ASSOCIATE COUNSELLOR PLACEMENTS 2015/16
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING SERVICE
Introduction
The University of Cambridge is made up of 31 Colleges and 150 Departments, Faculties,
Schools and other institutions, plus a central administration. The University has more than
18,000 students and nearly 9,000 staff.
The University Counselling Service offers two types of placements. We offer placements for
those currently in advanced training, and we also take recently qualified
counsellors/therapists who are seeking further experience and/or working towards
professional accreditation.
The UCS has two distinct teams: the Student Counselling Service and a Staff Counselling
Service. Applicants should give consideration to which part of the Service they might prefer
to work in, and indicate this on the application form.
General Information
In 2013/14 the University Counselling Service (UCS) saw 1592 students (or College staff)
and 498 members of University staff. The Head of Service oversees the work of both teams,
but the Staff Service sits within the Occupational Health and Safety Service. The counselling
team is multi-disciplinary, with a range of training backgrounds and experience. No single
therapeutic approach is used within the Service. Theoretical orientations include
psychodynamic, relational, cognitive-analytic, cognitive-behavioural, and integrative, as well
as others.
An Office Manager, reception team, part-time financial administrator and computer officer
support the Service’s therapeutic work. There is also a consultant psychiatrist available to the
Student Service, who offers consultations one day per week during term time.
The Service is normally open from 8.45 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Thursdays (5.00 pm on
Fridays), and until 7.30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Service closes briefly during
Christmas, but operates as usual during all school half-term breaks. The Service also remains
open during the two May Bank holidays.
Most of the counselling on offer in both the Staff and Student Services is brief. The average
number of appointments per total student clients in 2013/14 was 5.0; for staff clients the
comparable figure was 5.5. There remains some opportunity, however, for longer-term
therapeutic work. In addition to individual counselling, the UCS offers training, workshops,
outreach activities, and a group work programme. The Service also produces a range of staff
and student leaflets, and our website has many online links to self-help resources. More
information about these areas of work can be found on the UCS website at
www.counselling.cam.ac.uk .
Student Counselling Service
The Student Counselling Service is available to all undergraduate and graduate students of
the University. It currently consists of a Head of Service, two Senior Counsellors, a Senior
Mental Health Advisor, a part-time mental health advisor, and ten counsellors (most working
part-time or in term-time only). In 2013/14, 8.5% of Cambridge students used the Service, of
whom a significant proportion were graduate students.
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Most of the work consists of brief counselling or focal therapy, using a variety of approaches.
Cognitive- behavioural therapy is offered within the Student Service and represents about a
quarter of the work undertaken.
The Student Service has a waiting list at peak periods (October – May), when demand for
appointments usually exceeds supply. The majority of students request counselling by
completing an online pre-counselling form. These forms are processed daily by an Intake
Team, who pre-screen the forms and then allocate clients to available counsellors, including
the associate counsellors.
This year we were able to offer six placements within the Student Service. Depending on
available office space and who might return for a second year, we hope to have one or two
vacancies for new associates in 2015/16. Associates who work in the Student Service are
encouraged to offer evening sessions, but there is flexibility if evening working would prove
difficult due to personal circumstances.
The Staff Counselling Service
The Staff Counselling Service is available to all employees of the University for help with
work-related or personal problems. It is part of the Occupational Health and Safety Service,
but shares premises with the Student Service. There is one full-time Head of Staff
Counselling and four half-time counsellors.
Brief time-limited counselling, of usually 8-10 sessions is offered, with occasional longerterm work. Waiting times vary throughout the year but are currently about eight weeks,
depending on demand and a client’s availability to attend.
The Staff Service enjoys good referral and consultation systems with other staff support
services in the University.
In 2015/16 two placements will become available within the Staff Counselling Service for
individuals interested in counselling adults in a workplace context. Associates working in this
service are expected to offer early evening sessions on either Tuesday or Thursday, and
another session earlier in the day. However, there is flexibility if evening working would
prove difficult for particular personal circumstances.
The Staff Service does not work to term dates, so placements in this section generally cover
more weeks of the year to ensure continuity for clients. Leave is negotiated with the Head of
Staff Counselling.
What we offer Associates
Associate positions are unpaid, but provide the following:

A nine-month (or longer) placement, which may be extended to a second year at the
discretion of the supervisor and Senior staff team. This also applies to post-qualified
associates who are working towards professional accreditation.

