Counsellor Therapist Children Young People and Families
We are looking for a highly motivated Counsellor/Therapist to join our well-established Yo-Yo Project team. The service is open to children and young people living in the community of Mid Essex. Primarily based within schools, you will also be delivering bereavement therapy to children & young people online or at Farleigh Hospice.
You will be a qualified and empathetic Counsellor/Therapist with specialist knowledge of working with children and young people aged 4 to 18 who are facing the loss of someone significant or dealing with a bereavement. This is a permanent post during term time only, working as part of the Yo-Yo Project team. The role requires you to hold a complex caseload, providing therapy and group work. You will also be guiding and advising parents/carers and other professionals in the best practice to support their child/young person. You will have experience of working with children & young people facing bereavement and demonstrate a solid understanding of a range of models and techniques pertaining to bereavement & loss in children and young people.
Main Duties of the Job
With excellent communication skills and a passion for service improvement within Children's mental health care/Emotional Wellbeing and particularly in the field of loss and bereavement, another key part of the role is to build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues and other health and care professionals in the community to deliver the best possible service for our children & young people. You will support the service in ensuring the Yo-Yo Project is evaluated and delivered to the highest standards and provide training to fellow professionals where required. As an integral part of the team, you will support the work of your colleagues in the Yo-Yo Project, contributing to meetings and developments across the service, and work in close collaboration with our service for adults, CIRCLE adult bereavement support and colleagues across the hospice.
The role is an ideal opportunity for someone looking to join a highly regarded service and build on their skills and knowledge in the world of professional counselling.
About Us
You will be supported by a dedicated team and have access to excellent professional leadership and supervision.
In return, we offer a great working environment, a competitive pay and benefit package, flexible working, and a strong team to support you.
The role will be based on 22.5 hours per week and will include a Thursday.
If you are excited as we are about the role, we look forward to hearing from you.
Job Responsibilities
As a Counsellor/Therapist, you will work within the bereavement service providing specialist counselling to children, young people, and their families.
Overall Purpose of Job:
1. To provide a service by undertaking 1:1 support, counselling, and group work with children, young people, and families as necessary for the Yo-Yo Project.
2. To provide support and education to other agencies/professionals working with children and young people.
3. To be a member of the Yo-Yo Project, Bereavement Team, and the wider Farleigh Hospice Team.
4. To work as a full member of the Multi-Professional Team (MPT), providing a preparation for loss and bereavement service to young people, families, and their carers.
5. To participate in Multi-Professional meetings as necessary.
6. To work with children and families using individual, group, or family techniques and involving other members of the Yo-Yo or Bereavement Team as appropriate.
7. To provide an opportunity for children and young people to safely and creatively explore their emotions regarding terminal illness and bereavement issues.
8. To maintain and develop the hospice children and young people's service according to best practice and client need.
9. To keep records that facilitate communication within the hospice in accordance with hospice policy and good work practice.
10. To keep relevant statistics that demonstrate the work of the children and young people's service.
11. To be involved with the selection, recruitment, supervision, and training of Bereavement Volunteers necessary for the children and young people's service.
12. To participate in the multi-professional teaching programmes of the hospice.
13. To participate in research projects if relevant to the children and young people's service.
Support, Education, and Training:
1. To provide the necessary training to those who will be working with children and young people in Farleigh Hospice so that they can meet the needs of bereaved children and those facing the loss of someone significant.
2. To devise and deliver this training to include an appropriate level of Child Protection and Safeguarding knowledge.
3. To develop and participate in an Education and Training programme for external agencies (schools, youth agencies) to help provide education about the loss and bereavement needs of children and young people and to also raise the profile of Farleigh Hospice regarding this.
Member of the Bereavement Team and the wider Farleigh Team:
1. To work jointly with CIRCLE adult bereavement support, the Farleigh Hospice service for bereaved adults.
2. To help develop the hospice Bereavement Service in consultation with the Head of Bereavement, the Director of Care, and with the Multi-Professional Team.
3. To keep records and submit information to Children in Need and/or other grant funders when required.
4. To contribute within the team an understanding and assessment of the psychological, emotional, and social problems of individuals and families from whatever cultural or ethnic group.
5. To represent the hospice at functions and other events as necessary.
6. As part of the team, to be supportive to colleagues.
Professional Responsibilities:
1. To be a registered Counsellor/Therapist with an Advanced Diploma/Degree in Counselling/Social Work (RSW) or other relevant therapeutic discipline (e.g., Art, Music, Play Therapy).
2. To be aware of and work within the Policies/Procedures/Standards of Farleigh Hospice, including those relating to Health and Safety and Moving and Handling.
3. To be a member of the Association of Specialist Palliative Care Social Workers/British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or other appropriate Association/Professional Body.
4. The post holder will be actively involved in service development as the Yo-Yo Project develops.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Therapy registration with an Advanced Diploma/Degree in Counselling or other relevant therapeutic discipline.
* Counsellor/Art, Music, Play Therapist.
* Advanced Diploma/Degree in Counselling Children and Young People or equivalent qualification/relevant experience.
Experience
* Teaching experience/qualification.
* Competency in Windows-based software including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
* Ability to work effectively autonomously as well as in a team.
* Effective oral/written communication and interpersonal skills.
* Child-centred, creative group and individual work.
* Working in a professional capacity with children, young people, and families.
* Experience of working with loss & bereavement.
* In-depth knowledge of models of bereavement and loss.
* Experience in a palliative care setting.
Additional Criteria
* Ability to travel independently and effectively as the post holder will need to travel to different work locations. Access to a reliable vehicle for work-related travel (expenses will be paid).
* Flexible approach.
* A full driving licence.
* Commitment, motivation, and enthusiasm for personal and professional development.
* Enhanced DBS clearance required on appointment and checked every three years thereafter.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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