Counsellor - homeless

Issa Medical Centre; Chester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist medical practice in Chester is looking for a skilled counsellor to join its small clinical team. The role involves providing trauma-informed one-to-one counselling to individuals with complex needs, particularly those with a history of homelessness. Candidates should have a relevant diploma, ongoing professional development, and membership of recognized counselling bodies. This position offers a rewarding opportunity to make a significant impact in a supportive environment while working collaboratively with a dedicated team.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years relevant post qualification experience.
• Membership of BACP/UKCP/UKATA/NCS.
• Evidence of ongoing development and education in relation to different counselling approaches.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one trauma informed counselling.
• Conduct risk assessments and manage potentially hostile situations.
• Maintain accurate clinical records.

Skills

Trauma informed counselling

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

Diploma in counselling

Degree level education

Tools

EMIS

Job description

St Werburgh's practice is a specialist practice for the homeless in Chester.

As such many of our patients have complex physical and mental health issues, including substance misuse.

We are looking for a counsellor to compliment our small existing clinical team with in-house counselling.

This is a challenging but very rewarding work environment and you will be part of a very experienced team.

You will also work with outside agencies as we aim to support patients back into mainstream living.

Main duties of the job

To offer free and confidential one to one trauma informedcounselling to referred individuals with a history of homelessness.

Torespond to the needs of the clients whether this be individual, group ordrop-in services.

To work in partnership with representatives to support individualson a pathway to maintaining their own accommodation.

About us

St Werburgh's is a very small, specialist practice in Chester and is part of a larger practice, Issa Medical who provide management and clinical support.

You will be part of a small team who work closely with patients and wider organisations to support patients who often have complex needs.

As such, we have a very flexible approach to encourage patients to engage in health care and work towards improving both their health and work towards maintaining their own accommodation.

You will provide 1:1 counselling for patients with complex needs and likely a history of homelessness.

We aim to provide a safe, individualised and effective service to all our patients.

Job responsibilities

Delivery of one-to-one counselling for clients with complex needs and a history of homelessness and registered at St Werburghs practice.

Provide accurate information tailored to individual need and understanding regarding the counselling process.

Ensure clients receive a safe, individualised and effective service by assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating their care.

Undertake risk assessments of clients, manage risk and make appropriate referrals to specialist services where significant risk is identified.

Manage potentially hostile and antagonistic situations caused by distressing circumstances.

Participate in the maintenance and development of high-quality trauma informed support and care to clients within the service using research evidence, best practice and expert clinical judgement.

Keep up to date, accurate clinical records

Organise own caseload taking professional responsibility and exercising autonomous judgement with regard to professional practice.

Work in collaborative partnership with the MARS project and its representatives.

Ensure ethical and legal standards are maintained including client confidentiality.

Access and utilise evidence-based practice in the day-to-day delivery of the service by participating in the gathering of assessment data for the purposes of audit research and evaluation.

Disseminate, implement and apply to practice, evidence and outcomes of best practice, research, audit and other quality indicators.

Promote quality measures within the Counselling Service in accordance with Hospice policies and practices.

Participate in relevant Clinical Governance activities within the Practice.

To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance in accordance with the BACP and with the Hospice policies and procedures.

Input all information collected for statistical purposes onto EMIS

Research, collate and provide accurate and timely information as required.

Ensure written and verbal communication is clear, concise, accurate, timely, well presented information and at an appropriate level for this post.

Work with shared objectives as part of a team.

Maintain security and confidentiality of manual and electronic data, allowing access to those who are authorised.

Within your position you will be expected to adhere to the Information Governance Policy that concerns your job role within the Practice.

You will be expected to attend security and confidentiality training as and when required.

Should you have any matters of concern you are encouraged to raise these with your line manager.

Be familiar with Healthy & Safety, Safeguarding, Equality & Divertsity policies

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Diploma in counselling
• Membership of BACP/UKCP/UKATA/NCS
• Evidence of ongoing development and education in relation to different counselling approaches
• Evidence of trauma informed counselling training
• Minimum three years relevant post qualification experience
• Experience of working with individuals who have adverse childhood experiences and trauma that have an impact into adult life. This can include mental health, physical health, and addictions.
• Experience of working with highly emotive material with challenging and complex clients
• Knowledge of assessment and delivery of trauma informed counselling support, applying this knowledge to practice
• Knowledge of risk assessment and clinical outcome tools such as CORE
• Awareness of quality and diversity issues in relation to counselling support
• IT literate
• Ability to liaise with health and social care professionals across a variety of settings
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner
• Ability to work with shared objectives as part of a team
• Ability to work collaboratively with the wider multi-professional team
• Educated to degree level
• Working towards BACP/UKCP editaccreditation / BACP Certificate of Proficiency
• Experience of facilitating groups
• Experience of working with a multi-professional team
• Experience of working in a health care setting / team environment

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.