Counsellor

Contract Type: Part-time (22.5 hours, 3 days per week)

Location:  Stockton-on-Tees, Durham International Study Centre

Salary:  up to £43,000

As well as exceptional academic modules and individualised tutor time, students at the International Study Centre are provided with a dedicated Student Support Team and access to counselling support. Working closely with the Safeguarding and Student Support Team, the postholder will play a pivotal role in the provision of essential support and guidance to our students, to help improve and maintain their mental and emotional wellbeing. This is a unique role for a suitably qualified counsellor to provide specialist support to students at the ISC.
The post holder will help in identifying and responding to trends and key themes throughout the academic year and will autonomously manage the triage and case management of a caseload of students, supported by clinical supervision. They will offer time-limited individual and group interventions for students and will consult with wider ISC staff and NHS professionals as appropriate.

ABOUT THE ROLE Be a recognised professional practitioner with a current membership of a relevant body (BACP, UKCP, BPS or HCPC). Autonomously manage a caseload of student clients, offering online and in-person therapeutic consultations (single sessions), ongoing counselling sessions and flexible follow-up and support arrangements. Provide specialist expertise and support: monitor and manage the student referral questionnaire, triage incoming referrals, conduct assessments of support needs and risk of students accessing the service; offer brief focused individual counselling to students within the guidelines and policies of the service; and consult with ISC colleagues and external agencies as and when necessary. To act as a source of support, advice and expertise for all staff. Design and deliver therapeutic, psychoeducational and peer support groups and workshops. To prepare and deliver counselling information sessions as part of new student induction, ensuring visibility and accessibility of the counselling service. Develop, modify and optimise service protocols and methodologies to enhance the delivery of stakeholder services, identifying areas for improvement and implementing changes to enhance the design and development of service processes, techniques and deliverables. Collect and analyse student and stakeholder feedback to help define needs and requirements to improve the design, planning and delivery of services. Produce and analyse statistical service metrics, including quarterly and annual qualitative and quantitative monitoring reports, to identify successful delivery and areas for future improvement, and make recommendations for continual service improvement. Maintain accurate and timely records of support and ongoing actions appropriately, ensuring that all records comply with data protection legislation. To lead counselling services within the centre and feed into the senior leadership team by providing statistics, and reports and attending meetings. Conduct all work within relevant legislation, professional codes of conduct, and ISC policies and procedures, and keep abreast of current research in student support interventions. To assist with the planning and implementation of an annual schedule of wellbeing events and promotional activities, to actively engage students in the promotion of health and wellbeing. Contribute to the development of operational service activities to ensure excellence in the student experience. Contribute to the development of operational and strategic centre action plans and service-level agreements. Participate in communities of practice and partnership working internally and externally, including wider ISC meetings, partnership meetings with the University, attendance at Continuing Professional Development events, and individual supervision. Work closely with the Student Support Team to identify and support students with additional needs due to health / SEND. To monitor students attending counselling sessions, working with the Student Support Team to support and address concerns with any students that fail to attend counselling sessions.  To feed into the ISC safeguarding team, providing information specific to students who are receiving counselling and escalating concerns as required. Responsible for escalating concerns to the Safeguarding team and helping with implementing support mechanisms, including assisting when referring cases to the local authority, police, crisis teams, Prevent or Channel programme is required. Ensure that all students are safeguarded according to the Child Protection Policy, Safeguarding Policy and associated wellbeing policies. ABOUT YOU A counselling or psychological therapy qualification to Bachelor's or Master's degree level (or equivalent) (Essential). Current accreditation or registration with a recognised professional body ie BACP, UKCP, BABCP or equivalent (Essential). Level 2 Safeguarding (Essential) and Level 3 qualification (Desirable) Practitioner with experience and expertise in delivering time-limited individual and group interventions (Essential) Experience working with adolescents aged 17 years of age and knowledge of all safeguarding requirements (Essential) Experience in mental health risk and crisis management (Essential) Knowledge and experience in ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines (Essential) Experience in implementing policy and procedures and ability to contribute to planning at operational level (Essential) Experience working with diversity, including individuals with Protected Characteristics (Desirable) Experience working with international clients and cultural awareness of the issues brought on by young international students (Desirable) Experience in offering individual and group interventions in a higher education or similar context (Desirable) ABOUT US

Study Group is a leading international education provider that is dedicated and passionate about helping students around the world, creating a brighter future and reaching their full potential. With university partnerships and a variety of face-to-face, online, and hybrid study programmes, we can provide students with the resources and guidance they need to succeed. Our global network of offices and university partnerships ensure that students receive the best educational services available. Additionally, our Insendi platform enables us to deliver innovative, accessible, and intuitive digital learning experiences with the most advanced digital tools available.

ORGANISATIONAL COMPLIANCE

Study Group is proud of its high standards in safeguarding and recognises its importance in enabling the best possible student experience and outcomes. For successful applicants the following checks will be conducted- Criminal Background Check (country-specific), x2 References, ID and Right to Work checks as well as Education Verification.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of race, gender, religion, nationality, or any other factor. We believe that the best person for the job should be selected based on skills and experience alone. Your information will be kept confidential and stored securely.

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