Job summary
Change Grow Live are a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference to our Service Users lives, offering support and respect in a safe environment, treating each user as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and care options.
Our core values are Be open, be compassionate and be bold and our team members apply these daily to achieve our mission of helping people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential.
We are looking for a passionate and dedicated Counselling Coordinator to be part of an established service developing and delivering counselling interventions. A key part of this role is recruiting and supporting volunteer and student counsellors as part of our community substance misuse provision, ensuring that psychological perspectives are central to everyones thinking.
You will support the empowerment of teams and individuals to increase knowledge, skills, and professional confidence around the needs of the people who access our services. Through consultancy, reflective practice, training, and clinical case management, you will help the wider team create an innovative and effective trauma-informed service.
Where: Tower Hamlets
Allowances: £4,072.06 Inner London Weighting
Hours: 22.5 per week (Part-Time)
Salary: £34,700.09 - £36,635.38 Based on Full Time Salary, Pro rata for Part-Time) Dependent on Experience.
Main duties of the job
Counselling forms an integral part treatment and recovery service. You will be responsible for co-ordinating the counselling service and ensuring that counselling interventions are delivered to the highest standards.
Managing a team of qualified and trainee student counsellors, you will be responsible for their recruitment and training and will oversee all therapeutic work undertaken by this team.
We work to support people experiencing difficulties associated with a range of challenges, most frequently including drug and alcohol use. We want to support the promotion of physical, psychological, and emotional safety and help people to regain a sense of control and empowerment in their lives.
The post-holder will be a BACP or UKCP registered member or have other relevant professional membership (see full criteria below). A clinical supervisor qualification is required.
The post-holder will have knowledge of MI, and therapeutic modalities such as CBT, integrative and person-centred therapy are all welcomed.
The post-holder will review all referrals and complete all assessments to determine suitability for counselling, make all allocations and have the capacity to deliver counselling as part of their role.
You will engage with clinical supervision as per BACP/UKCP ethical framework. You will be expected to take responsibility for personal development, identifying personal training needs and participate in regular supervision and appraisal.
About us
Believe in people
At Change Grow Live, above all else we believe in people. It's the one thing that acts as a foundation for all our work.
If you use our services: we understand what you're going through. We won't judge. We believe you can make positive changes in your life.
If you work or volunteer for us: we believe in your potential. We believe you can do brilliant, life-changing work.
Our mission and vision
Our mission is to help people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential.
The vision we're working towards is to develop, deliver and share a whole person approach that changes society.
We believe that having diverse people working as part of our team makes us the organisation that we are.
We actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds to help us to provide the best possible experience for the people who use our services and to make Change Grow Live a great place to work.
The safety of vulnerable children, young people and adults is our absolute priority. We will support you in your role to make sure that you are equipped to support the safety of people who use our services and those around them, to the highest standard possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Lead on a rolling cycle of recruitment and training of volunteer counsellors and counselling students, and ensure that all counsellors and students meet agreed minimum criteria and work to ethical and professional standards.
- Ensure that all counselling students and volunteer counsellors are provided with a high-quality package of induction, training, clinical supervision, ongoing support and appraisal to enable them to carry out their role effectively within the service. The post holder will also be expected to complete course-related paperwork and reports.
- Work with line managers to support and develop the Counselling Service.
- Promote the value and efficacy of counselling volunteering across the partnership and externally.
- Identify new opportunities for counselling volunteering roles within the service and the organisation.
- Ensure that counselling students and volunteers are working in line with CGL policies and procedures, with a particular focus on safeguarding, case management and information security.
- Recruit and select suitable student volunteer counsellors and maintain good links with Universities and Colleges and other learning centres. Counselling Internal working CPD - 1 day per month Direct/Indirect Clinical Delivery - 15 hours per week
- Develop and maintain effective referral pathways to the Counselling Service and any onward referrals.
- Undertake assessment and screening of service user suitability, counselling needs and commitment to therapy.
- Oversee the implementation and development of the counselling model within the service, including the management of the counselling waiting list and adherence to the CGL organisational counselling guidelines.
- Ensure that all counsellors have the appropriate type and amount of clinical supervision. If the post holder has the appropriate training, oversee the provision of clinical group and/or 1-1 supervision for the counselling team and ensure that clinical and practice issues are appropriately addressed.
- Manage the resources of the Counselling Service and ensure that provision is adequate and suited to demand.
- Proactively explore opportunities for increasing access and improving outcomes from counselling through innovation, service improvement initiatives and partnership working.
- Evaluate and monitor the counselling service to ensure outcomes are met.
- Provide evidence (through record keeping) of all hours accrued by students or qualified counsellors in the be independently verified.
