To proactively manage a caseload of people who are experiencing depression and have been assessed as appropriate for brief counselling interventions at step 3 of the stepped care model. To provide effective short term counselling interventions in up to 20 sessions with people experiencing depression, in line with NICE guidance. To effectively manage a caseload of up to 24 patients with the support of clinical supervision. To work collaboratively with the administrative and clinical team. PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES To manage a caseload of clients who are experiencing depression; formulating and providing specialist short term counselling interventions To be integrated with the Talking Therapies service, being responsible for those clients who have been assessed and referred for counselling at step 3. To be involved in carrying out initial assessments with people referred to the service. To maintain a professional relationship with the clients and with other staff, with particular attention to confidentiality and the maintenance of boundaries. To ensure all client activity is recorded and monitored in line with the required data management system (SystmOne). To work with senior clinicians to implement and integrate counselling with the talking therapies team at step 3 of the stepped care model, in line with national and local policies. To work within professional guidelines and exercise responsibility for providing counselling interventions within the service. CLINICAL To assess clients therapeutic needs at the initial appointment and throughout treatment. To make recommendations for alternative treatment, if the counsellor considers that counselling is not the best source of help for a particular client. To provide brief counselling, (up to 12 sessions) to those aged 16 plus at Talking Therapies. Clients problems may include those who are experiencing: mild to moderate depression, whether reactive or clinical in origin; relationship issues; bereavement; sufferers of domestic, emotional, physical or sexual abuse. To exercise autonomous clinical responsibility for the selection, development and implementation of counselling models, strategies and interventions, adjusting and reformulating as appropriate on the basis of feedback from the client, the counsellors judgement and input from clinical supervision. To communicate with referrers at various stages of the counselling process. To maintain agreed patient record systems and abide by agreed confidentiality boundaries. To keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols. To adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient. To complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service. To adhere to all clinical policies and procedures. To maintain high clinical standards in all aspects of the work. To undertake risk assessment and risk management in line with trust and service policies. INFORMATION AND RESOURCES NHS Talking Therapies requires the use of minimum data set to record the outcomes of the service. The post holder will work with the senior clinicians, clinical lead and service manager to be involved with: Completing all requirements relating to data collection within the service. Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols. RESEARCH AND AUDIT To support the development and implementation of relevant audits, operational policies and guidelines relating to counselling. PROFESSIONAL To be accountable for matters of professional clinical judgement. To take responsibility for and to manage ones own caseload. To assess the appropriateness of referrals for counselling in consultation with the clinical lead and other clinicians. To maintain professional knowledge and competence in line with professional guidelines and to keep updated with theoretical and research developments which affect good working practices. To maintain professional, clinical and ethical standards in compliance with the British Association of Counselling (BACP), Counsellors in Primary Care (CPC) Codes of Ethics and Practice and other relevant practice guidelines. To attend counselling supervision in accordance with BACP Codes of Practice. To undertake any other duties as agreed with the clinical lead and service manager. To comply with all Trust policies and guidelines. To participate in continuing professional development in accordance with BACP and CPC requirements. Be aware of and keep up to date with advances in counselling and other agreed psychological therapies. Attend agreed regular clinical and managerial supervision in line with the trusts policies an