What does a School Counsellor do?
A School Counsellor works with the staff, students and students’ parents to create a healthy and productive environment for the pupils. They listen to problems regarding schoolwork or stress that may arise during an academic year and offer guidance in overcoming them. They also work with other Teachers and staff members to create training and programmes that can help students excel.
School Counsellor skills and qualifications
The main attributes for a School Counsellor are trustworthiness and reliability for both students and other Teachers. A successful School Counsellor candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications including preliminary IT skills to access, maintain and update student records. Other important skills include:
- Excellent verbal communication skills
- The ability to balance administrative and support services
- A good understanding of the schooling system
- Membership with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
- Active listening skills
- The ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- The ability to understand people’s reactions
- Patience and the ability to accept criticism
School Counsellor experience requirements
Ideal candidates have at least one year of experience in working with children and offering them actionable guidance. If this is an entry-level position with no previous work experience required, employers expect candidates to have experience in volunteering or an apprenticeship in social work or counselling. Counselling is a career area where work and life experience are highly valued and many organisations expect employees to occasionally undergo therapy and reflect on their job with a supervisor. Applicants must also pass enhanced background checks as they will be working with children.
School Counsellor education and training requirements
Most employers expect applicants to have a degree or postgraduate qualification in social work approved by Social Work England. Some employers also consider candidates with a degree in sociology, education or youth and community development, followed by a two-year postgraduate degree in social work.
Bonus qualifications include college courses offering a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling, Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Skills or Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, followed by an advanced apprenticeship in school counselling.
School Counsellor salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a School Counsellor in the UK is £8.14 per hour. Salary may be dependent on experience, location and company.
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