Iapt Counsellor

We are looking for an experienced and Passionate IAPT Counsellor to work as part of our Prions and Criminal Justice Service at HMP Northumberland.

Imagine being part of an organisation whose common purpose is to help those who are severely impacted by mental illness. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity - and that’s why equity is one of our core values. We draw on the expertise, unique perspectives and lived experience of our people - regardless of who they are or their background - to help us become inclusive and anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider that reflect the diverse communities we support as a mental health charity.

Rethink Mental Illness work alongside Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) to deliver an integrated stepped care mental health service within HMP Northumberland and the wider North East Prison Estate, e.g. HMP Durham, HMP Frankland, HMPYOI Low Newton, HMP Holme House, HMP Kirklevington Grange and HMYOI Deerbolt.

The team compromises a range of highly skilled professionals who work collaboratively to provide the highest quality of care for those with mental health needs within the prison and for Rethink Mental Illness employees, this is carried out between 0800 - 1600 Monday to Friday.

**How you will make a difference**
- I accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service. I make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to referral protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary; or steps-up the persons treatment to high intensity.
- Assess and support people with mental health problems.
- I undertake person-centred interviews identifying areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery, identifying goals for counselling.
- Conduct accurate assessments of risk to self and others.
- Provide assessment for step 2 counselling interventions.
- Formulate, implement, and evaluate counselling therapy programmes and care packages for clients.
- Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment.
- Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.
- I ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times.
- I record and evaluate 'outcome measures' as part of the ongoing therapy process (GAD-7/PHQ-9)
- I ensure the accurate entry of clinical data onto agreed systems, maintaining the highest standards of clinical record keeping.
- To work in partnership with other disciplines and to maintain links with statutory and non-statutory agencies as appropriate, in relation to continuing care on release from prison.

More information can be found in the job description attached to our direct advert.

**What we are looking for**

**We are looking for an individual who**:

- Successfully completed a diploma in Counselling (therapeutic) or equivalent that allows access to training programmes and accreditation with a regulating body, e.g., BACP.
- Post-qualification experience in offering and delivering counselling in IAPT setting.
- Evidence of working within a stepped care service with people who have experienced a mental health problem delivering and demonstrating recovery outcomes.
- Knowledge of assessment procedures, screening, referral, record-keeping, and evidence-based brief psychological interventions.
- Demonstrates an understanding use of IAPT counselling and how this relates to this post.
- I have the ability to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients and practice in a non-discriminatory manner, respecting the beliefs and cultural practices of individuals and groups.
- I operate at all times from an inclusive values base which promotes recovery and recognises and respects diversity.

Please see further details on our Website

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**Don’t** meet all requirements?**

If the role sounds exciting to you but your experience, skills or qualifications don’t exactly match every single requirement, we would still encourage you to apply, you may be just the right person for our position

**Caring for our people.**

We offer a wide range of support. Some of our benefits include:

- ** PULSE - our recognition, rewards, wellbeing, and benefits platform. **Providing access to thousands of discounts and benefits including cashback; reloadable cards; savings etc. As well as being able to thank colleagues and nominate them for awards.
- ** Wellbeing support**: our Wellbeing hub gives physical, emotional, and mental health support. We also have a BUPA Employee Assistance Programme with access to appointments.
- ** Taking time for you**: we work flexibly -you get to choose where you work, managing your own diary. We have generous annual leave, starting at 25 rising to 30 days, plus bank