Peer Support Counsellor

**Peer Support Services Counsellor**

**Registered £33,970 or Accredited £34,913 pro-rata**

**22.5 - 37.5 hours per week**

**To be worked in person at our premises Monday-Friday, including 1-2 evening shifts per week and some Saturdays (depending on hours worked). The exact days and times are to be agreed upon following the interview.**

Nottinghamshire Sexual Violence Support Services is the leading specialist sexual abuse charity, for over 40 years we have been passionately committed to supporting all adults living in Nottingham or Nottinghamshire, who have experienced sexual abuse, we listen, believe and support. We offer a single point of contact for survivors of sexual violence of any kind whether the abuse took place in childhood or adult life. We provide free services including counselling, group therapy, Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) services, telephone helpline, online and face to face services.

Our services are funded by and created in partnership with local commissioning groups and co-designed with survivors, so that we support in ways that are safe and easy to access. We understand the needs of different survivors including age, gender, or whether a person is BAME or LGBT+. We have a wide range of support options and can refer into other services as needed.

**Why work for us**

We are a well-respected, professional organisation that seeks continuous improvement. You will work alongside a supportive team.

**The Vacancy**

We are looking for Peer Support Counsellor to implement, coordinate and participate in the provision of Peer Support Service within Nottinghamshire Sexual Violence Support Services and to deliver dedicated and specialised therapeutic support via face to face, online and telephone support. This is an opportunity to support the development of a new service funded by the Big Lottery Community Fund. We work in a person centred, CBT and EMDR way offering short
- and long-term counselling to empower, heal and recover from the trauma of sexual violence.

**Location**

This post is based in the City Centre of Nottingham.

**Salary**

NJC Scale Point:
£33,970 (pro-rata) - registered counsellor

£34,913 (pro-rata) - accredited counsellor

**Benefits**
- 22 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays (entitlement increases with the length of service)
- Sick Leave entitlement (increases with the length of service)
- Birthday Leave
- Childcare/Dependant’s Leave
- Bereavement Leave
- Pension Scheme
- Employees Assistance Programme
- Professional Training and Development
- Team Building and well-being days

**Hours of work**

22.5 - 37.5 hours per week. To be worked in person at our premises Monday-Friday, including 1-2 evening shifts per week and some Saturdays (depending on hours worked). The exact days and times are to be agreed upon following the interview.

**Job purpose**

To implement, coordinate and participate in the provision of Peer Support Service. To deliver a high-quality counselling service to survivors of sexual violence (aged 18+) which is safe, ethical and effective and supports key outcomes.

**Responsibilities**
- Promote service user leadership, ensuring that service users influence the development of the peer support service to enrich people’s journey towards recovery and life fulfilment
- Manage and deliver Peer Support Groups
- Support the recruitment, induction, and supervision of Peer Supporter Volunteers
- Encourage Peer Supporter Volunteers and service users to meaningfully and actively participate in the development and implementation of the Peer Support Service
- Managing a caseload of clients and providing short
- long term counselling sessions
- To undertake rigorous clinical assessments and identify and action needs/risks and safeguarding matters appropriately and in a timely manner
- To formulate, plan and monitor effective support plans with clients
- Liaise effectively with key personnel and colleagues to contribute to the safe and productive day to day running of the counselling service

**Essential experience, qualifications, and skills**:

- Degree in Counselling
- BACP/UKCP accredited or registered
- Experience of delivering Peer Support / Group Sessions/ Survivor Engagement
- Experience of coordinating/working with volunteers
- Experience of conducting Risk Assessments
- Have in-depth knowledge of issues affecting people who have experienced sexual violence, both recent and non-recent
- Experience of delivering a wide range of therapeutic approaches to mental health problems and experience of routine outcome monitoring & ability to meet agreed specified service targets.
- Excellent IT and interpersonal skills

Ideally applicants must have a valid Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Level 3 Certificate prior to starting this role.

**CLOSING DATE**: Monday 2nd December 2024

**INTERVIEW DATE**: Monday 9th & Tuesday 10th December 2024

**Job Types**: Part-time, Fixed term contract

Pay: £33,970.00-£34,913.00 per year

**Benef