Counsellor

Post Title: Counsellor

**Salary**: £30,095 to £31,895 pro rata

Hours of work: 22 hours 30 minutes to be worked over 3 days

Responsible to: Clinical Lead

**Job Context**:
The aim of the role of Counsellor is to provide some assessment and ongoing counselling to clients referred to the service. You will be working closely within a small clinical team consisting of the Clinical Lead and Counselling Team Support Officer to ensure the counselling service runs smoothly, ethically, and professionally. The role also involves contributing to the wider development of the Charity and at the core of achieving this is a commitment to clear communication, working transparently, being supportive and respectful of each other. Further developments to the counselling service are anticipated and with this, new aspects to this role are likely to be proposed.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**:
1. Carry out comprehensive assessments by telephone, face to face or online with service users requesting support from SYCS.

2. Assessing risk to ensure appropriate strategies are deployed either through services within the Charity or by a referral to statutory services.

3. Promoting the various services that SYCS offers with a view to engaging them in the most appropriate form of support within SYCS or via other provision within the wider community.

4. Counselling clients face to face, online and over the telephone.

5. Work with the Clinical Lead and Counselling Team Support Officer to match client with counsellor.

6. Monitoring of the waiting list.

8. Maintain paperwork associated with casework.

9. Use systems provided by SYCS as instructed by the Clinical Lead.

10. Actively and enthusiastically contribute to the development of the services offered by SYCS.

11. Work in partnership with staff members of the Charity.

12. Manage your own diary.

13. Attendance at Charity Staff meetings as well as Counselling Team meetings.

14. Assist the Clinical Lead as and when required.

15. Performing a range of administrative duties to assist the Charity in meeting its objectives.

16. Actively promote the positive and consistent message of the Charity and to represent the Charity as required.

17. The core hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 9am to 5pm. Tuesday 9am to 7:30pm with 30 minutes lunch break each day. There may be times when the demands of the Charity require some flexibility in the hours worked. Prior notice of any change to contracted hours would be given.

18. Any other duties, which may be undertaken to ensure the efficient operation of the Charity. Other duties required will be commensurate with those listed above and appropriate to the title and grade of the post.

**Responsibility for Resources**:
1. The post holder will be required to ensure that any data systems and record keeping such as case notes that are under their control are kept secure and properly managed in accordance with the Charity’s GDPR and Confidentiality policies.

2. Counselling notes are kept in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework of which the Charity is an Organisational member.

**Working Conditions and Environment**:
1. The post is situated within Helen Webb House. However, you may be required to work from other sites and places as required by the Charity where your professional attendance is required.

2. The post holder may be required on occasion to work outside normal working hours to attend meetings or charity events when your professional attendance is required.

**Additional Requirements**:
1. Have a minimum of eighteen months experience volunteering/working therapeutically in the cancer field or a related field.

2. Counsellors must be registered with a professional body such as the BACP, NCS or UKCP.

3. Qualified to at least Level 4 in Counselling & Psychotherapy.

4. Experience of counselling adults.

5. Excellent written communication.

6. Currently residing in the UK.

7. Must be able to pass an enhanced DBS.

8. Ensure the equality of opportunity for all people, in service provision and in employment, and to work in a non-discriminatory manner and in accordance with the Charity’s Equal Opportunities Statement prevailing from time to time.

9. Comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998, the Computer Misuse Act 1990, Human Rights Act 1998 the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Equality Act 2010 or any amendment or any statutory re-enactment thereof at all times.

10. To take all necessary steps in order to ensure that information acquired through their employment or contained within the Charity is kept confidential and secure.

11. Carry out all duties outlined above in accordance with all the Charity policies and procedures.

This job description is a record as set out at the date below. Any changes to the job description will be carried out in consultation with the post holder, who will be expected to participate fully in such discussions.

It is the Charity’s aim to reach a mutual ag