Volunteer Staff Counsellor

D’Overbroeck’s School provides a confidential service offering emotional support to staff. Counselling provides a warm, reflective and accepting space to explore difficult feelings, worries and life events which are having an adverse effect on staff’s emotional wellbeing. We work in an integrative way. Central to the school’s counselling approach are the person-centred principles of empathy, congruency and an unconditional positive regard. We recognise that working in the land of interpersonal relationships is complex and layered with boundaries, however we model patience, compassion and humility. We are honest and hold the client’s best interests at the heart of our work.  

Job Description

Volunteer counsellor will:  

·        Provide 1:1 counselling for staff (at least 3)  

·        Attend regular supervision – on placement and on training  

·        Attend regular clinical management meetings (which may be on different days to  

·        placement) 

·        Commit to an academic year between 9 months – 1 year  

·        Adhere to the school’s safeguarding policy and understand how to raise concerns  

·        Protect and safeguard children and adults alike 

·        Respect the need for continuity and commit to attending all sessions unless ill  

·        Maintain appropriate client confidentiality  

·        Keep accurate up to date records which are held at the school  

·        Organise school appointments – emailing session times and, where       

·        appropriate, liaise with relevant staff.  

·        Adhere to working within the BACP framework and ethical guidelines  

You agree to  

·        Respect every client – their religious, racial, cultural and ethical background; their psychological defences, their worries and their current ways of coping.  

·        Work with integrity, kindness and honesty  

·        Model approaches which value equality and diversity  

·        Maintain appropriate client confidentiality  

·        Understand the safeguarding policy and know when to break confidentiality for       

·        safeguarding reasons  

·        Provide a reflective other to support clients to find new self-understanding  

·        Psycho-educate when it is appropriate  

·        Refer onto other Mental Health specialists if/when appropriate  

·        Keep accurate clinical notes stored securely in the filing cabinets  

·        Model an attitude of warmth and approachability when talking to staff  

Person Specification 

Essential  

1.      Be a trainee counsellor in the final year of a recognised theoretical model of counselling OR a qualified counsellor at diploma level or above  

2.      Be competent in using a theoretical model of counselling in sessions with clients  

3.      Demonstrate experience of supporting vulnerable people in a professional capacity  

4.      Manage case-load, core-monitoring and evaluation  

5.      Demonstrate a non-judgemental, congruent and respectful approach  

6.      Evidence strong abilities in communicating with team members  

7.       Work within BACP guidelines  

8.       Demonstrate a strong awareness of own emotions and be responsible for own self care  

9.      Be able to demonstrate an understanding of Equality and Diversity issues  

10.  Be responsible for own clinical supervision  

11.  Willing to be available to volunteer on Fridays  

Desirable   

1.      Experience/understanding of working with adults affected by mental health issues  

2.      Experience working in education settings  

3.      Training in short-term therapy, CBT, ACT, Mindfulness.  

What’s in it for you? 

The opportunity to:  

·                    Be part of an enthusiastic counselling service  

·                    Build practice counselling hours for training or accreditation  

·                    Gain experience in working with Clients. 

Further information

If you would like any further information at this stage, please feel free to email Charlie Morse-Brown charlie.morse-brown@doverbroecks.com  

Applications

To apply please use the link below

Volunteer Staff Counsellor[Volunteer Staff Counsellor]

Please send your application, CV and a letter outlining your relevant experience and what you would bring to the role to hr@doverbroecks.com.

The final date for submission of applications is 5pm Monday 6th June 2023.

Interviews will be held on week commencing 20th June 2023.