- Providing one-to-one counselling sessions to beneficiaries as needed, including people with complex or specialist needs.
- Record and support the recording of contacts via the use of CRIIS or relevant local case management system. Training & Clinical Supervision
- Ensure that appropriate clinical supervision is provided for the counselling team in line with BACP/UKCP professional guidelines.
- Participate actively in managerial supervision and attend clinical supervision and complete continuing professional development (CPD) in line with the guidelines and ethical framework of your relevant professional body (e.g., BACP/UKCP). Ensuring that arrangements are maintained and evidenced.
- Where appropriate, contribute to supporting leadership team to facilitate reflective practice on a monthly basis with the broader CGL workforce.
- Work flexibly within an agreed number of hours of work to maintain the most appropriate level of service provision.
- Seek to improve personal performance, contribution, knowledge, and skills.
- Participate in and deliver as necessary appraisal, training, and supervision processes.
- Keep abreast of developments in services, legislation, and practice.
- Ensure the implementation of all Change Grow Live policies.
- Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment.
- Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of the post.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Lead on a rolling cycle of recruitment and training of volunteer counsellors and counselling students, and ensure that all counsellors and students meet agreed minimum criteria and work to ethical and professional standards.
- Ensure that all counselling students and volunteer counsellors are provided with a high-quality package of induction, training, clinical supervision, ongoing support and appraisal to enable them to carry out their role effectively within the service. The post holder will also be expected to complete course-related paperwork and reports.
- Work with line managers to support and develop the Counselling Service.
- Promote the value and efficacy of counselling volunteering across the partnership and externally.
- Identify new opportunities for counselling volunteering roles within the service and the organisation.
- Ensure that counselling students and volunteers are working in line with CGL policies and procedures, with a particular focus on safeguarding, case management and information security.
- Recruit and select suitable student volunteer counsellors and maintain good links with Universities and Colleges and other learning centres. Counselling Internal working CPD - 1 day per month Direct/Indirect Clinical Delivery - 15 hours per week
- Develop and maintain effective referral pathways to the Counselling Service and any onward referrals.
- Undertake assessment and screening of service user suitability, counselling needs and commitment to therapy.
- Oversee the implementation and development of the counselling model within the service, including the management of the counselling waiting list and adherence to the CGL organisational counselling guidelines.
- Ensure that all counsellors have the appropriate type and amount of clinical supervision. If the post holder has the appropriate training, oversee the provision of clinical group and/or 1-1 supervision for the counselling team and ensure that clinical and practice issues are appropriately addressed.
- Manage the resources of the Counselling Service and ensure that provision is adequate and suited to demand.
- Proactively explore opportunities for increasing access and improving outcomes from counselling through innovation, service improvement initiatives and partnership working.
- Evaluate and monitor the counselling service to ensure outcomes are met.
- Provide evidence (through record keeping) of all hours accrued by students or qualified counsellors in the be independently verified.
- Providing one-to-one counselling sessions to beneficiaries as needed, including people with complex or specialist needs.
- Record and support the recording of contacts via the use of CRIIS or relevant local case management system. Training & Clinical Supervision
- Ensure that appropriate clinical supervision is provided for the counselling team in line with BACP/UKCP professional guidelines.
- Participate actively in managerial supervision and attend clinical supervision and complete continuing professional development (CPD) in line with the guidelines and ethical framework of your relevant professional body (e.g., BACP/UKCP). Ensuring that arrangements are maintained and evidenced.
- Where appropriate, contribute to supporting leadership team to facilitate reflective practice on a monthly basis with the broader CGL workforce.
- Work flexibly within an agreed number of hours of work to maintain the most appropriate level of service provision.
- Seek to improve personal performance, contribution, knowledge, and skills.
- Participate in and deliver as necessary appraisal, training, and supervision processes.
- Keep abreast of developments in services, legislation, and practice.
- Ensure the implementation of all Change Grow Live policies.
- Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment.
- Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of the post.
Person Specification
Leadership
Essential
- Proven leadership skills.
- Experience of teaching, training, and/or clinical supervision of staff, such as counselling students/volunteers
Desirable
- Experience of the professional management counsellors, inclusive of delivering/supervising reflective practice sessions
Qualifications
Essential
- Hold a level 4 (or above) counselling/psychotherapy qualification that included at least 60% face-to-face tuition hours.
- Hold current membership at the stated level with at least one of the below:
- *BACP registered member
- *UKCP registration
- *COSCA practitioner member
- *NCPS Accredited Registrant
- *BPC registrant as a counsellor/psychotherapist
Desirable
- Hold current membership at the stated level with at least one of the below:
- * BACP accreditation
- *NCPS senior accreditation
- *COSCA Practitioner member
- UKCP registration or BPC registrant as a counsellor/psychotherapist also meet this criterion
- A level 5 or above qualification in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision or equivalent.
