Secondary School Counsellor or Education Mental Health Practitioner

Required from September 2025

4 days per week, 6 hours per day 8.50 am - 3.35 pm (including 45 minute unpaid break)

24 hours per week x 39 weeks per year

(Term time including INSET days)

Consideration will also be given for two colleagues to work two days each to equate to the 4 days outlined above. Please indicate this on your application form.

Annual Salary FTE Grade 10 Points 24 – 28 FTE £34,314 - £37,938

Actual salary - £18,868 - £20,861

St Mary's Catholic High School are looking to appoint a highly skilled and experienced School Counsellor to work in partnership with the Pastoral and Wellbeing Team to provide support for the emotional wellbeing of pupils across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.

The post holder will be expected to offer counselling to pupils for a range of needs including but not limited to mild to moderate mental health issues, anxiety, self-harm, low mood, family issues, childhood trauma, attachment needs, relationship difficulties, bereavement, anger management and adverse childhood experiences.

The successful candidate will have:

• A Degree or Post-Graduate Diploma or Masters level in Counselling or Psychotherapy (including 100 hours integrated counselling practice)
• Minimum Level 4 Diploma and BACP membership, NCS or equivalent
• Previous experience of working as a counsellor for children and young people.
• Demonstrable understanding of the developmental, social, emotional, mental health and educational issues of young people.
• Knowledge of local mental health and CAMHS services
• Confident working knowledge of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ and other key legislation pertaining to children.
• Awareness of range of needs of people from diverse ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds

We are particularly keen to reflect the diverse nature of our student community in our staff; we welcome applications from all qualified applicants and strongly believe that diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact to our whole school community.

Potential candidates would be very welcome to have an informal telephone discussion with Miss McKay, Designated Safeguarding Lead before applying.  If you would like to do so or would like any further information, please contact the Headteacher’s PA, Mrs Rachel Gilding by email.  (Please note that the school will be closed for half term holiday Monday 26 to Friday 30 May).

TO APPLY YOU MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN THE SCHOOL’S APPLICATION FORM.  CVS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

Application forms may be downloaded from the school’s website www.st-maryshigh.derbyshire.sch.uk or alternatively please email Mrs R Gilding, Headteacher’s PA at rgilding@stmaryschesterfield.org.uk for further information or an application pack. 

Closing date:  9.00 am on Monday 2 June 2025.  Interviews to be held Monday 9 June 2025

St Mary's Catholic High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and as such expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.