Counsellor/Psychotherapist

Job responsibilities

Main Tasks:

• To deliver therapeutic interventions to children and young people, working independently which may at times mean some travel and lone working.

• To provide counselling to young people.

• To develop alternatives to one-to-one therapeutic work i.e., group work.

• To facilitate peer support interventions with and for children and young people.

• To maintain confidential case notes and records in a timely manner ensuring that they are stored securely using the specified case management systems.

• To develop links to other agencies and services and have a good understanding of local services for signposting and onward referrals

• To positively manage risk and recognise and pro-actively respond to child protection and safeguarding issues.

Communication

• Be able to communicate and engage with children and young people appropriate to individual needs.

• Ensure young people feel listened to, feel in control and are respected.

• Be a team player

WORKING PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS

Ethical Practice

Employed therapists are required to abide by the Ethical Framework for Good Practise in Counselling and Psychotherapy (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) or equivalent.

Professional Membership and Registration

It is required that employed practitioners maintain active membership with a national organisation that represents the field of psychological therapy and people who work as counsellors and therapists, such AFT, BACP, BPS, BABCP or HCPC or UKCP. Employed practitioners will ideally pursue accreditation or registration with one of these bodies; and will complete annual continuing professional development and associated procedures required to maintain accreditation and/or registration. All costs associated with professional memberships, subscriptions, conferences, continuing education etc., are borne by the practitioner.

Liability Insurance

Employed practitioners are covered against malpractice liability by ABL insurance.

Supervision

Employed clinical practitioners are required to attend supervision at the minimum frequency of 1.5 hours per FTE per month, with an appropriately qualified professional approved by ABL. This time is included in the contract.

Qualifications

Essential

• 1 years post qualification counselling /psychotherapy experience.
• Professional registration with recognised National Body (e.g. BACP/UKCP, HCPC).

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Experience in managing a caseload.
• Ability to assess and manage risks.
• Ability to recognise and respond to concerns about child protection and safeguarding.
• Ability to make use of supervision.
• Up to date knowledge of CYP emotional wellbeing / early mental health clinical evidence-based practice and support for parents/carers.

Desirable

• Experience in eth CLA sector.
• Experience in quality improvement measures.
• Experience in pathway development.
• Experience in delivering training and workshops to CYP and parents / carers.
• Experience in delivering training to professionals.
• Experience in running peer support groups.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication skills including listening, verbal and written.
• Ability to communicate with CYP of different ages, developmental level and backgrounds.
• Excellent telephone manner.
• Ability to prioritise work tasks.
• Ability to work under high pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Understanding and evidence of adhering to information governance and data protection policies.
• Efficient problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interact with colleagues and other stakeholders politely and courteously.
• Excellent IT skills and proficient in all areas of Microsoft Office & running remote meetings.
• Experience with reporting in client database packages.
• Excellent customer care.
• Evidence of accuracy and paying attention to detail in tasks.
• Punctuality, reliability and honesty.
• Ability to use own initiative and confident to do so in the workplace.

Desirable

• Local knowledge of services and need.

Job Specific Requirements

Essential

• Work flexibly and adapt to suit service need.
• Willing to travel.
• Enhanced DBS check.

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).