School-Based Counsellor (Maternity Cover)

Salary: Grade 7 - £32,061 - £35,412 pro rata

The School-Based Counselling Service for Pembrokeshire has an exciting opportunity for a qualified, dedicated counsellor to gain invaluable experience working with a diverse range of young people.

Are you a compassionate and skilled counsellor who is dedicated to supporting children and young people to thrive?

We are seeking a passionate School-Based Counsellor to work with pupils from Year 4 through to Year 13 across our supportive and nurturing school community. You will be working to the guidance set out by the BACP Ethical Framework and School Based Counselling Operating Toolkit and the All-Wales Safeguarding Procedures 2025.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people by providing high-quality therapeutic support within an educational setting.

The Role

You will:

• Provide one-to-one counselling support for pupils aged 8-18
• Build strong, trusting relationships with children and young people
• Work collaboratively with school staff, parents, and external professionals where appropriate
• Maintain accurate records and uphold safeguarding responsibilities in line with LA and WG legislation.
• Support pupils with emotional wellbeing

We are looking for someone who:

• Holds a recognised counselling qualification from a BACP Accredited course (Minimum level 4) preferably with training in CYP Level 5.
• Has extensive experience working with children and adolescents
• Has experience of play skills
• Has experience and good understanding of working with trauma effectively
• Is warm, empathetic, enthusiastic and approachable
• Understands safeguarding and confidentiality within schools
• Can work independently while also being part of a wider pastoral team
• Has excellent time management skills and holds firm boundaries around counselling sessions
• Has experience of working within online platforms such as Microsoft

What We Offer:

• 5 days a week, Term time Only
• A meaningful role where your work truly matters
• A welcoming and supportive team environment
• High levels of support and regular supervision from an experienced line manager
• Regular Clinical Supervision to meet caseload and BACP requirements
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• Mileage allowance for primary school sessions

If you are passionate about improving the emotional wellbeing of children and young people and would like to join a caring and committed team, we would love to hear from you.

We would consider a job share.

To apply or find out more, please contact us today.

Employee Benefits

Our employee benefits are designed to help invest in your future and are in addition to living and working in Pembrokeshire, one of the most beautiful and desirable counties in the UK.

The Visit Pembrokeshire website https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/ is an excellent source of information, and showcases the wide variety of activities, amenities and adventures that await you.

Please refer to the job description above for more details on this vacancy and the person specification.

Employment Checks

This post is subject to a DBS disclosure check.

Where it is appropriate for your role and responsibility, the personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by visiting https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.

Applicants should ensure they have the right to work in the UK before applying for a vacancy.

Please note that at this point, Pembrokeshire County Council is not accepting applicants who require a Skilled Worker visa as a prerequisite to a right to work in the UK. Applicants should ensure they have the right to work in the UK before applying for a vacancy.

Guidance Note: Use of AI and Accuracy of Information:

• We understand that applicants may choose to use tools such as generative AI to support the preparation of their application. While the use of such tools is permitted, it remains the applicant's full responsibility to ensure that all information submitted is factually accurate, truthful, and representative of their own skills, experiences and qualifications.
• Providing information that is false, misleading, or exaggerated, regardless of whether it was generated by AI or not, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process or dismissal if discovered after appointment.
• By submitting this application, you confirm that all content provided is accurate and submitted in good faith.

The Supported Employment Programme is a group of local authority based enterprises that employs over 75 people with a disability or work limiting health condition, please visit the link below for further information: Pembrokeshire Supported Employment Programme - Pembrokeshire County Council

Safeguarding

Safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk is a high priority for Pembrokeshire County Council. We aim to support vulnerable children and adults at risk to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. We are committed to ensuring their safety and will take action to safeguard their well-being. The Council's Corporate Safeguarding Policy provides a framework for every member of staff and Service within the Council, setting out responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk as well as the methods by which the Council will be assured that it is fulfilling its duties.

This policy applies to all Council employees and workforce, councillors, volunteers and also service providers that are commissioned by the Council. Safeguarding is everyone's business whether they work for, or on behalf of, the Council.

Support & Additional Info

• Please contact the HR Systems Team as early as possible if you're unable to apply online by emailing hrsystemsteam@pembrokeshire.gov.uk .
• Please contact the Recruitment Team if you have any queries relating to this vacancy by emailing Recruit@pembrokeshire.gov.uk .
• Local Government Employees on National Joint Council (NJC) terms are subject to national pay bargaining; all salaries currently stated in our adverts are as 01/04/2025.
• Please note, we have a legal obligation to consider employees for suitable alternative employment if their posts are at risk; therefore prior consideration will be given to existing employees who meet the person specification and are registered on our redeployment pool.

Welsh language skills are desirable. Applications may be submitted in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.