Job Description and Personal Specification
Job title: Counsellor/Therapist (Alternative Provision)
Place of work: Dunstable
Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week (Term time)
Salary/Grade: 32, Pro rata)
Reports to: Head of Provision
Level of screening: Enhanced
Who we are
The Regulation Station CIC is all about 'training the future', building strength from vulnerability and preparing children and young people, not only to learn and to do well in exams, but to do well in the world and in life.
We aim to address the susceptibility of children and young people to poor social and academic outcomes due to poor mental health; academic and social exclusion and systemic inequities.
The Regulation Station is passionate about the impact early intervention can have on long term life outcomes for children and young people using
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) self-regulation skills training with children and young people, aged 10-14, that are at risk of, or experiencing, social and academic exclusion and mental health challenges.
The aim of the intervention is to increase the likelihood of children and young people achieving positive academic and personal outcomes by offering educational assessment to identify potential underlying learning and developmental difficulties and access to a personalised curriculum.
Our Values
* Take care of yourself and others
* Be accountable for your actions and their impact
* Embrace vulnerability as a source of strength
* If it's not good enough for you, it's not good enough for anyone else
* Know what you want to achieve before you begin
* Be aware of your power and use it wisely
* Take time to stop and smell the roses
Our Core Principles
* All behaviour is communication
* Those we work with are doing the best they can and want to improve
* Those we work with need to do better, try harder and be motivated to change
* Those doing the work also need support
What does good look like for this role?
You are very experienced in therapeutic work with young people and adults with a wide range of difficulties, including:
* Those who experience high levels of anxiety or depressed mood
* Those who show aggressive behaviour
* Those who have difficulty accessing their learning
You are experienced in working with DBT skills and have successfully worked with children and young people to improve their attitude and engagement.
You are flexible in your approach, positive and self-motivated, able to work both independently and as part of a team.
You are resilient and able to employ a range of strategies and tools to effectively work with students with complex emotional and behavioural challenges.
You are able to handle the responsibility that dealing with the emotional well- being of vulnerable young people can bring, and to work with colleagues to identify students who need specific support and enable them to make academic progress.
You are passionate about inclusion and confident to assist in reintegrating students into a mainstream school when the time comes
Overall purpose of role
Provide DBT-based self-regulation skills training, therapy and coaching for students, promoting their emotional health and well-being and building their resilience to help them cope with the difficulties they face.
This will include creating or supporting personalised plans to ensure students:
* become motivated, positive and resilient,
* develop self-help skills to get themselves to where they think they should be,
* gain the confidence to experiment, make mistakes and thrive,
* treat themselves and others with kindness and respect,
* discover new ideas, activities, and ways of doing things.
Main Duties
Undertake one-to-one interventions with students, including DBT-informed, arts based or talking therapies.
Plan and facilitate STEPS-A (DBT skills training) groups in collaboration with the Wellbeing and Learning Support Team.
Engage in discussions about newly referred students and give a therapeutic insight to their needs.
Support the orientation and induction of students referred to the provision.
Plan, develop and manage Peer mentoring and instruction programs.
Coordinate and facilitate bespoke group work e.g. Reintegration and Transition group, Self Esteem, Friendship groups, Stress Management etc.
Respond to changes in trends and themes within the provision cohort and develop counselling/therapy interventions accordingly.
Contribute to and/or attend Pastoral and Safeguarding meetings to offer professional guidance on pastoral issues.
Lead formulation discussions and facilitate debrief and planning consult with the team as well as other planning and review meetings with colleagues as directed by Senior Leaders
Be aware of confidential issues and how and when it is appropriate to share with colleagues.
Maintain an adequate level of monthly supervision.
Maintain a high standard of record keeping in relation to programs and interventions.
Prepare weekly, half termly, termly and annual reports of student interventions and their impact
Relationships and Expectations
Establish and maintain a positive regard towards both students and staff, promoting equity and inclusion.
Maintain good relationships with students, exercise appropriate authority, and act decisively when necessary.
Have high expectations of behaviour and establish a framework for discipline with a range of strategies, using praise, sanctions and rewards consistently and fairly.
Have clear rules and routines for behaviour and take responsibility for promoting good and courteous behaviour across the provision, in accordance with the provision's behaviour-regulation policy.
Support positive behaviour considering the personal, social and emotional needs of students
Promote a love of learning and students' intellectual curiosity.
Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge students.
Demonstrate consistently the positive attitudes, values and behaviour which are expected of students.
Act as a Key Adult, establish good relationships and communicate effectively with parents/carers about students' well-being and to promote students' learning and development.
Be committed to celebrating students' successes and presenting their work through high quality displays, exhibitions etc.
Professional development
Take an active part in identifying and working on one's own professional development needs.
To undertake any training as appropriate with the aim of increasing professional skills and expertise
Deliver in-service training to colleagues as appropriate.
Take responsibility for improving performance through appropriate professional development, responding to advice and feedback from colleagues.
Other duties
Embody and model The Regulation Station mission, values and core principles making a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the provision.
Have conversations with students, identifying the issues affecting them and giving information and guidance about services and opportunities to help with their emotional needs.
Working with students to develop or implement a personalised skills development plan, reviewing and ensuring the plan is progressed.
Carry out all duties in accordance with The Regulation Station policies on Health and Safety, Child Protection and Data Protection, and within relevant legislation.
Contribute to improvement planning and provision self-evaluation process as appropriate.
Undertake shared duties of supervision of students during break times and before and after provision.
To support students in mainstream schools who have been referred to The Regulation Station and support the re-integration of students back into Mainstream schooling.
Make full use of Performance Appraisal opportunities.
Comply with all provision policies and procedures.
To undertake other duties as deemed appropriate by the Head of Provision
Qualifications
- Master's degree in Counselling or related field
- Experience working with at-risk youth or in alternative education settings
- Certification in counselling or therapy
- Strong understanding of trauma-informed care and mental health support
- Ability to create and implement individualised therapy plans
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Familiarity with behavior management techniques and crisis intervention strategies
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £20.00 per hour
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Dunstable, LU6 3SF: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
* Certificate of Higher Education (required)
Licence/Certification:
* HCPC or NMC registration or working towards (required)
Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person