School Therapist / School Counsellor (Freelance – Alternative Provision)
Location: Birmingham (travel across multiple Alternative Provision sites)
Rate: £25 per hour
Hours: 16 hours per week (2 days per week)
Contract: Freelance
Requirement: Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
About Journal to Dreams
Journal to Dreams is committed to empowering individuals and communities to overcome barriers, achieve sustainable recovery, and build brighter futures. We provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed services that support adults recovering from substance misuse, with a particular focus on addressing health inequalities and improving outcomes for ethnically diverse communities.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and compassionate School Therapist / School Counsellor to provide one-to-one therapeutic support for young people aged 11–16 within Alternative Provision settings across Birmingham.
You will work with students presenting with Special Educational Needs (SEN), Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, trauma, and complex behavioural difficulties.
This is a rewarding role supporting vulnerable young people to improve emotional wellbeing, build resilience, and develop positive coping strategies through trauma-informed, child-centred therapeutic approaches.
This role is ideal for a qualified counsellor, therapist, or youth mental health practitioner with experience in education, PRUs, or alternative provision.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver one-to-one counselling and therapeutic interventions for young people aged 11–16
- Support students with SEN, SEMH, trauma, attachment difficulties, and behavioural needs
- Conduct emotional wellbeing assessments and contribute to individual support plans
- Use evidence-based approaches such as CBT-informed practice, person-centred therapy, trauma-informed care, and motivational interviewing
- Support emotional regulation, self-esteem, behaviour management, and resilience building
- Maintain accurate, confidential case notes in line with safeguarding and GDPR requirements
- Work collaboratively with schools, SENCOs, pastoral teams, and external agencies
- Participate in multi-agency meetings, reviews, and safeguarding discussions
- Promote a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment
- Engage in clinical supervision and ongoing professional development
Essential Requirements
- Diploma, Degree, or equivalent in Counselling, Psychotherapy, Psychology, CBT, Youth Work, or related discipline
- Registered or working towards accreditation (BACP, BABCP, UKCP, NCPS or equivalent)
- Proven experience working with children and young people (11–16)
- Experience in schools, Alternative Provision, PRUs, youth services, or SEMH settings
- Strong understanding of SEN, SEMH, trauma, and safeguarding in education
- Ability to build trust and engage hard-to-reach young people
- Strong communication, assessment, and case management skills
- Commitment to trauma-informed, inclusive, and anti-discriminatory practice
- Enhanced DBS (or willingness to obtain one prior to starting)
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
Desirable Experience
- Experience delivering counselling or therapeutic interventions in schools or PRUs
- Training in trauma-informed practice, attachment theory, CBT for young people, or emotional regulation interventions
- Knowledge of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and their impact on behaviour and learning
- Experience working within multi-agency education or safeguarding teams
- Understanding of SEND frameworks and local authority support pathways
- Experience supporting young people with complex or dual diagnoses needs
What We Offer
- Competitive freelance rate of £25 per hour
- Flexible working (2 days per week / 16 hours)
- Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on vulnerable young people
- Supportive, values-led working environment in Alternative Provision settings
- Access to supervision and professional development opportunities
- Work across diverse school and youth support environments in Birmingham
Job Types: Part-time, Freelance
Pay: £25.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
