Counsellor

The vacancy
Are you a qualified counsellor who is passionate about supporting young people to overcome challenges and achieve their potential? This is an opportunity to play a vital role in supporting the health, wellbeing and success of students and apprentices at Doncaster College.
As a Counsellor, you will provide a professional and confidential counselling service for learners enrolled with DN Colleges Group, working in line with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework. You will support individuals experiencing a range of personal, emotional and wellbeing concerns, helping them to engage positively with their learning and remain on programme.
Working as part of the Safeguarding, Prevent and Inclusion team, you will collaborate with colleagues and external agencies, contribute to safeguarding and risk management processes, and help develop and promote the counselling service. This is a rewarding opportunity for a compassionate professional who wants to make a meaningful difference within a further and higher education environment.
EMPLOYMENT DETAILS
Salary: £27,944 - £30,468 (Grade 4) pro rata per annum
Actual Salary: £26,116.89 - £28,475.86
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 35.5 hours per week
Working Weeks: 40 weeks (term time)
Location: Doncaster College
Reporting Line: Safeguarding, Prevent and Inclusion Leadership
Key Responsibilities

• Provide confidential, professional counselling support to students and apprentices enrolled at DN Colleges Group.
• Assess risk and support the monitoring and review of learners who may be vulnerable or at risk.
• Liaise with statutory and voluntary organisations to facilitate appropriate referrals and access to specialist support.
• Maintain accurate, secure and compliant case records, administration and data in line with BACP requirements and college procedures.
• Attend regular clinical supervision and maintain professional practice in accordance with BACP standards and ethical guidance.
• Develop, review and contribute to counselling policies, procedures and service improvements.
• Plan and deliver counselling-related workshops and group sessions for students and apprentices.
• Promote the counselling service through induction activities, open events and other awareness-raising opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with safeguarding and inclusion colleagues and external partners to support learner wellbeing and retention.
• Undertake ongoing professional development, training and continuous professional development (CPD) activities relevant to the role.
  

Essential Criteria

• Foundation degree in Counselling and current registration as a BACP Registered Practitioner working within the BACP Ethical Framework.
• GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent).
• Experience of providing therapeutic counselling to a wide age range, ideally within an educational setting, including experience of working with external referral agencies.
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation relating to young people and vulnerable adults, with the ability to assess and manage risk appropriately.
• Strong communication, organisational and case management skills, with the ability to work independently, maintain professional boundaries and produce accurate case records.
  

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

• Specialist qualifications relating to working with young people.
• Post-qualifying counselling experience.
• Experience or interest in facilitating developmental groups.
  

Additional Information

• Safer Recruitment: As part of the recruitment process and in line with keeping children safe in education, we will conduct social media checks on shortlisted candidates. Additionally, before commencing employment, all employees undergo safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS.
• Right to Work: Applicants must be authorised to work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
  

Why Join Us?

• Competitive salary
• Employers contribution
• 30 Bookable annual leave days + bank holidays, and 2 weeks off at Christmas.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Access to same-day GP appointments, high street discounts, discounted hair and beauty treatments, electric car scheme.
• On-site gym & florist (site dependent).
• Access to our In-house Food Hall & Coffee Shops.
  

Core Working Hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30am to 4:00pm on Friday. The standard full-time working week is 35.5 hours, and flexibility around working patterns may be agreed with your line manager to meet business needs.
As part of our commitment to a fair and inclusive recruitment process, all applications are assessed anonymously and scored solely on the information provided within the application form. To ensure every candidate is considered equally, we are unable to accept CVs. To apply, simply enter your email address and click on "Apply Now" to begin your application.
We're always happy to chat! If you'd like any further information about this role or any part of the application process, please don't hesitate to contact our Recruitment team at staff.recruitment@dncolleges.ac.uk. We'd love to hear from you.
About Us
Here at Doncaster College and University Centre we understand that choosing what to do next can be a huge decision. It’s not just about the course you choose to study, it is about the tutors, the experiences and the friends you meet along the way.
We have over 120 courses at full and part-time, from entry level right up to university level. As well as the vast amount of courses on offer, we ensure all our students get the right support and guidance whether it is through our careers service, our additional learning support, counselling, student finance and many other services all tailored to each individual.
Our exciting and modern campus is in a central location, packed with workspaces designed to industry standard. We work directly with employers allowing you real work experience and industry insight that you will not get from sitting behind a desk.
The Benefits
All employees at DN Colleges Group enjoy a generous annual leave allowance, as well as an additional 2 weeks closure over the Christmas period. We encourage all our teams to take regular breaks, no longer than 3 weeks, to enjoy a healthy work life balance.
DN Colleges Group are committed to Health and Wellbeing of all our employees. We have an increasing number of provisions exclusive to our employees, designed to help you stay at your best or to assist and provide support when you need it.
Health and fitness suite
Generous annual leave
2 weeks off at Christmas
Electric car scheme

• Vivup – Employee Wellbeing and Benefits platform
• Wellness initiatives, onsite during your working week. This could include health visitors, financial advisers, or physio specialists.
• Onsite fitness classes, at lunchtime or after work in conjunction with our Sports colleagues.
• Cycle to Work and Electric car scheme
• Free Eye Care Vouchers
• Discounted Hair and Beauty services
• On site nursery
• Online access to Remploy which is our 24/7 confidential mental health and counselling resource.
• In house counselling/safeguarding specialists to assist in Wellbeing
  

Lets Teach Programme
Let’s Teach The LET’s teach programme supports new members of teaching staff in terms of college systems and key teaching and learning areas including new staff lesson visits and postcard peeps. Each new member of staff has an allocated Lead Practitioner who works closely with them throughout the programme.
Let’s Bloom
The LET’s Bloom Programme aims to connect our experienced and qualified teachers to share best practice and support continued risk-taking as we continue to add depth to our teaching craft. Teachers volunteer on this one year programme, working closely with the Learning Enhancement Team, capturing their experimentation in a journal.
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