Community Counsellor

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Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Community Counsellor to join our Dialogue service based in Crawley. You will join us on a fixed-term contract until 31st October 2023 and in return, you will receive a competitive salary of £29,525 per annum (pro-rata).YMCA DownsLink Group is a charity working to transform the lives of vulnerable young people across Sussex and Surrey. We work to prevent youth homelessness and provide a home to 763 young people every night. We reach a further 10,000 young people and their families through our other key services, such as counselling, support and advice, mediation, and youth work, so that all young people can belong, contribute, and thrive. We employ c450 full & part-time staff and a growing group of volunteers.As our Community Counsellor, you will offer assessments, Triage, Duty calls and counselling (including face to face, online and group work) to children & young people within the newly commissioned 'blended' tier 2 Counselling Service for young people aged 11-18 with mild to moderate mental health difficulties.The role represents the operational face of the service in community settings and the Community Counsellor will be required to support children / young people accessing provision within the emotional well-being pathway.Key responsibilities of our Community Counsellor include:Carrying out individual assessments and offer face to face and online counselling and group work to children & young people in the local settings and working with the project administrator and project managerSupporting the counselling coordinator in the Triage and duty call teamWorking within the framework of an 8-session modelWorking within the BACP Ethical Framework and upholding the clinical standards that are expected from a BACP Accredited ServiceAttending fortnightly supervision, team meetings and line management meetingsPromoting the blended model approach at every opportunityLiaising with partners based in West Sussex Young People's Service/FinditOut CentresResponding to the evidenced needs of service users by delivering services that are not restricted to a 9-5 timetable in a variety of settingsWorking with managers to support the signposting or referral of young people with other vulnerabilities to other services including Early Help and MASH where appropriateWorking systemically, e.g., liaise with and include parent/carers, educators, health professionals when appropriate and as agreed by the clientOur ideal Community Counsellor will have:Experience in delivering face to face counselling and carrying out of assessments with young people to include working with high risk and complex issues.More than 2 years post-qualified at graduate or post graduate level Counselling Diploma or equivalent [of two years minimum duration including personal counselling or psychotherapy.BACP Registration or Accreditation and/or eligible for other Professional Accreditation e.g. UKCP/HPC.Computer literate & able to use standard software e.g. Word, Excel & Outlook to facilitate working practicesExperience in using electronic database for case management notes and administrative tasks to include monitoring & evaluationExperience in managing risk with effective communication around safeguarding procedures.A driving licence and access to a car for business useYMCA DownsLink Group welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We value diversity and promote inclusion, which we demonstrate through our activities, as well as in our policies and working practices. Reinforced by our culture and values, we seek to create an inspiring and inclusive place to work.Please visit our website and go to the Work for Us page to view this vacancy. Please note that we do not accept CV's. All applications must be submitted by hitting the Apply for this Post found at the bottom of the vacancy on the YMCA website.Closing date for the Community Counsellor role: Monday 6th December 2021YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).