Therapeutic or Psychodynamic Counsellor

Permanent, Term Time Only (3-5 days per week, flexible)

The Eastern Learning Alliance are an innovative and exciting family of schools based in the East of England who work together to achieve excellent outcomes for all our students the LA's vision is to ensure we provide our diverse communities across the East of England with the full suite of excellent educational provision and support necessary to ensure all our young people can thrive.

Join The Eastern Learning Alliance as a School Counsellor and become part of a world leading, innovative trust underpinned by The Cavendish School's proven track record of outstanding therapeutic provision. You'll work alongside expert practitioners in cutting edge, evidence based interventions-supported by bespoke digital platforms and cross trust peer supervision-to deliver personalised, holistic care that empowers students to excel academically, socially, and emotionally. Through our unique MDT approach, you'll have everything you need to make a meaningful, lasting impact on young lives. If you're passionate about pioneering best in class counselling practices and shaping the future of student wellbeing, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

As a Counsellor/ Psychodynamic Counsellor for the Eastern Learning Alliance based at The Cavendish School, you will play a key role in:

• Delivering 1:1 and small group sessions across a caseload across a primary school, secondary schools, sixth forms and a SEND school with autistic pupils with complex communication needs
• Supporting pupils within diverse school communities
• Shaping and evolving whole-trust and school wellbeing practices as part of a committed multidisciplinary team

We are looking for someone who believes that education is about the whole child, and who is passionate about unlocking each pupil's voice in whatever form that may take

What We're Looking For

• Qualified Therapeutic/ Psychodynamic Counsellor (BACP/ UKCP registered)
• Experience working with young people and autistic children in educational or clinical settings.
• Excellent team-working, communication, and organisational skills
• A reflective practitioner who is committed to inclusive, pupil-centred support
• Enthusiasm for contributing to a therapeutic, trauma-informed approach across the school

Whether you're newly qualified and share our ethos or bring a wealth of experience, we offer flexible working, supportive supervision, and a welcoming, multidisciplinary team where your work is truly valued.

Why Join Us?

• A trust consisting of only good and outstanding schools.
• A vibrant, therapeutic and supportive school community
• Access to professional development, training, and clinical supervision
• A team of passionate professionals committed to equity and inclusion
• The chance to make a real difference - not just for pupils, but for their families and futures
• A Well-being directory for all staff offering financial supports and to improve wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Free school meals are provided for dining with our pupils.
• A 50% discount to our trust sports centre membership
• An additional bookable holiday "Eastern Family Day" for you to take when you require
• A modern flexible working school, with the opportunities for home working and reduced hours.

If you believe in inclusive, relationship-based practice and want to make a lasting impact in a trust that promotes mental health care and wellbeing, then we would love to hear from you.

ELA offer a sector leading staff benefits offer alongside bespoke, high quality CPD programmes, cross-trust events, and exceptional opportunities for career development within our innovative family of schools.

• ELA know that our strength is our people, so we prioritise staff wellbeing, retention and development. Over 95% of ELA staff say they're proud to work in their school.
• ELA are firm believers in the power of recognising, celebrating, and rewarding talent: our track record in terms of retention, internal promotion opportunities and wider career development is excellent.
• ELA staff enjoy a sector leading staff benefits package alongside bespoke, high quality CPD programmes, cross-trust events, and exceptional opportunities for career development within our innovative family of schools.
• You can find out all about our Trust and staff offerhere .

ELA staff benefits include:

• Reduced contact time to enable professional development;
• EAP with access to counselling & physiotherapy;
• Paid annual family day;
• Cycle to work & electric car lease schemes;
• Enhanced parental leave;
• Ticket ballots for high profile events;
• Generous annual leave allowance for support staff;
• Discounted gym membership for all staff.

Our Trust is committed to equal opportunities, to safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff are expected to share this commitment and undergo the appropriate checks. All positions within the Trust are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references along with a Certificate of Good Conduct if applicable. Only applications submitted on using the ELA application form will be accepted. We do not accept applications by CV. You can view our safeguarding policy here .

Please send a completed application form and covering letter to: Lisa Lincoln, The Cavendish School, Park Drive, Impington, Cambridgeshire, CB24 9LY or e-mail: . Due to the high volume of applicants, we receive for certain roles, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier that the advertised date if we have received applications that reach the criteria.

All shortlisted applicants should expect to be called for interview no more than 5 working days after the closing date. If you have not heard from us by then, your application has not been successful. Visits to The Cavendish School are welcome.