Children and Young Person's Counsellor

Job responsibilities

Are you:

An experienced mental health practitioner used to a fast-paced environment

Experienced in working with children and young people across early intervention / mental health settings and experienced in engaging the whole family

Experienced in providing guided self-help and short-term counselling interventions

Positive and proactive to achieve the highest standards and outcomes in engagement with children, young people, their parent/carers, and professionals.

Committed to ensuring that young people are able to access mental health support at the earliest opportunity.

Confident and comfortable in communicating with CYP (Children and Young Peoples) as well as their parents/carers and health professionals

Open, respectful, committed to equality and diversity, promoting CYP advocacy and co-production.

Do you have a passion for improving the lives of children and young people?

Do you thrive in being part of a mutually supportive team where practitioner wellbeing and development is a priority?

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.

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 in line with the BACP ethical guidelines, with an appropriately qualified professional approved by ABL. This time is included in the contract. Virtual monthly peer supervision is facilitated with additional safeguarding supervision as required.

Qualifications

Essential

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

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of development in CYP, family development and of transitions.
• 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 coordinating volunteers.
• 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.

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).