School Counsellor jobs

School Counsellor (Secondary School), Stroud District, Gloucestershire

Self-employed | Term-time only | £22 per hour | Up to 15 paid counselling hours per week | September 2026 start

Snowford Grange Counselling & Psychotherapy is an award-winning school-based counselling service working in partnership with more than 60 schools across primary, secondary, SEND and alternative provision settings.

We are recruiting for a substantial new secondary-school counselling placement in the Stroud district area from September 2026.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established secondary-school counselling provision, providing a consistent therapeutic presence across three days each week.

This role offers the opportunity to become part of an established, professionally managed school counselling service, delivering consistent one-to-one counselling within a secondary school and becoming an embedded member of its wider pastoral and wellbeing team.

Our preference is to appoint one counsellor across all three days. However, applications are welcomed from counsellors able to offer one, two or all three days.

Purpose of the Role

To provide consistent, high-quality one-to-one counselling to young people aged 11 to 18 within a secondary-school setting, supporting pupils’ emotional wellbeing while working within the school’s established pastoral and safeguarding systems.

The successful counsellor will become an embedded member of the wider support team, helping pupils overcome emotional challenges, strengthen resilience and engage more positively with school life.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver regular one-to-one counselling sessions to secondary-aged students.
• Manage an agreed counselling caseload independently and professionally.
• Develop safe, trusting and effective therapeutic relationships with young people.
• Work collaboratively with the school’s pastoral, safeguarding and wellbeing teams.
• Share information appropriately and proportionately in line with safeguarding and ethical requirements.
• Maintain accurate and appropriate clinical records.
• Work within the ethical framework of BACP or an equivalent recognised professional body.
• Attend induction and mandatory safeguarding training.

Commitment and Continuity

The full provision consists of 15 paid counselling hours across three consistent school days.

Our preference is to appoint one counsellor across all three days where possible. However, the provision may be shared between two suitably qualified counsellors.

Applications are welcomed from counsellors able to offer one, two or all three days.

Counsellors are expected to:

• Commit to agreed school days throughout the academic year.
• Understand that a full school day equates to five paid counselling hours.
• Maintain consistent attendance and communicate professionally if difficulties arise.
• Recognise the importance of continuity and planned therapeutic endings when working with children and young people.

Essential Requirements

Applicants must:

• Hold a recognised counselling qualification at Level 4 Diploma or above.
• Be a current member of a recognised professional body, such as BACP, UKCP or NCPS.
• Be appropriately qualified, reflective, well-supervised and committed to safe, ethical work with children and young people.
• Have a sound understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.
• Hold professional indemnity insurance.
• Hold an enhanced DBS certificate (or be willing to obtain one).
• Maintain appropriate professional supervision.
• Be able to work independently within a school environment.
• Be able to travel reliably to the Stroud district area during term time.
• Be able to provide two satisfactory professional references.
• Be registered as self-employed with HMRC, or willing to register before starting.

Experience of working therapeutically with children and young people is preferred.

Previous experience within a secondary school, education setting or comparable youth, safeguarding or pastoral environment would be an advantage.

Why Join Snowford Grange?

At Snowford Grange, we believe that supporting our counsellors is just as important as supporting the young people they work with.

As part of our team, you’ll benefit from:

• A substantial, consistent school-based caseload from the start of the placement.
• One established school placement, with no travelling between multiple settings.
• A thorough induction into Snowford Grange’s systems and school-based counselling practice.
• Clear safeguarding, governance and operational support.
• Ongoing professional and organisational support from an experienced school counselling service.
• The opportunity to become part of an award-winning organisation working in partnership with more than 60 schools.

Application Process

Please submit:

• Your current CV.
• A short covering statement outlining your therapeutic approach, relevant experience and availability.
• Confirmation of the weekdays you are available to work.
• Confirmation of whether you are interested in one, two or all three days.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and suitable candidates may be contacted before the closing date. The vacancy may close early if the provision is successfully filled.

At Snowford Grange, we value professionalism, reliability and strong therapeutic relationships. If you’re looking to become part of a supportive organisation committed to making a genuine difference within schools, we’d love to hear from you.

Pay: £22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 15.0 per week

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Stroud: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Which weekdays are you consistently available to work from September 2026? Please indicate whether you are interested in one, two or all three school days.
• Please briefly outline any therapeutic experience you have of working with children and young people and/or within a school setting.
• Which weekdays are you consistently available from September 2026? Please indicate your preferred working days and whether you are interested in one, two or all three school days.
• Please confirm your approximate location and that you are able to travel reliably to the Stroud district area during term time.
• Why do you feel you would be a good fit for this role with Snowford Grange?
• Please state the recognised counselling qualification you hold (minimum Level 4 or equivalent), including the awarding body and qualification level.
• Please confirm your recognised counselling qualification (minimum Level 4 or equivalent), including the awarding body and qualification level. Please also attach an up-to-date CV outlining your counselling experience, particularly any work with children and young people.

Licence/Certification:

• Recognised counselling qualification at Level 4 or above (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person