Senior Counsellor - Two Posts

Key Responsibilities:

• Will work closely with the Service Manager to ensure that all counsellors in their team provide high-quality care and support to clients.
• Implement relevant support mechanisms and services for facility users.
• In partnership with care team staff, develop and deliver individual client support plans.
• Liaise with the Service Manager to develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure the smooth operation of the counselling facility.
• Assist the Service Manager to ensure that services fully meet professional regulation, organisational and governance standards.
• Ensure that all counsellors are appropriately trained and supported, and that they adhere to best practice guidelines and ethical standards.
• Assist the Service Manager in the development and maintenance of relationships with key stakeholders, other healthcare professionals, and community organisations.
• Support the Service Manager in maintaining a network of referral agencies.
• Support the Service Manager in the organisation of professional outreach services at key locations.
• Awareness of the performance of the counselling service, assisting with the identification of areas for improvement and help to implement changes as needed.
• Self-Audit to ensure adequately trained to maintain their practice through regular updates and supervision.
• Contribute to the vision, strategic and operational plans and policies for identified services and ensure they are communicated to all staff for whom the post holder has responsibility.

• Monitor area of responsibility with a regular analysis of data to ensure informed decision making and identification of risk.
• Promote, develop and facilitate a learning culture within the areas of responsibility.
• Maintain good morale amongst the staff under their leadership through effective feedback, positive relationships and effective role modelling.
• Attend weekly Care Team Management meetings to ensure that case load support plans and service issues are dealt with in a timely manner.
• Weekly review of categorisation of high/medium/low risk assessments.            
• To provide counselling service provision to an agreed caseload.
• Provide on call telephone support to counselling staff on a rota basis from Monday to Friday (9.00pm – 9.00am).

Training

• Liaise with Universities and Stakeholders for supervision to support students and volunteers.
• Actively participate in events to promote awareness of suicide and self-harm.
• Ensure the induction training of all new staff and volunteers.
• Actively participate in events to promote awareness of suicide and self-harm.

Governance and Practices

• Ensure the optimal use of comprehensive confidential case recording system in line with BACP requirements and data protection legislation.
• Report on quality assurance standards for service delivery.

Representation and Lobbying

• Represent the organisation at appropriate meetings, forums and networks in the absence of the Service Manager.
• Assist in the planning and preparation of meetings, attending when required and reporting when necessary.
• Promoting the success of PIPS model to other organisations.
• Support the Service Manager and Executive Director with funding provider meetings.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

Qualifications

• A qualified and accredited practitioner with a minimum level 4 qualification in counselling.

Professional Accreditation

• Must be an active participant in a professional body such as, BACP, BABCP, IACP or NCPS.

Experience

• A deep understanding of counselling best practices and ethical guidelines.
• Experience working in a counselling facility, with a track record of delivering high-quality care and support to clients.
• Ability to plan, manage, monitor and self-motivate and to build good working relationships with individuals and organisations.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Personal enthusiasm and a realistically positive attitude.
• Capacity for innovation and problem solving.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and appropriate boundaries in all matters related to their work.
• Flexible attitude towards working hours to meet clients’ needs and as demanded by requirements of the job.

To apply for this role, you must have a full driving licence and access to a motor vehicle or have access to a means of transport.