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Embedded therapeutic
support for independent schools
Structured counselling provision, 11+ wellbeing programmes, and pastoral consultation, delivered by experienced clinicians who understand the culture and frameworks of independent education.
“I would recommend KST without hesitation. In recent years, it has been one of our most impactful pastoral strategies, significantly enhancing the wellbeing of both staff and pupils across the school.”
Designated Safeguarding Lead · Independent Prep School, West London
“A student’s regulation difficulties were leading to her being labelled a ‘bully’ within the year group. With therapeutic support from KST, there has been a marked difference in her demeanour both in and out of the classroom. There have been no further incidents and her self-esteem has recovered.”
Same respondent
Three areas of provision, one consistent partnership
KST operates as an embedded clinical partner within school, not as an external referral service. We are specialists in both Prep Schools and Upper Schools, supporting children throughout their independent school journey from early primary through to senior years. We integrate into existing pastoral structures, maintain dual safeguarding reporting, and carry all governance, insurance and clinical oversight independently.
Embedded Pupil Counselling
Individual, weekly in-school counselling during the school day. Child-led, paced carefully, and shaped around developmental readiness. Sessions take place in a private, dedicated space and are delivered within a clear clinical governance framework.
Learn more11+ Wellbeing Support Groups
Professionally facilitated, small-group emotional support delivered in school across the academic year. Designed for Year 5 and Year 6 pupils navigating the particular pressures of the 11+ journey. Not tutoring. Not therapy. Structured therapeutic group work.
Learn morePastoral & Staff Consultation
Reflective consultation for DSLs, SENCOs, Heads of Year and SLT. A professionally boundaried space to think carefully about complex pupil presentations, safeguarding considerations, and the systemic dynamics that pastoral staff carry.
Get in touchChoose one service or all three. Choose the payment model that works for your school.
Schools can commission embedded counselling, 11+ wellbeing groups, and pastoral consultation independently or in combination. We work with both Prep Schools and Upper Schools, supporting children throughout their independent school journey, and we have experience implementing both payment models described below.
Parent-funded
Parents contract and pay KST directly, either per session or by Direct Debit. The school carries no financial responsibility. KST manages all payment administration, consent documentation and invoicing directly with families.
- Zero cost to school
- Zero admin burden to school
- KST invoices and collects from parents
- School supports referral and communication only
School-funded
Schools commission KST directly, either by the hour or at a fixed fee for a half-day or full-day embedded presence. This model suits schools wishing to offer provision to all pupils or where a per-parent billing arrangement is not appropriate.
- Hourly rate or fixed half-day / full-day fee
- Single invoice to the school each term
- KST still manages all clinical governance and records
- Preferred model for whole-cohort 11+ groups
Whichever payment model you choose, KST manages all clinical records, consent documentation and communication with families. Schools are not required to administer the service.
KST holds professional indemnity insurance, DBS compliance, clinical supervision and all governance documentation. Schools receive assurance without overhead.
We currently operate both models within different independent schools. We can advise on which approach suits your school's culture, size and pastoral structure.
A steady, confidential presence within your school community
Counselling sessions take place during the school day in a private, dedicated space. Sessions are weekly during term time, typically 30–50 minutes depending on age and developmental stage. Early sessions focus on helping pupils feel safe, settled and understood. There is no pressure to talk before they are ready.
We work in close liaison with your Designated Safeguarding Lead while maintaining appropriate confidentiality. Clinical records remain securely held by KST in line with GDPR and safeguarding legislation.
Connaught House School, where KST has been embedded since November 2025 under a formal service agreement.
Kensington Square, W8 · Connaught Square, W2
Sessions are weekly during term time in a private space provided by the school
Child-led and paced around developmental readiness, with no predetermined agendas
Focus on emotional wellbeing, confidence, relationships and coping with challenges
Written parental consent obtained before any counselling commences
Termly service reviews with the school, supporting oversight without breaching confidentiality
Clear transition support when pupils move on or leave the school
Strengthening the adults who carry the pastoral load
Pastoral and safeguarding staff hold significant emotional and professional responsibility. Our consultation services are designed to support the people who support pupils , offering a therapeutic lens, clarity in complex cases, and a consistent collaborative presence throughout the year.
Reflective case consultation
A professionally boundaried space to think carefully about complex pupil presentations, systemic dynamics, and emotionally challenging situations. Not evaluative supervision. Collaborative and practically grounded.
Staff wellbeing drop-in
Regular open drop-in sessions for any member of staff with concerns about a pupil’s wellbeing. KST counsellors are available to discuss presentations, offer psychological insight, and advise on appropriate referral or support pathways.
Liaison and strategic consultation
Close liaison with the Principal, SENCO and SLT regarding whole-school pastoral themes, individual case complexity, and the emotional environment of the school. Termly service reviews provided to support governance and oversight.
Parent consultations within the school context
Structured therapeutic consultations for parents, available as part of the embedded service or as a standalone provision. Psychologically informed, professionally boundaried, and designed to ensure coherence between home and school without compromising trust.
Rigorous. Transparent. Fully independent.
KST operates under a robust clinical governance framework maintained independently of the school. Every element of compliance, data protection, insurance and safeguarding oversight is carried by KST.
Professional indemnity & public liability cover (minimum £5,000,000)
Dual safeguarding: KST DSL working in conjunction with your school DSL
GDPR
Independent data controller status, encrypted records
Minimum clinical record retention or until age 25
Safeguarding concerns are reported immediately to both the school’s DSL and the KST DSL, with dual internal logging for governance, quality assurance and oversight. KST maintains regular DSL-to-DSL communication with each school throughout the year.
From first conversation to embedded partnership
Every school partnership begins with a conversation about your context, culture and current provision. KST does not offer a fixed template. We shape the model around what your school needs and what your community will benefit from most.
We understand the particularities of independent school culture. We respect ethos, operate within governance frameworks, and maintain the professional independence that good clinical work requires.
Initial conversation
We discuss your school’s pastoral context, current provision, and what you are looking for. No obligation. No template. A genuine conversation.
Service scoping
We agree the scope of provision: embedded counselling, 11+ groups, pastoral consultation, or a combination. Whether you are a Prep School, Upper School, or both, the model is shaped around your needs. We also agree the payment pathway at this stage: school-funded (hourly or fixed half-day/full-day fee) or parent-funded (parents pay KST directly per session). Both are currently in operation across different KST school partnerships. Start dates, session days and referral pathways are confirmed at this point.
Service agreement
A formal service agreement is signed by both parties. This covers safeguarding obligations, data protection, personnel requirements, and confidentiality boundaries. All documentation provided by KST.
Referral, consent and payment setup
Pupils may be referred by the school with parental consent, or parents may approach KST directly having been made aware of the service by school. In either case, written parental consent is obtained before any counselling begins. KST provides school-specific parent information guides and consent documentation. Where the parent-funded model is in use, KST manages payment setup directly with families. Where the school-funded model applies, this step covers session scheduling and family communication only.
Partnership begins
Counselling commences. Termly reviews keep the school informed at an appropriate level. The relationship develops as the school’s needs evolve.
If your school is looking for embedded therapeutic provision, we would be pleased to begin a conversation
All enquiries are handled personally by Sam McManus, Director of KST. We aim to respond within one working day.