Overview
School counselling roles require a specific blend of therapeutic training, safeguarding knowledge, and the ability to work within a school environment. Most graduates applying for these positions have completed a counselling qualification alongside their degree, but many fail to communicate the depth of their practical experience. Schools want to know how many hours you have spent in a therapeutic setting, what modalities you work with, and how you handle safeguarding disclosures.
Naomi Griffiths completed a BSc in Psychology at Swansea University, followed by a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling at a BACP accredited training provider. She accumulated over 100 supervised clinical hours during her placement at a secondary school and a children's bereavement charity. Her resume demonstrates that she is not just academically prepared but clinically experienced and ready to support pupils.
What Makes This Resume Work
Clinical hours are clearly stated. Naomi specifies that she completed 100+ supervised client hours, broken down by setting. A school hiring a counsellor needs to know this number because it determines whether a candidate has enough practice experience to work safely.
Safeguarding disclosures are handled with care. She describes receiving disclosures from pupils and following the school's safeguarding procedures, including completing CPOMS records and informing the DSL. She does not share details of cases, which shows professional boundaries.
The therapeutic approach is named. Person-centred and integrative are not just buzzwords here. Naomi explains how she used creative therapeutic techniques with younger pupils and adapted her approach based on individual needs. This tells a school that she can work flexibly across year groups.
Key Takeaways
For school counselling applications, lead with your clinical hours and the settings where you completed them. Name your therapeutic modality, your supervisor, and any specialist training such as bereavement, self-harm awareness, or anxiety management. Mention your BACP membership status (even if student membership) and your commitment to ongoing supervision. Schools need to trust that you will work ethically and safely with vulnerable pupils.
