Counsellor

Hours per Week - 8.00 - 16.00

CrossReach Counselling is recruiting a Counsellor with experience of working with children and young people to join our highly regarded Sunflower Garden team. With multiple opportunities across the service, both in a school and community setting - we're looking for qualified counsellors to enhance our service.

You already know the incredible power of trauma- informed approach to therapeutic care. Every day in our counselling services across Scotland, we see and value how these skills can transform people’s lives. And that’s why we value professionals like you.

You’ll be part of a close-knit group providing face to face counselling to children and young people in Edinburgh. This role offers the right candidate an outstanding opportunity to focus on what really matters – the clients. It’s a role for a professional, qualified counsellor with excellent communication skills and specialist experience required to work with Children and young people.

At CrossReach, even though we’re one of Scotland’s largest voluntary social care charities – with a 1,600-strong team working across 60 services around the country – we genuinely value the individual. For our clients or services users, that means being treated with respect and care, regardless of the circumstances. For professionals like you, it means being part of a genuinely caring environment where you can contribute ideas, have your needs recognised and help shape your role around your ambitions.

In exchange, as well as a competitive salary, you’ll have a generous pension, health benefits, paid holiday and a range of retail and leisure discounts. In addition, we offer flexible working patterns where possible, access to clinical supervision and a programme of specialist therapeutic training.

So, if you’re looking for a supportive career, we’re looking for you.

Salary is pro rata of 38.5 hours per week (8.00 - 16.00). This is a temporary post until April 2023.

Days and hours to be agreed with the successful candidates. Counsellors start on the 3rd point of the salary scale - £27,358 pro-rata.

If you would like to talk to someone about the types of opportunities we have, or have any other questions, please contact recruitment.team@crossreach.org.uk.

Main Function

Working within CrossReach Counselling Services, you will work as part of a holistic team to deliver a service that ensures that the needs of our clients are fully met. You will be expected to assist in the development of a high quality counselling, therapy and support service, work to the highest professional standards and ensure that the aims and objectives of CrossReach Counselling Services are met.

You will promote a therapeutic environment and ensure that our services reflect CrossReach's Christian ethos and mission statement.

Main Duties

1. Provide therapeutic counselling to clients using an appropriate and recognised theoretical model.
2. Hold professional clinical responsibility of own case load from initial referral to end of therapy and evaluation.
3. Maintain accurate therapeutic records using CrossReach Counselling approved systems and processes.
4. Liaise effectively with your Clinical and Business Support team.
5. Attend and effectively contribute to both clinical and management supervision.
6. Maintain CrossReach standards and be compliant with the relevant legislative, ethical policy and procedural requirements, especially in relation to Child and Adult Safeguarding and Protection and Data Protection legislation.
7. Liaise with other professionals around safeguarding issues for adults and children.
8. Together with the service manager, maintain and monitor standards required for COSCA Service Recognition and work within the professional ethical frameworks laid down by eg COSCA and BACP/BAAT etc.
9. Commit to Continuing Professional Development, including reading up-to-date literature and research on relevant therapeutic and related topics in line with professional body requirements.
10. Support continuous improvement to meet service objectives, by reflecting on challenges, sharing successful outcomes and learning that has taken place.
11. Maintain own PSA/HPC registration.
12. As we do our work in Christ’s name you must be respectful of our Christian Ethos and be able to work within it. You do not need to share our faith.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Diploma in Counselling or other relevant qualification eg Art Therapy
• PSA/HPC registered

Desirable:

• ACTO approved online counselling qualification or evidence that you meet the BACP online competencies
• If working with CYP - A recognised qualification in CYP Counselling or evidence that you meet the BACP/COSCA CYP competencies

Personal

As we do our work in Christ’s name you must be respectful of our Christian Ethos and be able to work within it.

This post requires you to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme and undertake the necessary vetting checks.

Skills and Abilities

Essential:

• Significant post qualifying practice hours
• If applying for one of our specialist service, eg Substance Use, Perinatal or CYP, any specialist training/experience required according to the needs of the client group
• Excellent communication and team working skills
• Computer literacy skills including use of Microsoft Office and the Internet
• Ability to use supervision and supports effectively. Have a strong awareness of own emotions, with responsibility for and commitment to ensuring own self–care
• Ability to manage own workload

Desirable:

• Previous experience of working in the Social Work, Health, Education or Voluntary Sector
• Experience in working with staff and volunteers
• Experience of being able to work across a multi-disciplinary team