Counsellor

Role: Counsellor

Salary: £27,000 to £28,000 per annum, depending on experience.

Location: Benwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Contract/Hours: Permanent, Part Time, 18.5 hours per week.

Benefits: 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays, professional qualifications, excellent training and development opportunities, flexible maternity, adoption and paternity packages, up to 7% employer contribution pension, discount portal with your favourite brands and Blue Light card eligibility.

Vulnerable children in the UK need your help

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you'll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Last year, we helped more than 670,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

Why Action for Children?

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It's the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.

A bit about the role

Breaking the Cycle is a counselling service for children and young people aged 4 – 16 years who have been affected by domestic abuse. The service is part of the North East Family Support Cluster based in Wesley House, Benwell.

You will work closely with colleagues in Newcastle Family Support Service and from referring agencies, such as Children's Social Care, Health, Education, the Community Family Hub and specialist domestic abuse services.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

We are looking for a skilled Counsellor to join our small counselling team dedicated to the positive outcomes of the Children, Young People and Families who are referred to us. You will support Childrens Service Manager and Lead Counsellor to ensure all objectives are met and the standards are high, and quality assured. You will make a difference by:

• By working flexibly, delivering complex and specialist counselling interventions (e.g. Person Centred, solution focused therapy, mindfulness, play therapy) on a 1:1 basis for children and young people in school, online or community setting.
• By building strong positive, effective relationships with all school staff and other key agencies working within Newcastle; attending any professional meetings as required.
• By offering advice and support to parent/carers and school to help improve their understanding of domestic violence. The role will require the counsellor to complete needs assessments and reviews with parent/carer and school staff. You will also manage risks in relation to agreed plans.
• Be responsible for supporting the Locality Service Manager and Lead Counsellor to ensure all objectives are met and the standards are high, and quality assured.

Let's talk about you

We are looking for someone who shares our passion for creating brighter futures and improving the lives of children in care. Our job description is attached but the must haves are:

• HND in Counselling or equivalent
• Membership of appropriate professional body such as BACP, UKCP or NCS.
• Experienced in counselling for children and young people and working within an education setting.
• Experienced in using a range of therapeutic techniques.
• The ability to assess needs of children and young people, working flexibly and creatively in the planning and delivery of direct work.
• The ability to assess needs of non-abusing parents /carer.
• Knowledge around impact of domestic abuse on children.
• Confidence in communicating and the ability to network into relevant services.
• Good time management and organisational skills, working independently and as part of the wider team.
• Thorough appreciation of the need to maintain and respect confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Access to transport to travel across the region, mileage allowance will be included.

Good to know

Application Process: There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration.

Closing date: Midnight on 26th May 2023 - We may stop taking applications earlier than advertised, due to the volume of applications we receive.

Interview date: Interviews are provisionally scheduled to take place on 9th June.

Contact: Elicia Simmons, Recruitment Partner via email; elicia.simmons@actionforchildren.org.uk

Diversity, equality and inclusion

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Male staff are under-represented within our Children Service roles. We would like to encourage more male applicants for our Children Service roles.

Don't meet every single requirement?

If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we'd love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role within the Action for Children family.

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