Accredited Counsellors (in person)

NHS; Dorking; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job description

You will join an experienced and well-supported team working to make a real difference to people, supporting us to maintain our excellent reputation within Surrey.

You will be providing Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression interventions for a wide range of clients. The role will be an on-site role with a minimum of 2 days a week working from our dedicated hub based in central Dorking, with financial incentives for more days on-site. You will have the opportunity to have a mix of virtual and onsite work, including face-to-face, video/telephone, workshops, and courses across your week.

You will receive high-level clinical supervision, case management, clinical skills and group supervision, as well as regular line management, daily duty support, and excellent CPD opportunities (e.g. PCE-CfD supervision training or other High Intensity modalities depending on service need).

You will have the opportunity to develop your clinical and leadership skills depending on your career goals, for example providing reflective supervision, both 1:1 and group, and by getting involved in the planning and delivery of CPD for the team.

You will be fully supported to pursue skills development and career progression, and we offer a range of opportunities within and outside of the counsellor role. You will have the opportunity to lead on a champion role to support your colleagues and increase access to communities less likely to access the service.

Main duties of the job

We understand that work-life balance is important, so there is an opportunity for an agreed flexible working pattern.

We have hubs across Surrey (Weybridge, Woking, Guildford, Epsom, Redhill, Dorking, and Oxted). If you would prefer to work on-site in one of our other bases, please make your preference clear on the application.

Please note we do not have vacancies for remote counsellors.

You will need to demonstrate the following:

• Full accreditation with BACP, NCS, UKCP, BPS, AOC and/or BPS
• PCE-CfD practitioner qualification or eligibility to work towards this qualification
• Experience of completing assessments and high intensity counselling with people who have experienced mental health difficulties, preferably in primary care.
• An ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision.
• If hybrid working is desired, access to a suitable and safe working environment to work from home part of the week.
• Skills to manage your own workload under pressure and meet agreed targets.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively and develop a good rapport with clients and colleagues.
• An ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships.
• A positive can-do attitude and the commitment to support the mental health and wellbeing of Surrey residents
• Sufficient IT skills for electronic record keeping and virtual working (if desired)

About us

DHC is a GP Federation, dedicated to supporting people in Surrey by providing high-quality healthcare. By working together we develop health services that help our patients stay well, are efficient and meet the needs of our local stakeholders, and place people at the centre of everything we do. We provide a wide range of quality healthcare services including elective care, Talking Therapies, community healthcare which we integrate and co-ordinate with primary care. We value our team and provide strong leadership with great professional development, in a fun and friendly environment. DHC is working at the centre of the local health system to evolve and deliver integrated care and that requires strong partnerships with many organisations. In all of our services, we aim to put the patient at the centre of their care, make sure our services are easy to access by local patients and reduce waiting times. We are well placed to influence the wider system in making good choices for our population.

• Competitive salaries with opportunity to earn an additional 2.5% of salary/day for increased onsite working
• Excellent support and career development
• Flexible working and buying or selling leave
• NHS Pension scheme and minimum of 27 days annual leave (plus Bank holidays)

DHC actively encourages and promotes diversity, ensures all voices are heard and included, and is committed to equal opportunities for all.

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be part of an NHS Talking Therapies service and will provide Counselling at a high intensity level. The post holder will work with clients who have a range of psychological problems using therapy recommended by NICE guidance and the NHS Talking Therapies manual.

The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities.

It is essential that the post holder exercises initiative and independent judgement whilst maintaining a high level of confidentiality and diplomacy at all times. In addition, the post holder is co-responsible for managing, maintaining, and administering various data sources, which may include waiting lists, caseloads, or clinical reporting. Responsible for ensuring accurate data is recorded for national target requirements.

Person Specification

• Accredited with a professional psychological therapy organisation (aligned to SCoPED column B or C)
• Full range of skills and competencies in delivering counselling based interventions
• Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients in person and using digital platforms
• Proficient IT skills including data systems and working virtually using online platforms
• Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS
• Has received training (either formal or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
• Competent in carrying out risk assessments and taking appropriate action in line with service protocols
• Trained in provision of counselling supervision
• Completed clinical audits within a service

Qualifications

• Full accreditation with BACP or equivalent (SCoPED column B or C)
• This includes:
• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP): Accredited
• United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP): Registered as a Psychotherapist or Psychotherapeutic Counsellor
• Association of Christian Counsellors: Accreditation
• National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS): Accredited Professional registrants
• British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC): Registered.
• Band 7 role: PCE-CfD qualification
• Band 6 role: Meets requirements to deliver Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression
• Relevant experience in Primary Care treating anxiety and depression.

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services
• Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets
• Ability to manage own caseload and time
• Demonstrates high standards in written communication
• Able to write clear reports and letters to referrers
• Experience with routine outcome monitoring
• Experience of working in NHS Talking Therapies service
• Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
• Experience of teaching and liaising with other professional groups

Knowledge

• Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care
• Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health / benefits & employment systems
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence-based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
• Knowledge of child protection issues and other relevant legislation

Other Requirements

• Ability and willingness to travel to locations throughout the organisation
• High level of enthusiasm and motivation.
• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
• Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
• Ability to work under pressure
• Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
• Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, & in own personal and professional development and in supervision
• Fluent in languages other than English
• Experience of working with diverse communities and within a multicultural setting

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Depending on experience from £48,455 (pro-rata) + 2.5% for each additional day onsite