School Counsellor

Join Lift Kingsley and make a real difference to the wellbeing of our students. We're looking for a kind-hearted and experienced School Counsellor to provide trusted, confidential support to students and help them feel safe, heard and able to thrive.

About the role

As a School Counsellor, you'll play an important role in supporting the welfare and wellbeing of students across the school. You'll provide an independent and confidential counselling service through individual and group sessions, supporting students with a range of personal, social, emotional and educational concerns. You'll help create a caring and supportive environment where students feel able to talk openly, while promoting positive mental and emotional health. You'll work closely with colleagues including the Principal, Senior Leadership Team, SENDCO and other professionals to support students' welfare and safeguarding. You'll also help identify trends and patterns in the issues students are experiencing and use these to inform appropriate support.

Key responsibilities

Provide individual and group counselling sessions, responding to students' personal, social, emotional and educational needs. Create a safe, caring and supportive environment where students can explore their concerns. Deliver workshops and targeted support for individuals and groups based on patterns or needs identified within the academy. Maintain confidentiality while following safeguarding and child protection requirements. Play an active role in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students. Work with school staff and other professionals to provide an effective counselling service. Make appropriate referrals to external and multi-agency services, with student consent where appropriate. Work with parents and carers when required, within confidentiality and information-sharing guidelines. Maintain accurate and secure records of counselling sessions and case notes. Provide relevant information to the Designated Safeguarding Lead when appropriate. Produce an annual report on the counselling service and the issues being presented by students. What we're looking for We're looking for someone who has experience of working with children, young people and families and who can build positive, trusting relationships with students.

You'll need:

A Level 4 Diploma in School-Based Child Counselling or equivalent. A minimum of A Levels or equivalent, with GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4 or equivalent. Knowledge of current safeguarding practice and the education system. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The ability to listen actively and respond to students with empathy. The ability to maintain clear and up-to-date case notes and write comprehensive reports. Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage appointments, prioritise your workload and meet deadlines. The confidence to de-escalate situations and remain calm when dealing with challenging or difficult situations. A non-judgemental and empathetic approach to working with young people. Resilience, patience and the ability to work independently. A higher-level qualification in counselling or a related field, and experience using Google Workspace, would be desirable.

About our school

We are incredibly proud of our students' phenomenal achievements and the progress the school has made in recent years. At Lift Kingsley, a warm and welcoming community, students benefit from excellent teaching, strong support, and positive staff-student relationships, achieving well above national averages. Recognised by Ofsted (Good in all areas, 2025), Lift Kingsley has transformed rapidly and has outstanding potential. At the heart of our community, we develop knowledge, ambition, and kindness, preparing students for university and beyond. Who is Lift Schools? Lift Schools is made up of 62 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 35,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives - and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential. How we support you We want you to feel supported, valued and able to grow throughout your career with Lift Schools. From high-quality professional development and career progression to wellbeing support and opportunities to connect and collaborate across our network, we invest in you so you can do your best work.