Crisis Counsellor

**Job Title**:Crisis Counsellor (2 year fixed term contract)

**Hours**: Part-time, 12 hrs per week (hours of work to be agreed).

**Location**: Lighthouse, 187 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GF

**Salary**: NJC Scale 6: £27,344 - £29,439 per annum (pro-rata)

**Responsible To**: Services Lead

**Annual Leave**: 28 days per annum plus statutory days (pro-rata)

**Background**:
Lighthouse was formed in 2003 as a community response to a community problem - the exceptionally high incidence of suicide in North Belfast. Since its inception the organisation has grown and developed in line with the needs of its clients and the changing community landscape it serves.

Lighthouse’s core purpose is ‘to save lives, offer advice and support to those affected by suicide and self-harm’. It has worked hard to dissolve the stigma associated with suicide and poor mental health, through designing a portfolio of early interventions, counselling services, information and resources for families, carers and individuals dealing with impact of suicidal thoughts and bereavement by suicide.

As we emerge from Covid-19 restrictions and deal with the impact on service delivery, demand, and new ways of working, we are delighted to grow our team with new counsellor roles.

**Job Purpose**:
Our Counsellors work with a diverse client group who present with a wide range of presenting issues, including those in crisis. Working with the Counselling Services Lead, they act as a first point of contact for clients referred from a variety of sources and provide appropriate interventions from the outset. They undertake assessments, counselling and provide support to this client base, as well as administrative duties associated with the same.

**Main Duties**:
**Therapeutic Service Delivery**

To assess the needs of clients referred to Lighthouse and respond to their immediate needs, by providing appropriate crisis assessment, follow up support and arrangement of access to therapeutic interventions,

a. Risk assessment and de-escalation.

b. One-to-one counselling through a variety of mediums, including face to face, telephone or webcam.

c. Short-term interim follow-up support.

2. Liaising closely with professional/third party referrers in ensuring suitability of client’s referred, and in determining appropriate services. This includes informing referrers and other appropriate health care professionals involved of risk issues, outcome of assessments and services for which the client is referred.

3. Signposting and/or referring clients to appropriate agencies for support, where appropriate.

4. Management of appointments diary, keep up-to-date clinical notes, administer CORE outcome measures and inform referrers and other appropriate health care professionals involved, when clients are discharged from the service.

5. Participation in weekly team case reviews, and regular reflective practice. Accessing support and consultation for clinical issues relating to child protection and areas of risk behaviour or concerns, utilising line management and peer support systems for effective information sharing, mutual accountability and quality assurance.

**Other Duties**:
**Service Quality**

1. To attend clinical supervision once a month in accordance with policy and procedures.

2. Be familiar with and comply with Health and Safety procedures and policy. In the event of a serious risk, take immediate action to reduce this risk, informing Lighthouse Safeguarding Officer.

3. Comply with legislative frameworks relevant to the work.

4. Ensure adherence to the Ethical Framework for good practice in counselling.

5. Achieve the highest standards of safeguarding for families, children, young people and vulnerable adults, who come into contact with our services.

6. Maintain and ensure secure storage of records in accordance with Lighthouse professional and confidentiality procedures.

7. To work in line with current child safeguarding requirements and policies, in accordance with current NI legislation.

8. To work in line with BACP good practice guidelines.

9. To liaise with other organisations in the voluntary, statutory and community sectors, in the promotion of the service, and to ensure that the services we offer are targeting those most in need.

10. To participate in events, meetings, conferences, and training, as required by the organisation or line manager.

11. Facilitate the creation of a relaxed and friendly environment which will maintain and enhance the quality of care to each client and maximise their opportunities for choice.

12. Develop and maintain effective communication links with statutory, community and other voluntary organisations.

13. Be responsible for both personal and professional attitude and behaviour when interacting with fellow colleagues and service users.

14. Observe and carry out health and safety procedures in respect of oneself, colleagues and the public.

15. Participate in staff, team and project meeting