Trainee Counsellor

Trainee Counsellor (volunteer opportunity)

Start date: Not applicable. Successful applicants will start their placement once the school’s safer recruitment checks have been completed.
Hours of work: 1 day per week with a minimum of 4 clinical hours per week plus fortnightly supervision, Term Time Only
Length of placement: Dependent on individual course requirements but not exceeding one year.

We are offering placements at the Dunraven Secondary Phase to Counselling or Psychotherapy students who require practical counselling experience with 11-18 year-old students to supplement their studies.

The number of clinical hours will be dependent on trainees’ availability, however we would advise a minimum of 4 hours per week so this can be beneficial to your studies and our students.

The successful applicants will be working with secondary school aged students and demonstrate an ability to deal with confidential matters in a supportive and therapeutic manner, the primary focus being the well-being of our students. The school’s aim is “Excellence for All” and the trustees wish to offer such placements to candidates of significant ability and enthusiasm, aware of and stimulated by the challenges and potential of a successful multi-ethnic coeducational school.

DUNRAVEN SCHOOL OVERVIEW

Dunraven School’s results are strong, remaining well above national averages and representing positive ‘value-added’. Recognition of its marked progress has been significant and its journey as a school is important to us. For example:

• In February 2011 we were designated as both a National Support School and a Leading Edge School.
• In August 2011, we converted to Academy status.
• In 2012 we began our development as an All Through School with children starting in Reception in September 2013.
• In summer 2013 our £20 million BSF programme was completed.
• In October 2014 we were judged as outstanding in all areas, including both Early Years and the Sixth Form, by Ofsted.
• In 2016 we were designated as a National Teaching School and an Academy Sponsor. The Dunraven Educational Trust was established.
• In September 2018, our Multi Academy Trust was formally set up with the integration of Van Gogh Primary, followed by Goldfinch Primary school in January 2019.
• In September 2021, The Elmgreen School and Rosendale Primary School joined the Trust.
• In March 2023 we were judged by Ofsted as good overall with outstanding features.

All schools within the Dunraven Educational Trust are committed to the safety and protection of their students. An enhanced DBS check and a barred list check are required prior the start date of this volunteer placement.

Closing deadline: Not applicable, suitable candidates are welcome to apply throughout the year

ROLE SUMMARY

Based on the Dunraven School sites, you will provide weekly, short and long term counselling to young people aged 11 to 18, experiencing a wide range of emotional difficulties.

MAIN ACTIVITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• To offer young people individual counselling.
• To provide consultation to staff whose role is to support emotional distress, bearing in mind best practice regarding information sharing, confidentiality and BACP ethical guidance.
• Attend at least 75% of scheduled group supervision, presently 2 hours every fortnight.
• Attend two half days of induction and safeguarding training.
• Attend at least 2 out of 3 Counselling Service Team Meetings, per year, presently one per term, taking active role in agenda setting and preparation.
• Work within the school’s statutory obligations and Counselling Service guidelines on client confidentiality, safeguarding/ child protection.
• To discuss and report Safeguarding and Child Protection concerns to the Director of Inclusion.
• Keep confidential records in accordance with DPA and BACP guidelines.
• Work within BACP ethical framework at all times.
• Attend interviews of prospective volunteer counsellors and participate in process, as well as give feedback as to suitability for the role, as required.
• Work closely with Counselling Service Lead in order to maintain an effective counselling service, including discussing developments within the service, highlighting difficulties, suggesting and exploring alternative approaches.
• To conduct CORE assessments for statistical recording.
• Keep up to date on developments in counselling for young people.
• To exercise a commitment to the school’s mission statement and ethos including the equal opportunities policy, health and safety policy and all other current school policies.
• To undertake any other duties or one-off tasks at the reasonable request of the Principal/SMT/Line Manager/Counselling Service Lead.

This role description sets out the duties at the time of drafting. The role description may need to be amended from time to time to ensure compliance with the guidance from relevant professional bodies.

Interviews may be conducted on a rolling basis.