Individual and Group Counsellor

Volunteer Centre; Leeds; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

An established organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence is seeking a compassionate counselor to provide specialized support. This role involves delivering counseling sessions, facilitating peer support groups, and collaborating with a dedicated team to enhance service offerings. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of trauma and a commitment to empowering survivors through a holistic, client-focused approach. Join a passionate team making a meaningful impact in the community, ensuring that all voices are heard and represented in a safe and supportive environment.

Benefits

Annual leave entitlement

Professional development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Experience delivering counseling to survivors of sexual violence.
• Knowledge of trauma and its impacts on survivors.

Responsibilities

• Deliver specialist counseling to women and nonbinary individuals.
• Co-facilitate peer support groups and develop group work.

Skills

Counseling

Trauma-informed care

Group facilitation

Client-focused approach

Empathy

Education

Relevant counseling qualification

Job description

Support After Rape and Sexual Violence Leeds

Hours: 14 per week (2 days), Wednesdays and Thursdays

Annual leave entitlement: 25 days per annum pro rata plus statutory Bank Holiday entitlement

Nature of contract: Permanent (subject to 6-month probation period)

Responsible to: Counselling Service Manager/s

Location: Leeds City Centre

Primary purpose of the role

To deliver counselling sessions to adult women and nonbinary people* who have experienced sexual violence and abuse. To co-facilitate a peer support group with a peer support facilitator, and support further development of peer support at SARSVL. To develop, deliver and integrate a range of group work into SARSVL’s core counselling service provision, in collaboration with the Counselling Service Managers, other staff and service users.

*Including cis women, trans women and nonbinary people who align with our women-centred approach

Main responsibilities:

• To deliver specialist counselling to women and nonbinary people who have experienced sexual violence and abuse of any kind at any time in their life.
• To provide a safe and empowering space for survivors through an intersectional feminist, client-focused, holistic approach, rooted in an in-depth knowledge and understanding of trauma.
• To provide counselling to a caseload of around 4-6 weekly clients at a time (possibly a mixture of short-term and longer-term, and in-person or online depending on the needs of the service).
• To co-facilitate a peer support group and work alongside the peer support facilitator and group members to further develop peer support at SARSVL.
• To develop, deliver and integrate a range of group work into core counselling service provision in collaboration with the Counselling Service Managers, other staff and service users.
• To complete initial assessments.
• To maintain and monitor records of all service users with maximum confidentiality.
• To be fully aware of the myths and facts around sexual violence and abuse and of its short- and long-term impacts on survivors.
• To monitor services proactively to ensure they meet survivors’ needs and are shaped by .
• To attend group supervision, case management and line management with a Counselling Service Manager as required.
• To attend external clinical supervision.
• To manage own workload and admin.
• To adhere to all organisational policies and procedures, to the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions, and to any partnership agreements and arrangements put in place with partner organisations.
• To contribute to the development of policies, protocols and strategies as needed, ensuring survivors’ needs, rights and safety remain
• To attend and participate in staff meetings and other internal meetings as needed.
• To work with everyone at SARSVL to ensure all our organisation’s activities include, represent and meet the needs of the diversity of women,girls and nonbinary people in Leeds, particularly those most minoritised and marginalised by society.
• To participate fully in line management and appraisal processes, and take up training and continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities.
• To adhere to and promote SARSVL’s values and ethos in all areas of work.
• To take on other tasks as agreed.

Expectations of a SARSVL employee

• SARSVL employees have a broad knowledge and understanding of sexual violence and abuse, and of the wider political and economic context in which they are working.
• SARSVL employees prioritise the good of the organisation, of the Rape Crisis movement as a whole, and of women, girls and nonbinary people who have experienced sexual violence and abuse, actively promoting SARSVL’s values in all aspects of their work.
• SARSVL employees are flexible and responsive to the changing needs of the organisation as it develops and grows.
• SARSVL employees communicate openly and honestly. They are professional and approachable and make efforts to understand the viewpoints of others.
• SARSVL employees actively seek out training and development opportunities to enable them to take on a range of roles and tasks.
• SARSVL employees take responsibility for their own work and share responsibility for the work of the organisation as a whole. They are self-motivated and can self-manage, but at the same time are committed to working as an equal and valued member of a team.
• SARSVL employees are enthusiastic about problem-solving. They understand that there will be tough times and problems but they are willing to find and be part of the solutions.

Please return your application, and optionally an equality an diversity form, to [e-mail] by the deadline of 9am on Monday 19th May.

Interviews will take place on 5th and 6th June.

Support After Rape and Sexual Violence Leeds