School Counsellor (Primary Schools) – Rugby Area, Warwickshire
Self-employed | Term-time only | £22 per hour | 1–3 consistent school days 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 expanding our primary school counselling provision in the Rugby area and are looking to appoint one or more counsellors from September 2026.
This is an excellent opportunity to deliver creative, play-based counselling within welcoming primary school communities, becoming a trusted member of each school's wider pastoral team.
We welcome applications from counsellors able to offer one, two or three consistent school days per week.
Purpose of the Role
To provide high-quality, one-to-one counselling to primary-aged children within school settings, using creative, play-based and developmentally appropriate therapeutic approaches to support emotional wellbeing, resilience and healthy emotional development.
The successful counsellor will become a trusted member of each school's wider pastoral and safeguarding team, working collaboratively with staff to help children overcome emotional challenges and engage more positively with school life.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver regular one-to-one counselling sessions to primary-aged children.
- Use creative, play-based and developmentally appropriate therapeutic approaches.
- Build safe, trusting and effective therapeutic relationships with children.
- Manage an agreed counselling caseload independently and professionally.
- Work collaboratively with school pastoral, safeguarding and SEND teams.
- Share information appropriately and proportionately in line with safeguarding and ethical responsibilities.
- Maintain accurate and appropriate clinical records.
- Work within the ethical framework of BACP, UKCP, NCPS or another recognised professional body.
- Attend induction and mandatory safeguarding training.
Commitment and Continuity
A full school day typically consists of five paid counselling hours, with primary school counselling sessions usually lasting 30 minutes.
Where counsellors work across more than one school, each agreed day is spent within a single school, enabling them to become a consistent and valued member of that school's wider pastoral team.
Applicants should be able to commit reliably to agreed school days throughout the academic year and recognise the importance of continuity and planned therapeutic endings when working with children.
Essential Requirements
Applicants must:
- Hold a recognised counselling qualification at Level 4 Diploma or above.
- Be a current member of a recognised professional body (BACP, UKCP, NCPS or equivalent).
- 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 school settings.
- Be able to travel reliably to schools within the Rugby area.
- 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, particularly using creative or play-based approaches, is desirable but not essential. We welcome applications from suitably qualified, reflective counsellors who are keen to develop their experience within primary school settings.
Why Join Snowford Grange?
At Snowford Grange, we believe that supporting our counsellors is just as important as supporting the children they work with.
As part of our team, you'll benefit from:
- Consistent school-based work from the start of your placement.
- The opportunity to build long-term therapeutic relationships within primary school communities.
- A thorough induction into Snowford Grange's school-based counselling practice.
- Clear safeguarding, governance and operational support.
- Ongoing professional support from an experienced school counselling service.
Application Process
Please submit your current CV and a short covering statement outlining your therapeutic approach, relevant experience and availability.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and suitable candidates may be invited to interview before the closing date.
If you're looking to become part of a supportive organisation committed to making a genuine difference within primary schools, we'd love to hear from you.
Pay: £22.00 per hour
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Rugby, Warwickshire: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):
- What recognised counselling qualification do you hold?
- Are you a current member of BACP, UKCP, NCPS or another recognised professional body?
- Are you registered as self-employed with HMRC, or willing to register before starting?
- Which weekdays are you consistently available from September 2026? Please indicate whether you are available for one, two or three school days per week.
- Do you hold a full UK driving licence and have access to your own vehicle?
- Please briefly outline your experience of working therapeutically with children, including any creative or play-based approaches you use.
- Why do you feel you would be a good fit for this role with Snowford Grange?
Licence/Certification:
- Level 4 (or above) Counselling Qualification (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
