Counsellor

Job description

About

Job purpose The post holder has the responsibility for provision of counselling services for both children and adults, experiencing trauma, bereavement, and anticipatory grief, due to life shortening, palliative or end of life care, at Bluebell Wood to ensure that they are delivered in line with the ethical and professional codes of conduct pertaining to the relevant registered body (BACP).Key responsibilities Provide professional, competent, and ethical counselling in line with BACP requirements. Provide a robust service delivery, under the direction of the Family Wellbeing and Counselling Coordinator. To provide data and reports on services provided as required. Maintain records in confidence and in line with the Data Protection Act 1998 and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations). Seek out and engage in regular clinical supervision. Continue life-long professional learning. Support colleagues in helping to ascertain the correct level of support based on client need and referring/signposting to the most appropriate service. Key Tasks Provide data and reports on the services provided as required. Maintain accurate notes and appointment schedules using The Care Database, monitoring attendance and cancellations of clients. Raise concerns to the appropriate member of management or Safeguarding Lead in a timely manner to ensure effective intervention if necessary. Facilitate therapy sessions either in person or remotely according to client need. Therapy: Hold a balanced caseload of clients, oering therapeutic intervention in line with professional registered body, (BACP). Work autonomously as a competent practitioner within national, organisational, and local policies and procedures maintaining British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) or equivalent accreditation, working within the professional framework for ethical practice. Continue to be mindful of and honest about limits to competence and make recommendations for referral on where psychological diculties are more complex and/or require specialist services/interventions. Work in partnership with other professionals and agencies where necessary, signposting appropriately in situations where the core individual need is not bereavement or anticipatory grief. Maintain a professional level of clinical practice through participation in individual monthly clinical supervision, placing a high value on self-care. Maintain ongoing professional CPD in line with BACP requirements for continued registration, setting realistic personal development objectives. Taking responsibility for own development and maintaining a professionally relevant development portfolio. Communication: Develop and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with children, young people and their families who use the counselling services via their preferred method of contact. Establish and maintain eective communication with relevant individuals and groups to support children, young people, siblings, and family members; including key members of the hospice; volunteers; service users; statutory and voluntary organisations. Develop and maintain effective communication links and relationships with external stakeholders, multi-disciplinary services and agencies, individuals, and organisations, to enable effective signposting where required. Understand the importance of, and maintain, the need for confidentiality in all individual and hospice matters. Service Development: Engage in research and development opportunities. Network with other professionals both locally, regionally, and nationally who oer specialised services to children and families. Work in collaboration with the psychological therapies team to continue to develop a robust, creative and evidence-based service for our children and families. Support the psychological therapies team to guide Family Support and wider hospice colleagues on theories around trauma, bereavement, and anticipatory grief to support their individual roles, providing specic training sessions where necessary. Person specification Essential criteria Qualified Counsellor registered with BACP Specific training in working with children BACP Accreditation (or actively working towards this) Experience of responding proactively to safeguarding concerns Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively Ability to demonstrate a high degree of professional credibility Experience of providing bereavement counselling to children IT Literate, including the ability to use Microsoft Office suite Ability to analyse data and produce performance reports Expert knowledge within own profession, which underpins theory, gained through recent professional development Legally entitled to work in this country Willing and able to travel extensively to meet the needs of our children, young people, and their families Car driver with access to a vehicle Desirable criteria Experience of working within a palliative care setting Knowledge and understanding of the assessment of child and young adult support needs in a racially and culturally diverse population GENERAL All Bluebell Wood employees are required to: Abide by the Health & Safety at Work Act Adhere to policy and procedures around safeguarding children and young adults Respect confidentiality applying to all Hospice areas Work within Hospice policies and procedures Demonstratable understanding and application of the provisions of GDPR Comply with the Hospice no smoking policy Participate in and contribute to team meetings Co-operate and liaise with colleagues Behave in a professional manner at all times Act as an ambassador for Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice, reflecting the objectives and values, and to always work in the best interests of the charity.