Main Purpose and Object of the Post
An Associate Counsellor is an unpaid post for newly qualified counsellors. The purpose is for the counsellor to gain post qualification experience in a Higher Education setting. We will contribute towards supervision and travel expenses in line with University policy.
Associate Counsellors will need to commit themselves to three or four clinical hours a week (to be negotiated) plus one reflective/administrative hour a week. Monthly in-house supervision and external supervision will be in addition to this. All clients will initially be seen for an Initial consultation (IC) by a member of the core counselling team and assessed as being suitable for counselling. As Associate Counsellors develop they will be supported to undertake this assessment process as part of their work with clients.
Specific Duties
Reporting to: Madeleine Robinson
• To work with and manage a caseload of three or four clients a week. The counselling will largely be within a brief counselling framework.
• To be able to assess for risk, take action where appropriate or to seek help/guidance from a core team member if in doubt. To refer where appropriate.
• To maintain professional records of work and keep up to date with the administrative requirements of the SCC.
• Ensure that all practice is in accord with the BACP Ethical Framework, any relevant sector-specific guidelines, Internal Student Counselling Centre policies and University policy and procedure.
• To participate in regular casework supervision with an appropriate and agreed supervisor, in line with BACP Ethical Framework or other accrediting body’s guidelines.
• To attend monthly in-house group supervision/mentoring.
• Be available for internal training days when and where applicable.
The Student Counselling Centre is open to clients all year, except for when the University is closed. Associate Counsellors are expected to work throughout the academic year including student vacations. For more information about the Centre, please look at our website www.leeds.ac.uk/studentcounselling.
Person Specification
Essential
• Have passed a Counselling or Psychotherapy Training at Diploma level (or above) with an agreed training body.
• At least 150 hours of supervised counselling practice.
• Have an understanding of the criteria for safe and ethical counselling practice with the BACP Ethical Framework
• Have the ability to deal with a diverse client group in a sympathetic and effective manner
• Experience of risk assessment and referral procedures.
• Ability to work well within a team.
• A high level of commitment and energy.
• Good organisational, administrative and IT skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Desirable
• Experience of counselling in an educational environment, preferably Higher Education
• An understanding of current issues in HE.
• Experience and/or knowledge of mental health issues.
We require you to offer three to four hours of client contact time plus an hour for admin and reflection per week (more can be offered by negotiation). In addition to this you will be required to attend a monthly in-house supervision and the in-house team training day. You will be expected to make external arrangements for your supervision, although we will contribute towards the cost of this.
You will need to have a DBS check to undertake this post – this can either be conducted through the University or we may accept evidence of a recent check.
To apply, please write to us providing the following -
• A letter of application telling us why you wish to have a placement with us. In formulating your application you need to consider whether a position in an academic environment is right for you. Many clients bring academic related issues and difficulties in the learning process as part of the work. You will need to demonstrate your ability to address such issues.
• Please be sure you demonstrate how you meet each person specification by giving personal examples. This is a requirement in order to be invited for interview.
• Separate Curriculum Vitae to include experience of counselling practice.
• The names and contact details of two referees, one of which should be your current clinical supervisor and another who can comment on any other relevant experience.
Applications should be submitted to Madeline Robinson, via email, at m.r.c.robinson@leeds.ac.uk by Friday 16 October 2015
Interviews will be held on Friday 23 October 2015
Closing Date: 16 Oct 2015
Category: Professional & Managerial