- The course would be expected to include at least 60 tutor contact hours and meet the BACP Counselling Supervision Training Curriculum (Supervision competence framework and training curriculum (bacp.co.uk)
Experience
Essential
- Have at least 3 years counselling experience with 200 supervised client counselling hours following graduation from the level 4 qualification
- An understanding of the issues facing individuals affected by substance use, including carers, friends and family members.
- Have at least 3 years counselling experience with 200 supervised client counselling hours following graduation from the level 4 qualification
- Experience of risk assessment and risk management procedures.
- Experience of working within a multi-agency framework and the ability to build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a service for alcohol and substance use
- Experience of undertaking assessments, screening and care co-ordination with people who use substances.
- Experience of recruiting, supervising and developing volunteers.
- Knowledge of local services and geography.
- Experience of recruitment processes and procedures.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Interest and commitment to working with people using substances and alcohol.
- An excellent knowledge of a wide range of therapeutic approaches including CBT, TA, and Person-Centred approaches.
- Demonstrable IT skills and an understanding of the need to maintain accurate records in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR).
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries with professionals, colleagues and service users at all times.
- Skilled in the training of counselling students and volunteers to support people utilising a variety of interventions.
- Ability to make good use of clinical supervision.
- Ability to communicate confidently and effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Skilled in supporting colleagues and managers to ensure that service aims are met and to respond to unanticipated challenges that may impact upon service delivery.
- Ability to work as a member of a team and contribute to team goals.
- Show a capacity to work alone and the ability to keep calm under pressure.
- Employ a mature, empathetic and non-judgmental attitude.
- Show commitment to facilitating positive outcomes for people through continuous service improvement.
- Gather and analyse information to enable evaluation of activity and inform service development.
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Ability to travel as required within the county/borough.
Person Specification
Leadership
Essential
- Proven leadership skills.
- Experience of teaching, training, and/or clinical supervision of staff, such as counselling students/volunteers
Desirable
- Experience of the professional management counsellors, inclusive of delivering/supervising reflective practice sessions
Qualifications
Essential
- Hold a level 4 (or above) counselling/psychotherapy qualification that included at least 60% face-to-face tuition hours.
- Hold current membership at the stated level with at least one of the below:
- *BACP registered member
- *UKCP registration
- *COSCA practitioner member
- *NCPS Accredited Registrant
- *BPC registrant as a counsellor/psychotherapist
Desirable
- Hold current membership at the stated level with at least one of the below:
- * BACP accreditation
- *NCPS senior accreditation
- *COSCA Practitioner member
- UKCP registration or BPC registrant as a counsellor/psychotherapist also meet this criterion
- A level 5 or above qualification in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision or equivalent.
- The course would be expected to include at least 60 tutor contact hours and meet the BACP Counselling Supervision Training Curriculum (Supervision competence framework and training curriculum (bacp.co.uk)
Experience
Essential
- Have at least 3 years counselling experience with 200 supervised client counselling hours following graduation from the level 4 qualification
- An understanding of the issues facing individuals affected by substance use, including carers, friends and family members.
- Have at least 3 years counselling experience with 200 supervised client counselling hours following graduation from the level 4 qualification
- Experience of risk assessment and risk management procedures.
- Experience of working within a multi-agency framework and the ability to build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a service for alcohol and substance use
- Experience of undertaking assessments, screening and care co-ordination with people who use substances.
- Experience of recruiting, supervising and developing volunteers.
- Knowledge of local services and geography.
- Experience of recruitment processes and procedures.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Interest and commitment to working with people using substances and alcohol.
- An excellent knowledge of a wide range of therapeutic approaches including CBT, TA, and Person-Centred approaches.
- Demonstrable IT skills and an understanding of the need to maintain accurate records in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR).
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries with professionals, colleagues and service users at all times.
- Skilled in the training of counselling students and volunteers to support people utilising a variety of interventions.
- Ability to make good use of clinical supervision.
- Ability to communicate confidently and effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Skilled in supporting colleagues and managers to ensure that service aims are met and to respond to unanticipated challenges that may impact upon service delivery.
- Ability to work as a member of a team and contribute to team goals.
- Show a capacity to work alone and the ability to keep calm under pressure.
- Employ a mature, empathetic and non-judgmental attitude.
- Show commitment to facilitating positive outcomes for people through continuous service improvement.
- Gather and analyse information to enable evaluation of activity and inform service development.
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Ability to travel as required within the county/borough.
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).
Additional information
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).
