Counsellor Band 5

Job responsibilities

Client Group Description:

The Neuro Therapy Centre provides community services to adults aged 18 years and over who have a neurological condition, as well as providing services for their Carers.

Job Summary

Working in a variety of situations providing counselling to NTC members and their Carers. The post holder will be working with a wide range of personal problems which may arise through disability and caring, such as domestic issues, relationship, health and welfare, bereavement, and others.

Counsellors help people to overcome their problems and cope with tough situations by providing a safe, confidential, and encouraging environment in which to contemplate their emotional state, offering clients support in a structured and focused way of addressing their problems.

The NTC Band 5 counsellor will work as part of a team which is responsible for supporting and counselling NTC members as well as referring them to other organisations where necessary. NTC counsellors are also required to maintain records, track progress and communicate with other members of the NTC team on a regular basis.

General Objectives

Responsible to the Senior counsellor for:

• Delivery of Counselling services both at the Centre, virtually and at Outreach sites as required.
• Liaising with other HCPCs and agencies as appropriate to ensure optimum level of physical function and mental well-being, both within the Centre and other community settings as necessary and maintain BACP/NCPS standards.
• Act as partof a multi-skilled team, to assess and treat own workload of memberswho may have a complex presentation and maintain associated records as an autonomous practitioner.
• Work with Senior Counsellor to develop counselling services in line with a holistic approach to treatment and with due consideration to the views of the membership to provide recommendations for service improvement.

Main Tasks & Responsibilities

Objective 1: Delivery of Counselling services both at the Centre and at outreach sites:

To provide a specialist counselling service to NTC members on site and off site.

Focus on improving the mental health and emotional wellbeing of members, addressing the challenges those with a condition and Carers face following a diagnosis.

Undertake assessments and interventions for NTC members and their Carers.

To provide support, guidance, interpretation and knowledge to members and their Carers to develop behaviour management, emotional and psychological well-being and support strategies.

To focus on giving vulnerable individuals opportunities to talk openly at difficult life stages, aiming to promote resilience, reduce isolation and avoid crisis.

Support the Talking Spaces programme which includes: Listening Programme, Death Café, bereavement support, and condition specific groups and provide support to the NTC listening service volunteers through skills acquisition and supervision

Assist in the delivery of "Coping for Carers" Programme on site for NTC members and off site for NEWCIS.

Planning and providing personalised support to cope with loss of loved ones and providing support for specific groups facing challenges.

To work systematically with other NTC staff members as well as relevant organisations across health and social care.

To engage with members and their Carers to promote a flexible working relationship.

To support, where appropriate, the work of other staff working with members and their Carers through consultation and supervision.

Objective 2: Liaising with other HCPCs and agencies as appropriate to ensure optimum level ofphysical function and mental well-being, both within the Centre and other community settings as necessary and maintain BACP/NCPS standards:

To work closely with senior/Band 6 counsellor to provide a holistic approach to counselling

To liaise with Social Services, NHS, Child Protection, Local Police Authorities, GPs, Professional Bodies or any other relevant bodies where necessary.

To adhere to NTC clinical guidelines, code of ethics, policies, procedures and stated aims / core purpose with particular regard to safeguard vulnerable adults.

Work within BACP/NCPS Code of Practice and have a working knowledge of national and local standards monitoring own quality of practice as appropriate.

To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through continuing professional development activities and record this in a portfolio, and always work to the professional standards of the BACP.

Support member participation in NTC research opportunities

Objective 3: Act as part of a multi-skilled team, to assess and treat own workload of members whomay have a complex presentation

Required to attend regular multi-disciplinary meetings with other colleagues.

To attend team meetings and staff meetings.

To maintain open and straightforward communication with colleagues, managers, and other staff members.

To positively engage with care provision and NTC policies and processes.

Counsellors will have additional responsibilities in respect of ensuring own safety and work as an autonomous practitioner.

Agree training and CPD with Senior Counsellor

To produce assessments and other reports as required for each setting.

Maintain proper records and provide statistical returns as required.

Involved in monitoring and evaluation of the counselling service within NTC.

Maintain expenses and other organisational records as required.

Maintain confidentiality for and with service users.

Objective 4: Develop counselling services in line with a holistic approach to treatment and with due consideration to the views of the membership to provide recommendations for service improvement,

• To contribute to the ongoing development of counselling service at NTC.
• To contribute to the additional income generation by identifying new projects in response to service users consultation.
• Developing and presenting workshops alone or with others associates as part of the educational work of NTC.
• Presenting new ideas for service development, liaise with the line manager and fundraising team to contribute to the finances of the centre and income generation.
• Actively contribute to the safeguarding of NTC members and adhere to the safeguarding P&P.

Organisational Skills

Work with Senior Counsellor to achieve the effective daily management of a caseload of complex members.

To provide an efficient and effective service and to be involved in the development of the service.

To maintain and provide accurate and timely statistical information as required.

To ensure that all accidents and complaints are reported immediately and documented accurately.

To ensure that, as the individual practitioner, the post holder advises the Senior/Band6 counsellor of any changes to the service to ensure quality and effectiveness of care for members.

Undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices, through the use of evidence-based practice projects, audit and outcome measures.

To keep abreast in understanding and knowledge of all new developments applicable.

To ensure timely and effective communication with the Senior Counsellor on all professional matters.

To comply with organisational Policies and Procedures.

Relevant Information About The Role

Needs to be a team player with customer service skills and to be sensitive to the needs and aspirations of the members and volunteers using the Centre.

Is a key member of the Centres Operational Team [staff, volunteers and therapists] and stands in for other staff in their absence.

Reports to the Senior Counsellor

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Member of BACP/NCPS or equivalent.
• Eligible for BACP (or equivalent) accreditation.
• Professional Insurance
• Diploma in counselling/psychotherapy Post qualification training.
• Evidence of counselling Post qualification.
• Experience in delivery of 1-1 and group therapy face to face via telephone and online conference calls.

Desirable

• BACP (or equivalent) Accreditation
• Masters in counselling/psychotherapy

Experience

Essential

• Experience of interest in working with a variety of common mental health issues.
• Experience of working with clients with long term neurological conditions and their carers.

Desirable

• Ability to work within various modalities such as CBT, and mindfulness

Skills & attributes

Essential

• Effective team player.
• Well organised with good administration skills. Empathy/engagement skills with client group.
• Ability to cope with workload pressure/prioritise workload.
• Ability to work independently
• Self-awareness and emotional resilience.
• Ability to manage additional projects alongside clinical work within a demanding environment.
• Ability to communicate and disseminate information and data in a range of ways including report writing, presentations, workshops and training.
• Ability to influence, mentor and support team members.
• Ability to prioritise own work load.
• Ability to work a part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to utilise counselling supervision effectively.
• Self-motivated to achieve personal and professional development.
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptable.
• Exemplary personal standards of conduct and behaviour.
• Motivated and able to inspire confidence and enthusiasm of others.

Desirable

• IT/ word processing skills with the ability to work with a wide range of IT
• systems.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).