Senior Counsellor - Part Time

Information

Are you looking for a rewarding career that gives you flexibility and a real sense of a job well done?  Working within a supportive team providing support across the city for families affected by drug and alcohol use could be for you.  At Sunflower Gardens we recognise that every child and young person is different and our multi-disciplinary team offers a range of services through a family outreach service, individual counselling and art therapy and Group work for children affected by parental alcohol use.
 
As a Senior Counsellor, together with the Clinical Manager, you will be responsible for maintaining and developing counselling, therapy and support service a oversee the day to day management of the service.
 
What do I need?  A qualification at Diploma level in Counselling/Art Therapy and ideally a qualification in Training and Clinical Supervision.  To do this role you will also need to be a strong self motivator and be able to work to a broad remit where priorities can change on a daily basis.  You will also be required to register with a professional body for example the SSSC.

Salary is pro rata of 38.5 hours per week.

The days to be worked per week are to be confirmed but will include a Wednesday.

Main Function

Working within CrossReach Counselling Services, you will work as part of a holistic team to deliver a service that ensures that the needs of our young clients are fully met. You will be expected to assist in the development of a high quality counselling, therapy and support service for families affected by parental substance use, working to the highest professional standards of COSCA, BACP or BAA.

You will promote a Therapeutic Environment and ensure that our services reflect CrossReach's Christian ethos and mission statement.

Main Duties

1. Hold specific responsibilities for the day-to-day operation of the service and to hold clinical responsibility in relation to referral assessment and allocation of clients.
2. Manage the clinical aspects of the client waiting list and referrals to the service. To take a lead role in assessing new referrals into the service, conducting initial assessments and allocating clients to counselling staff and volunteers, and to hold a small client caseload.
3. Contribute to developing policies and procedures and work within the policies procedures and guidelines set down by CrossReach including human resources policies, health and safety guidelines, and child protection guidelines.
4. Participate in recruitment, selection, induction and training of a multi-disciplinary team including volunteer counsellors, supervisors, therapists, and fundraising volunteers. Co-ordinate PVG Disclosure applications and act as counter-signatory.
5. Provide clinical and management supervision for staff and volunteers as appropriate and liaise with other professionals around safeguarding issues for adults and children.
6. Contribute to the development & delivery of training and personal growth opportunities for volunteers within the service.

7. Assist the service manager to raise awareness, promote training and service provision of our therapy provision for adults and children & young people.
8. Together with the service manager, monitor standards required to maintain COSCA Service Recognition and work within the ethical framework laid down by COSCA and BACP/BAAT.
9. Liaise with relevant professional, statutory and voluntary organisations as required.
10. Any other duties as requested by the Counselling Manager.
11. 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: Diploma in Counselling/Art Therapy/Play Therapy

Desirable: Qualification in Training and Clinical Supervision, Qualification in Counselling Children and Young People

Personal

The post holder must have the ability to be a strong self motivator and be able to work to a broad remit, where changing priorities can be a daily occurrence.

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 Occupational Requirement under Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010.

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

Skills and Abilities

Essential:

• Significant post qualifying practice hours.
• Experience in counselling children and young people.
• Experience in clinical supervision.
• Good communication and team working skills.
• Basic computer literacy skills including use of Microsoft Office and the internet.

Desirable:

• Experience in delivering training, and managing staff and volunteers.
• Experience of working with families affected by substance use and being able to work across a multi disciplinary team.