SURVIVORSUK SESSIONAL SENIOR HELPLINER – JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsible to: Emotional Support Services Manager
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Respond to service users of SurvivorsUK national helpline - men who’ve experienced
sexual violation, their friends, family and professionals
Provide emotional support using web/SMS chat (live online chat with service users)
Signpost service users to alternative sources of information/support where appropriate
Input data for monitoring and complete relevant statistical forms
Take referrals for potential counselling clients
Assist the organisation with other work, such as research and development of helpline
materials and promotion of the service
Respond to client emails
Support helpline volunteers in their role and provide debrief at the end of shift
Support initial training and provide ongoing training for helpline volunteers
Take part in the overall monitoring and evaluation of the helpline service
To feedback any concerns raised by volunteers and take note of time keeping and
attendance of volunteers
Adhere to SurvivorsUK helpline policy, sessional workers’ policy and other relevant
policies
Attend mandatory monthly group clinical supervision
SURVIVORS UK SESSIONAL SENIOR HELPLINER - PERSON SPECIFICATION
QUALIFICATION/TRAINING
Essential
5GCSEs or equivalent (to include English)
Evidence of relevant further training and continuing professional development, for
example: counselling, providing emotional support, web chat/helpline work, working
with vulnerable adults and/or trauma.
Desirable
Training in counselling skills
Training in providing online counselling/online emotional support
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EXPERIENCE
Essential:
Minimum two year’s experience using counselling skills providing emotional support to
service users (face to face or helpline experience)
Experience and evidence of good listening and communication skills
Experience and understanding of working with people in trauma
Experience of working with people who have experienced sexual violation
Commitment to and belief in helpline work
Good administration skills including good written English
Confidence and ability to use basic computer software for typing and data entry
Ability to manage supporting people in distress whilst keeping personal and
organisational boundaries
To be aware and have an ability to manage own responses when working with people
who have been traumatised
Experience of supervision with ability and commitment to make use of this
Experience of supporting colleagues in ongoing development or training
Experience of working within a small organisation – able to work alone and in small
groups
Interest and commitment to continuing professional development
Desirable:
Experience of working in setting with clients such as mental health, drug and alcohol or
sexual health services
Experience of delivering training or mentoring
Experience of providing supervision
Experience of helpline work with clients who have experienced sexual violation