Specialist Bereavement Counsellor

Job summary

We are looking to recruit a skilled bereavement counsellor into our thriving team in Barnsley. The role will cover an area of Barnsley's schools, working alongside 2 other counsellor colleagues and the other services that Barnsley MHST and Specialist services have to offer. Compass Be Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) ensure Children and Young People (CYP) access the right help, at the right time, in the right setting, MHSTs and Specialist Teams will remove duplication and avoid CYP/families being bounced in between services.

Compass has a successful track record in early intervention health and wellbeing services for children and young people. We use a wide range of creative and dynamic methods of engagement, including digital interventions, across community and educational settings.

The role will work alongside our MHST low intensity CBT practitioners, Family practitioners, Wellbeing Practitioners, Healthy Peer Relationships Practitioners, and our specialist Mental health practitioners.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be an accredited counsellor (BACP or equivalent), and specialist training in bereavement at NVQ level 3 or above. We are looking for individuals who bring with them a wealth of experience supporting children, young people and families (minimum 2 years), delivering interventions relevant to each of the stages of grief on a 1:1 and group basis. We are interested in meeting candidates who have experience of supporting people with co-existing physical, mental and emotional conditions. The candidate will have motivation to work with colleagues to develop the service, in addition would want to do targeted workshops with children young people, their families, and professionals we work with such as school staff. You will work professionally, following processes such as completing comprehensive records of interventions. You will have excellent communications skills, written and verbal, be a team player and also self motivated. You will have good organisation skills, and work in a solution focused way. We are excited to invite applicants to the role joining our vibrant and innovative team in Barnsley.

About us

Compass is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and you should share our commitment. All Compass posts are subject to appropriate level DBS checks. We positively encourage applications from all members of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, gender reassignment, age or sexual orientation and encourage applications from people who have experiences in life which enrich skills and empathy. This is part of our commitment to equality and developing a truly inclusive and representative workforce. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, on commencement, or once in post.

Established for over 30 years, Compass is a national charity which works in communities across the UK providing services spanning substance misuse treatment and rehabilitation, early interventions for vulnerable young people, school aged health programmes and associated prevention as well as treatment and health promotion initiatives.

Benefits

We offer a benefits including:

27 days holiday + bank holidays, rising to 32 days over time Life assurance at 2 x basic salary Competitive contributory pension scheme Family-friendly policies 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and OH service Enhanced sick pay Excellent learning & development opportunities and career progression Annual performance / salary review

Closing date : Sunday 1 December 2024. 

Interview date : Wednesday 4 December 2024

Job description

Job responsibilities

We are looking to recruit a skilled bereavement counsellor into our thriving team in Barnsley. The role will cover an area of Barnsley's schools, working alongside 2 other counsellor colleagues and the other services that Barnsley MHST and Specialist services have to offer. Compass Be Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) ensure Children and Young People (CYP) access the right help, at the right time, in the right setting, MHSTs and Specialist Teams will remove duplication and avoid CYP/families being bounced in between services.

Compass has a successful track record in early intervention health and wellbeing services for children and young people. We use a wide range of creative and dynamic methods of engagement, including digital interventions, across community and educational settings.

The role will work alongside our MHST low intensity CBT practitioners, Family practitioners, Wellbeing Practitioners, Healthy Peer Relationships Practitioners, and our specialist Mental health practitioners. Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

An accredited counsellor (BACP or equivalent) Specialist training in bereavement at NVQ Level 3 or equivalent/above

Desirable

Relevant further or higher education qualification for example NVQ health and social care, youth work diploma, diploma in social work, relevant degree

Experience

Essential

Significant experience of delivering interventions relevant to each of the stages of grief on a 1:1 and group basis. Experience of supporting and monitoring progress of CYP, adjusting treatment plans to enable them to live fulfilling lives. Experience of facilitating sessions with family members and caregivers to better understand the stages of grief. Relevant experience of working with children, young people or families with emotional health and wellbeing needs. Experience of safety planning with children, young people and families. Experience of collaborating with education, health professionals and wider service areas to develop comprehensive recovery plans. Advocacy, offering guidance and mentoring support. Caseload management responsibilities.

Desirable

At least 2 years relevant post qualification experience working with CYPF. Experience of supporting people with co-existing physical, mental, and emotional conditions. Delivery of professional training and consultation. Working with vulnerable families. Involving children and young people and their families in design, delivery and development of services. Developing partnerships with key stakeholders such as Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Service, schools etc. Report writing: conducting data analysis and identifying trends, gaps and devising appropriate plans to address key issues

Additional Criteria

Essential

Understanding bereavement and loss in children, young people and adults. Exhibit exceptional insight into the psychology of loss. Understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the impact of trauma on child outcomes. Safeguarding Working Together Intercollegiate and safeguarding adults guidance and legislation. Developmental needs of children and young people, Confidentiality and consent. Fraser competency and mental capacity. Mental health and emotional wellbeing. Engaging in supervision. Evidence based practice . Equality and Diversity guidance and legislation. Data Protection guidance and legislation. Excellent communication skills: written and oral, to effectively engage with children, young people, families and other key stakeholders. Team player and a dynamic personality. Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision whilst accessing appropriate support when required. Multi-agency and partnership working. Good organisational skills including time management and planning workload. Ability to motivate and persuade others. Solution focused. Able to work under pressure able to manage changing priorities. Recognition and escalation of safeguarding concerns contributing to risk management. Competent in the use of management information systems. IT skills including the use of email, internet, Microsoft Office. Ability to analyse information and develop interventions in response to the needs of children, young people and families. Have an empathic, inclusive and person-centred approach. Flexible approach to working in different settings depending upon service and service users need. Ability to undertake the demands of the post with reasonable adjustments where required. Flexible work pattern as service requires, including some evening and weekends. Enhanced DBS check. Full UK driving licence and access to vehicle.

Desirable

The need for evidence and statistical data collection, and achieving targets. Innovative with a willingness to influence developments within the team.

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