Job Description

Job Summary

In line with our continued commitment to supporting mental health and emotional resilience, Hills Road Sixth Form College is seeking a compassionate and proactive Staff Wellbeing Counsellor who is passionate about fostering a positive and supportive working environment. We are looking for someone who can bring professional expertise, empathy and fresh ideas to enhance the wellbeing of our dedicated staff community.

Recently rated 'outstanding' again, Hills Road Sixth Form College continues to enjoy a strong national reputation for excellence in education. In part, this is because we continually review and refine our practice to enhance the experiences of our students and staff. We also appreciate that academic success requires a happy, healthy and caring community, so our coaching culture ensures that the wellbeing of our students and staff is at the heart of all we do.

Closing date:

Friday 18th July 2025 at 9.00am

Interviews:

w/c Monday 21st July 2025

Details and an application form for the above post may be obtained from our website www.hillsroad.ac.uk

The Post

This is an exciting opportunity for a counsellor to contribute to the provision of outstanding counselling services to the College staff. Working on a self-employed basis, the successful candidate will be available to provide a confidential and professional counselling service to staff on a part-time basis. Although this role is advertised as term time only, we do have some all-year-round colleagues who may benefit from sessions outside of typical term-time arrangements.

The successful candidate will see members of staff with pre-booked counselling appointments scheduled during the College day. There is a designated, confidential counselling room for sessions to take place. On occasion, some colleagues may have a preference to engage in remote counselling sessions via Teams.

The Staff Counsellor must be appropriately qualified, insured and experienced with accreditation or imminent accreditation from a professional body, as per the person specification. The successful candidate will have substantial relevant experience and be able to demonstrate competence in working with adults in a counselling/ advisory role.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds who can bring different perspectives to the role including people from black, Asian and ethnically diverse communities, people with disabilities, people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community and men who remain under-represented in this part of the workforce.

Main Accountabilities:

To offer and provide staff with individual confidential counselling sessions on a short-term basis working with a diverse range of issues To maintain accurate and confidential counselling case notes that are kept secure in line with data protection regulations To liaise with the Director of Human Resources where trends might be identified that require further consideration in the wider College context To make follow up wellbeing calls where needed to ensure colleagues' safety To promote positive mental health and wellbeing within the College community To respond to colleague emails in a timely fashion to provide initial support ahead of scheduled sessions taking place To provide information on the counselling service, the role of the counsellor and the boundaries of confidentiality to staff To perform duties within the codes of practice and ethics recommended by the BACP, UKCP or equivalent organisation

Accountabilities that relate to all staff at the College:

Demonstrate behaviour and values consistent with the person specification Promote equality of opportunity in accordance with the College's Equality and Diversity Statement Maintain high standards of attendance and punctuality Comply with all College policies and procedures. This includes those where each member of staff has an individual duty to act and for which the College can be held vicariously responsible for the actions of its employees: equality and diversity safeguarding the welfare of young people health and safety

Qualifications & Training

Postgraduate level in Counselling & Psychotherapy

Accredited and registered with BACP or UKCP Ability to work with an integrative approach to practice that draws on several counselling theories, such as person-centred counselling, psychodynamic counselling or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

Experience

Two years post core qualification, clinically supervised counselling experience in a paid or voluntary capacity . Previous experience in Education is preferable.

Skills & Ability

Good written and verbal communication skills Positive listening skills Ability to work independently, manage own caseload and use initiative Ability to work effectively under pressure Ability to respond flexibly and positively to changing contexts Ability to exercise patience, tolerance, and sensitivity Ability to use tact and diplomacy in all communications and to deal with confidential matters with utmost discretion

Knowledge

An understanding of the developmental, emotional, social and educational issues An awareness of range of needs of people from diverse ethnic, cultural, and social backgrounds Ability to communicate effectively with staff from various backgrounds, creating a safe and inclusive space for dialogue Knowledge of local mental health services
Job Type: Part-time

Expected hours: 5 per week

Benefits:

Company events Free parking Gym membership On-site parking
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 18/07/2025
Expected start date: 01/09/2025