School Counsellor - Part-time - Special Needs Position

Portal House School, Dover

• Ref:KCC886-7067-161S
• Posted:10/06/2025
• Pay:KSE £27,852 - £29,716 pro rata
• Start Date:02/09/2025
• App Close Date:30/06/2025 at 11:00
• Interviews:02/07/2025

Advert

School Counsellor - Part time, two days per week, term time only. Special Needs position.

Overview 

To provide an independent and confidential counselling service to students responding to their personal, social, emotional or education concerns. All students have an EHCP for SEMH/ASD.

Main Role and Responsibilities 

• To provide one to one counselling sessions to students.
• To maintain confidentiality in accordance with BACP practice guidelines – other than in circumstances where it may be appropriate to disclose information.
• To utilise and engage with the existing referral and case management system to ensure all students can access appropriate counselling support within a timely manner.
• To liaise where appropriate, and with the student’s consent, with other members of school staff regarding issues which may be impacting on their wellbeing or education.
• To liaise with and make referrals where appropriate, and with the student’s consent, to other agencies (such a CAMHS).
• To liaise with the designated safeguarding lead as required with respect to risk and safeguarding issues.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of counselling provision, making recommendations for service developments and providing feedback to SLT / Governors.
• To provide basic guidance and support to school staff to assist them in supporting students experiencing emotional distress.
• To foster a culture of student wellbeing throughout the school and by actively promoting counselling and wellbeing initiatives.
• To maintain comprehensive confidential case records and keep these secure.
• To work at all times within the ethics and guidelines of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). 

In additional all members of the school community are expected to:

• Display a commitment to child protection and safeguarding. Report to the headteacher any behaviour by colleagues, parents and children which raises concern.
• Comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.

Key Requirements:

• BACP accredited/registered National Counselling Society
• Full clean driving licence
• Proactive, creative and innovative
• Emotionally robust and reliant
• Flexible, engaging and adaptable
• Willing to learn teaching strategies and techniques
• Knowledge and understnding additional needs and Child Protection

Portal House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

If you wish to apply for this post a DBS check is required.

Information about the school

At Portal House School, we envision a future where every student—regardless of their challenges—feels valued, empowered, and inspired to succeed. We are committed to nurturing confident, resilient learners who are equipped with the academic qualifications, life skills, and self-belief to thrive in further education, employment, and beyond. Through compassion, structure, and opportunity, we aim to transform lives and open doors to brighter futures.

Our school consists of up to 80 secondary-aged students with significant Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and acts as a fresh start to their educational experience. Our mission is to reverse negative experiences of education and help every student rediscover a love for learning.

We offer a nurturing, inclusive environment in modern, purpose-built facilities where students are supported to thrive both academically and personally. Our students typically have broadly average or above-average academic potential, and we tailor our curriculum to help them achieve meaningful qualifications and life skills. We offer a broad and balanced curriculum as well as bespoke learning pathways for students who need a more tailored approach due to their individual circumstances.

Our small class sizes (typically 4–7 students) ensure that each learner receives focused support from qualified teachers and dedicated teaching assistants. This personalised approach enables our students to leave us with an average of 8–9 accreditations (GCSEs, BTECs, and Entry Levels), ready to progress into sixth form, college, apprenticeships, or employment.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Mrs R Bradley
• Address:Sea Street, St. Margaret's-At-Cliffe, Dover, Kent, CT15 6SS
• Telephone: (01304) 853033
• Email: finance@portal-house.kent.sch.uk

Fax: (01304) 853526

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Person Specification