Non-iapt Counsellor

**North Staffs Mind has an exciting opportunity for you to join our Adult Non-IAPT Counselling team We have a full time post available on a 1 year contract for the role of Non-IAPT Counsellor.**

**Benefits**
- **5 weeks annual leave per annum (pro rata)**
- **Gifted the days between Christmas Day and New Year plus your birthday as additional annual leave**
- **Flexible approach to working**
- **Discounted gym membership**
- **5% contributory pension scheme**

**About Us**

We may be a bit biased, but we think North Staffs Mind is a wonderful place to work We are a local charity supporting local people but can offer the support and opportunities that come with being part of the national Mind federation.

We have been delivering a range of services for adults, children, and young people in North Staffordshire for over 45 years. We pride ourselves on our relaxed and friendly atmosphere and our commitment to delivering high quality, client focused, respected, professional services.

We have an ambitious People Plan that focuses on our values of being **Open, Together, Responsive, Independent and Unstoppable**.

**About the Service**

The post holder will work as part of the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Wellbeing Service teams, alongside the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Service and will provide a quality counselling service for clients who do not meet the criteria for IAPT services.

Our Non-IAPT Counsellors work in both North and South Staffordshire, supporting people who have a range of emotional problems who can benefit from counselling in primary care. This post is based in Stoke-on-Trent, with remote work from home as well.

The service operates in a challenging and ever-changing environment, and this is an opportunity for you to make a real difference to the people in our communities.

**About You**

We are looking for a fully qualified Counsellor with a real passion for supporting adults experiencing mental health issues. You will work with our Non-IAPT Coordinator and the wider team to coordinate and deliver a quality adult counselling service, both remote and face to face, to the people of Staffordshire.

You should have experience of one-to-one counselling, an understanding of mental health issues, be willing to work flexibly and have an enthusiastic approach to delivering the service.

You should be committed to working with the team in order to achieve the best possible outcome for every person you work with.

**The Details**

In return we offer a varied and rewarding role in a people-focused organisation that strives to improve the mental health and wellbeing of our local communities.

**You will be based in an outreach venue in Stoke-on-Trent and work remotely from home.**
- **Hours: 37 per week, Monday to Friday (to include 1 evening)**:

- **Salary: £22,768 - £26,639 gross per annum (dependent on experience) APRIL PAY AWARD PENDING**:

- **Report to: Non-IAPT Coordinator**

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**:
**Clinical**:

- Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service
- Provide 1:1 counselling, both face to face and remote
- To assess referred client’s suitability for Non-IAPT counselling, develop agreed plans along with the client to provide appropriate support including accessing SilverCloud or short-term therapy.
- Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the department’s referral protocols and liaise with senior clinicians in the IAPT service to identify suitability for IAPT; Non-IAPT or other relevant services, and allocate clients as necessary.
- To implement and evaluate a contracted/agreed number of counselling sessions with clients, based on appropriate conceptual framework of the client’s problems and drawing upon evidence-based practice.
- Adhere to an agreed contract relating to the number of client contacts offered and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment remains accessible and convenient.
- Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment where appropriate.
- Complete all standard requirements relating to data collection within the service.
- Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols, using IAPTUS
- Work closely with team members ensuring appropriate allocation and handover arrangements are in place to maintain an effective integrated team approach.
- Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process, liaising with employment advisors where available.
- Assist with clinical audits of service performance, including service user surveys and evaluations and help to collate and disseminate results for feedback.
- Work flexibly to provide the best service possible to clients - this will involve working at least one evening session per week.

**Training and Supervision**:

- To assist in the professional and clinical supervision of trainee and volunteer