Counsellor - Part Time - Temporary

Information

CrossReach Counselling is seeking to recruit an experienced counsellor to join our team as part of an exciting new community-based service.  ‘Back on Track’ is a partnership between CrossReach, Home Link Family Support, and Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre, with additional referral support from the locality Parent and Carer Development Officer.  Our mission is to provide holistic, therapeutic interventions on a longer-term basis for children, young people and their families.

 

You will be part of a supportive, multi-disciplinary therapy team, based in the heart of the community.  Your role as an adult counsellor will be to offer counselling to adult family members of children/young people living in the Gracemount and Liberton Catchment areas. 

You will be an experienced, qualified, counsellor who has the knowledge and understanding of how to offer effective support to parents related to their mental health and wellbeing needs.  You will have experience of working as part of a team and be willing to embrace the systemic ethos of the service.

In return, you can look forward to ongoing training and development - not only so you can do a great job, but to help you build your career with us too.

This work can be challenging as well as fulfilling.  As an organisation your wellbeing is important to us.  We have benefits package which includes a generous pension.

This post is for 1 year fixed term with possible extension for a further 2 years.

Working days to be discussed and agreed at interview, but must include a Tuesday.

Salary is pro rata of 38.5 hours per week.

If you would like to talk to someone about the types of opportunities we have, or have any other questions, please contact recruitment.team@crossreach.org.uk.

Main Function

1. To work as part of a team delivering counselling and therapeutic support to children, young people and their families.
2. To provide counselling under clinical supervision for an agreed caseload of clients.
3. To work with colleagues to constantly increase the effectiveness/quality of the service delivered.

Main Duties

SERVICE DELIVERY

1. Respond to referrals and enquiries received from potential clients, agencies and the general public.
2. Undertake initial assessments and offer counselling with regular reviews to an agreed caseload of clients in the community.
3. Undertake administrative tasks relating to client work including digital case note recording, telephone and written correspondence with clients, and completion of relevant forms.
4. Work to legislative, ethical, policy and procedural requirements including:
   • CrossReach policies and procedures (HR, Health and Safety and Operational)
   • Service specific policies and procedures
   • BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy
   • Other relevant policies and procedures to uphold best practice including child protection and vulnerable adults
5. Undertake relevant Continuing Professional Development, including child and adult protection.
6. Liaise with other voluntary, statutory workers and stakeholders as required.  Build and maintain knowledge of related services for clients.
7. Embrace monitoring and evaluation systems including client evaluation questionnaires.
8. Undertake other tasks as agreed through Performance Management System and/or requested by the Clinical Manager or Senior Counsellor.

SUPPORT AND SUPERVISION

1. Actively participate in line management supervision and Performance Management.
2. Make good use of individual clinical supervision (min 1.5 hours/month in line with BACP requirements) and group supervision where provided.
3. Attend and be involved in staff meetings.
4. Seek additional support and information from Clinical Manager as required.

GENERAL

To demonstrate and share Christian love and support including sharing with others the leading of worship in accordance with CrossReach policy and by ensuring all staff meetings are opened with prayer and Bible reading.

Qualifications

Essential:

• A recognised counselling qualification at Diploma level (sufficient for the candidate to be eligible for individual accreditation with BACP or COSCA).

Desirable:

• Further qualifications in Social Work, Health, Education, Art Therapy or similar.
• ACTO approved online counselling qualification or evidence that you meet the BACP online competencies.

Personal

Ability to manage own workload whilst demonstrating a supportive, cooperative, creative and effective approach to team working.

Personal resilience and an ability to know when your own issues are triggered by therapeutic work/work situations and take necessary action to resolve/work constructively with such issues.

To be able to work with empathy, genuineness and acceptance.

As we do our work in Christ’s name the job you have applied for requires you to have a Christian faith and be able to work within and uphold our Christian Ethos (this is an ongoing occupational requirement under the Equality Act 2010).

This post requires you to either complete a Disclosure or be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme and undertake the necessary vetting checks.

Skills and Abilities

Essential:

• A strong ability to engage and form therapeutic relationships.
• Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to the client group inc:
  • Trauma
  • ACEs
  • Mental Health
  • Other generic and specialist counselling themes
• Ability to use supervision and supports effectively.
• IT skills – including email, internet, Microsoft word.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.

Desirable:

• 200 hours post qualifying counselling experience under clinical supervision.
• Previous experience of working in the Social Work, Health, Education or Voluntary Sector.
• Knowledge of related services for clients.
• Individual accreditation with BACP or COSCA.