Counselling Psychologist
Job description
Job Title:
Location:
Salary:
Hours:
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Closing Date:
Counselling Psychologist
Recovery Central, 9 Allcock Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4DY
£34,800 per annum pro-rata
Part Time - 22.5 hours/week (3days)
Business Development Manager
27th November 2015
Main purpose of post
To provide effective and integrated counselling and psychological services to clients at Changes UK, by delivering;
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clinical assessment, counselling, psychological therapies and other related forms of assistance to clients
consultations for staff , parents, funding bodies and other external agencies
To provide training, guidance and support to staff on matters concerning client mental and emotional well-being.
Active involvement in service development and in improving policies and practices within Changes UK.
Main responsibilities and duties:
1. Provide expert short-term counselling / psychological therapy to clients and staff presenting to the service, both
individually and in groups.
2. Provide drop-in service for clients and staff.
3. Provide professional clinical assessments and make appropriate decisions regarding the potential course of
action for clients and staff
4. Supervise and mentor trainees from professional training programmes.
5. In collaboration with the Head of Service and other colleagues, contribute to the development of strategies,
policies and practices, which ensure a healthier learning and working environment for clients and staff.
6. Be responsible for providing an informed opinion and/or verifying clients’ mitigating circumstances to academic
colleagues and external funding bodies in accordance with the organisation and funding agencies regulations
and service Code of Confidentiality and Management of Personal Information.
7. Review and evaluate client work through clinical and management supervision in order to ensure competence,
fitness to practice and to comply with professional standards.
8. To take responsibility for specific areas of service development and delivery in consultation with the Business
Development Manager and Service and Care Manager.
9. To participate in the training and development of staff involved in support and guidance.
10. To work within the ethical framework of BACP and follow BACP guidelines for good practice. Additionally, to
adhere to the specific ethical framework of HCPC.
11. Pursue continued professional development opportunities and actively participate in professional associations in
order to maintain accreditation and also ensure increased knowledge base, self-awareness and enhanced skills.
12. To maintain appropriate electronic and written records on clients, including session notes and records of contact
with other relevant parties.
Job Features
Responsibility
1. While accountable to the Business Development Manager, the post holder holds full professional responsibility
for ensuring ethical practice and best standards in casework (individual and group work) and also in the delivery
of all other related services to clients, family members and staff of Changes UK.
2. Full responsibility for relevant aspects of casework administration and also cooperative participation in regular
management and clinical supervision.
3. Along with other members of the team, assist the Business Development Manager in setting and advancing the
strategic direction for the service.
Planning and Organising
To plan and organise a large workload encompassing the various aspects of the job effectively and efficiently and
meet specified deadlines for particular projects.
Decision Making
Responsible for prioritising all aspects of the workload, and for making clinical judgements and decisions regarding
the most appropriate support or treatment options to recommend or offer.
Internal/External Relationships
1. To provide professional clinical assessment, counselling and other related support to clients; consultation to
academic staff, colleagues from the other support services and parents.
2. Collaborate with other organisations and services in furthering development work within Changes UK.
3. Referral to and liaison with GP’s, CMHT’s, local authorities, funding bodies and other relevant internal and
external sources of help.
4. Active membership of professional associations.
Problem Solving
To be responsible for the decision-making encompassed within a large and varied workload and to do so in
accordance within professional standards and Changes UK policies.
The remit of the role extends beyond individual interventions with clients and staff and includes the provision of:
 Family consultation work (usually carried out by telephone)
 Client and staff induction talks
 Group work with clients
 Staff training (academic and other support services’ staff) to enhance their understanding and skills in
student mental health and wellbeing
 Supervision and mentoring of trainees from professional training courses
 Liaising with and developing collaborative projects with colleagues from other support services.
(Skills and experience in these areas are therefore an advantage)
Annual leave to be agreed with the Business Development Manager and other members of staff to ensure continuity
of cover for the service. Annual leave is generally taken out of semester times.
Person Specification
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
1. Doctorate in Counselling Psychology
2. To be registered with HCPC
3. To be accredited / registered by BPS/BACP/BABCP/UKCP or equivalent or eligible for such accreditation.
Desirable
1. Training in supervision
2. Qualification in CBT
3. Qualification in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychological Trauma
Skills
Essential
1. Clinical assessment skills
2. Motivational interviewing skills
3. Consultation skills (face to face and telephone)
4. Liaison, negotiation and referral skills
5. Excellent communication skills
6. Ability to work on own initiative
7. Developed aptitude for self-awareness
8. Empathy with clients and having a good understanding of addiction and recovery
9. Ability to work cooperatively within a team
10. The confident ability to work cooperatively with a range of staff
11. Emotional resilience and stamina, and the ability to work calmly under pressure
12. Fully IT literate
Desirable
1. Group therapy skills
2. Crisis management skills
3. Supervision skills for work with trainees and/or honorary counsellors on placement
4. Online counselling skills
Experience
Essential
1. Minimum of 3 years post qualifying counselling practice experience within an agency context or part of a
defined network
2. Proven and comprehensive experience of working in a short-term / brief therapy model
3. Proven and comprehensive experience of clinical assessments
4. Understanding of issues facing clients
5. Ability to work affectively with clients from diverse cultural and social backgrounds
Desirable
1. Experience of counselling clients in addiction and recovery
2. Experience of counselling clients with trauma and/or PTSD
3. Experience of counselling clients with mental health problems
4. Experience of running psycho-educational groups and workshops
5. Experience in public speaking and delivering training
If you are interested in this position, please send a CV and covering letter to julierobinson@changes.uk.com,
interviews will be held on Monday 7th December.