain BACP (or other appropriate professional body) membership throughout the term of the placement.

●      You must have your own professional indemnity insurance, and you are adequately insured for the duration of your placement.

●      You agree to abide by the ethics and policies of the school.

●      You have experience of operating clear and effective boundaries within all areas of work.

●      You must have a good understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding and legal implications of working with children and young people in a school setting.

Abilities/Skills

●      To hold and manage a clinical caseload of at least 3 clients per week and to offer therapeutic sessions of 45 minutes each.

●      You can provide both short-term and long-term counselling.

●      You can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and be able to demonstrate good interpersonal skills.

●      Be able to work in a culturally sensitive and inclusive way.

●      You have some experience of working with children or young people, even if it is unrelated to counselling.

●      To see clients on a weekly basis for a duration of 8 sessions or longer based on clinical need and in agreement with the Clinical Supervisor/Lead Counsellor.

●      To ensure the safety of self and client within the counselling setting.

●      To identify any clients that may require referral to other specialist services in consultation with the Clinical Supervisor/Lead Counsellor and the school.

●      To ensure that all clients are treated with dignity and respect.

●      To maintain appropriate records in line with the counselling service requirements.

●      To understand and adhere to the school’s safeguarding policy.

●      To be responsible for identifying any shortfalls in knowledge surrounding working with children and young people and attend training as appropriate.

Application Process

Please request, complete and return an application form 

(CVs will not be accepted)