Lead Counsellor

Uppingham School is currently seeking a compassionate and dedicated Lead Counsellor to join our team and make a lasting impact on the lives of our students. This is an exciting opportunity to play a crucial role in providing exceptional pastoral care and shaping the overall well-being provision in a welcoming environment.

As the Lead Counsellor, you will be responsible for overseeing and managing the counselling provision at the school, as well as line-managing a team of two existing part-time counsellors. Our counselling service is accessible to all pupils and forms an integral part of our comprehensive pastoral care program. Some students with complex needs will require regular therapeutic support, while others may seek assistance on an ad hoc basis to address specific challenges. In addition to managing your own case load of approximately 22 hours of clinical work per week, you will also triage and allocate cases to the counselling team.

You will also play a significant and influential part in the overall pastoral care across the entire school community. This includes providing direct pastoral support to students and delivering training, guidance, and support to the Senior Pastoral Team, Housemasters/Mistresses, Matrons, and senior pupils. By doing so, you will help shape the holistic pastoral provision at Uppingham School.

We are looking for an individual with extensive experience of counselling young people. Whilst experience within a school setting is preferred, applicants from health and/or social care backgrounds are also encouraged to apply. You will be kind, warm, and approachable, with the ability to instil trust and confidence in pupils, parents, and colleagues. You will demonstrate emotional intelligence, well-developed pastoral instincts, and the empathy necessary to support students who may be experiencing worry, anger, or distress. You will demonstrate excellent knowledge of BACP guidelines and safeguarding frameworks as well as an understanding of how to translate this into excellent counselling practice within a boarding setting.

Issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils will be explored at interview.

In return Uppingham offers a community that values people. We are warm, compassionate, and mutually supportive. This is reflected in our working environment and the benefits we are able to offer:

• 50% contribution to premiums for School’s private health scheme
• Free membership of dual-use Sports Centre (£25 annual joining fee)
• Free staff lunches in term-time
• School fee discount for children of staff (subject to change at any time)
• Retail, gym, supermarket, cinema, and restaurant discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme which provides a range of support including counselling and legal advice
• Occupational Health Services to support staff who have health/medical issues
• Free annual ‘flu jabs’
• Recognised as a “Disability Confident” employer
• Recognised as a “Mindful” employer
• Working towards “Investors in Diversity”