Weekly individual supervision on site by experienced supervisors (or fortnightly
supervision, for more experienced and/or second year associates)

A professional setting and comfortable office accommodation
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
Access to a three/four clients per week, with professional indemnity insurance
provided by UCS

Two associates’ meetings per term (numbers permitting) and the option to join a
Wednesday morning clinical discussion group

The opportunity to attend designated UCS team meetings and in-service training
events
What Associates offer us

A means of keeping in touch with current trends in training and other therapeutic
work settings

An increase in our capacity to offer staff and students a professional service

New energy and ideas
Induction
There is a compulsory Induction session for all new associates on Wednesday, 23rd
September, from 10.00- 1.00 pm. The Training Placement Coordinator meets with all
associates on this day, prior to the beginning of client work, to provide a general introduction
to the Service and the placement. An optional lunch is provided after the induction, when
associates can meet other members of the UCS counselling team.
Supervision and meetings
First year associates are required to attend weekly supervision on site (time and place to be
arranged with supervisor). Associates’ meetings take place twice a term, subject to sufficient
numbers, and all are encouraged to attend. Associates meetings and clinical discussion groups
currently take place on Wednesday mornings.
Timing of placement
Associates are expected to be available to see clients from late September/October until the
end of June as a minimum commitment.
Interaction with the Training Course
If progress reports are required by the training organisation, these are normally written by the
supervisor, in discussion with the associate. The Training Placement Coordinator is happy to
contact course leaders before the placement begins, if needed, to clarify expectations.
Post description
Title of post:
Department:
Associate Counsellor (unpaid)
Cambridge University Counselling Service
Main Aims and Responsibilities
To contribute to a confidential, professional counselling service which aims to enable
Cambridge University students and staff to realise their personal and academic potential
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Specific Responsibilities

To offer individual counselling / therapy (brief and longer-term), to staff or students
for a wide range of problems, concerns, dilemmas, and personal issues

Once established in the placement, to offer three/four client sessions per week from
the beginning of October to the end of June (except for closure periods), unless
otherwise arranged. Associates in the Staff Service will usually be expected to offer
an early evening session.

To attend individual weekly supervision on site in the first year, provided by an
appointed supervisor from the UCS staff team

To attend fortnightly individual supervision in the second year, or as appropriate for
experienced post-qualified associates

To keep records and notes in accordance with UCS policy and procedures, and in
accordance with any legal requirements

To maintain client and Service confidentiality at all times

To abide by UCS policies and procedures and work in accordance with the BACP
Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy
Holidays
Placements in the Student Service require associates to be available during the three
designated UCS Core periods (ie approximately 3 x 11 weeks). Requests for time off during
Core periods may only be taken by arrangement with the supervisor and the Training
Placement Coordinator. There are no half-term breaks within either service.
Person Specification
Essential (for all short-listed candidates)

Currently on the second year of a recognised counselling/psychotherapy diploma or
degree course (or equivalent) unless there is evidence of significant prior experience
and training;

OR
Qualified counsellor or therapist, but accruing post-training hours for BACP/UKCP
accreditation, or similar professional registration

AND
Previous experience of providing supervised counselling/therapy (or comparable
practice) to clients in an organisational or agency setting;

Demonstrable ability to work as part of a large team;

A commitment to upholding ethical practice and professional standards
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Desirable

Experience of providing brief or focal counselling/therapy

Pastoral, advisory or welfare experience with young people and/or in organisational
settings

Availability to work evening(s) on Tuesday or Thursday
To apply
Please note that all applicants, except those accruing post-qualification hours, must be
in the second year of their training and have previous supervised placement experience.
This experience is defined as counselling or therapeutic work with clients who are not peers
or course colleagues. All offers of a placement will be subject to satisfactory references, and
will require a Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure certificate.
Please complete our application form, along with an accompanying cover letter, a copy of
your current CV, and the names of two referees, and send it to:
Sue Geeson, Office Manager
(re: Training Placement application)
University of Cambridge Counselling Service
2-3 Benet Place, Lensfield Road.
Cambridge CB2 1EL
Tel: 01223 332865 email: counsellingreception@admin.cam.ac.uk
Closing date for all applications: 12 June
Interviews for short-listed candidates: 29 June, 30 June and 1 July
Compulsory induction: Wednesday, 23 September 10-1.00 pm
Lisa Halpern,
Senior Counsellor and Training Placement Coordinator
April 2015
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