Counsellor

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Durham, ENGLAND
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Counsellor (
Job Number:
 22001777)
Student Support & Wellbeing Directorate
Grade 7: - £35,333 - £42,155 per annum
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date
: 11-Dec-2022, 6:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Please note that the successful applicant will require DBS disclosure. Further info: https://bit.ly/3DP5K8y 

Job Title:  Counsellor          
Department: Counselling & Mental Health Service 
Grade: Grade 7 
Salary range:      £35,333 - £42,155 per annum    
Working arrangements:  This post is 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday 9-5 with one evening per week in termtime, 1-9 p.m onsite.  There is some flexibility around 8-4 hours.  We can offer a hybrid working pattern (minimum 3 days onsite) or full-time onsite.

 

The University 
 
At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.   

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  Further information about the University can be found here

The Role and Department 

The Counselling & Mental Health Service is a multi-disciplinary central specialist service for student mental health and wellbeing provision in the University.  It sits within the Student Support and Wellbeing Directorate.  The Service provides support for the institution by providing individual and group interventions, advice for College and Departmental Staff, and the development, delivery or support for proactive initiatives around mental health and wellbeing.  The Service exists to enable students to make the most of the academic and social opportunities that the University affords, and to support staff managing student mental health need across the University.  The Service is responsive to the changing needs of Durham University and operates within clear ethical and professional guidelines. 

Counsellors offer time-limited individual and group interventions for students, and take an active role in other aspects of service development in collaboration with the Head of Service.  Counsellors autonomously manage a caseload of clients, supported by clinical supervision and caseload management meetings.  
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. 
 
Working at Durham  
 
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:  
 
•    30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.   
•    The University closes between Christmas and New Year   
•    We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled  into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS). 
•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. 
•    There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.  
•    Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. 
•    On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays. 
•    Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). 
•    The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community 
•    Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.  
•    A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.  
•    If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. 

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values 

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.   As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. 
 
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.


Person Specification 
 
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills and experience you have from a similar role, which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.   
 
Essential Criteria

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
  • Excellent digital competence with demonstrable skills in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital case records system. 
  • Five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent experience).
  • A counselling or psychological therapy qualification to Bachelor or Master's degree level (or equivalent).
  • Professional practitioner with experience and expertise in delivering time-limited individual and group interventions. (Please state number of practice hours since qualifying, up to a maximum of 450)
  • Registered membership of a recognised professional body ie  BACP, UKCP, BABCP or equivalent.
  • Experience of mental health risk and crisis management
  • Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines 
  • Experience of working with difference, including individuals with Protected Characteristics 
  • Experience of working flexibly and creatively in a multidisciplinary team that offers a range of interventions   
  • Experience of implementing policy and procedures  and ability to contribute to planning at operational level
  • Knowledge of a wide range of mental health issues, NHS structures, referral mechanisms and practices , and the work of other support agencies. 
  • Experience of being able to network effectively and develop strong and productive working relationships internally and externally.
  • Knowledge of a wide range of mental health issues, NHS structures, referral mechanisms and the work of other support agencies. 
  • Desirable Criteria

    1.       Experience of offering individual and group interventions in a higher education or similar context. 

    How to Apply
        
    To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  
     
    While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.    
       
    Submitting your application  
     
    We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. 
       
    What you need to submit    
     
    •    A CV and    
    •    A supporting statement which details how you meet each of the criteria within the Person Specification.     
     
    Contact details    
       
    For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Kate Augarde, Head of Service at [email protected] 
     
    Typical Role Requirements 

    Service Delivery

    • Autonomously manage a caseload of student clients, offering online and in-person therapeutic consultations (single sessions), ongoing counselling sessions and flexible follow-up and support arrangements; engage in case management supervision;

    • Design and deliver therapeutic, psychoeducational and peer support groups and workshops;

    • Maintain accurate and timely records of support and ongoing actions on the University record system, currently Target Connect, ensuring that all records comply with data protection legislation;  

    • Work within a professional ethical framework; 

    • Assist in the coordination of a University-wide response to crisis situations;  

    • Conduct all work within relevant legislation, professional codes of conduct, and University policies and procedures, and keep abreast of current research in student support interventions;

    • Support the day-to-day administrative requirements of the Service;

    • A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

    • Contribute to the development of operational and strategic plans and service level agreements.  Identify training and service-improvement opportunities;

    • Any other reasonable duties

    Communications and networking

    • Communicate with internal and external stakeholders using appropriate media; 

    • Contribute to the delivery of activities that generate external income; 

    • Participate in communities of practice and partnership working internally and externally, including wider University meetings, attendance at Continuing Professional Development events, and individual and peer supervision;

     Additional duties 

    Members of the Counselling Team may be requested to take on one or more of the following areas of responsibility: 

    • Coordination of trainee counsellor placements and/or supervision of trainees on placement; 

    • Policy-development and BACP accreditation submissions; 

    • Other specific projects to improve service provision. 

       
    Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.   
     

    When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.



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