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Closing date: Monday 15 January 2024
Location: Blended home working and head office (Chester)
Hours: 30 hours per week
Salary: £22702.70 per year (£28,000 pro rata per year)
Contract: Permanent

A diagnosis of vision impairment can impact on emotional wellbeing and increase the risk of depression, so Vision Support is looking for a qualified Counsellor to provide counselling and wellbeing services to people with a vision impairment, alongside practical support and mentoring to Student Counsellors to help them develop their skills and understanding in supporting blind and partially sighted clients.

This is an excellent opportunity to play an influential role in a respected charity, to apply your skills and experience to make a real difference and be part of a friendly and passionate group where innovation and creativity are welcomed.

Overall Aims of Post

You will be responsible for the Counselling and Wellbeing Service, developing ways to improve mental health and wellbeing through one-to-one counselling, small group work and other initiatives. You will also develop links between universities and oversee student work placements, including group supervisions where you will analyse key themes and report these to the charity to help proactively reduce the impact vision impairment.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with people seeking better mental health and wellbeing and establish trusting, collaborative relationships.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records of activity and outcomes in-line with service requirements and confidentiality and provide regular anonymised audit information.
• Review progress using the Core 10 self-assessment tool and capture evidence to support funding bids.
• Regularly liaise with the Services Manager North Wales, rehabilitation team and Safeguarding Lead (CEO).
• Participate in personal support and regular supervisions.
• Continually review and evaluate the service alongside the Services Manager North Wales.
• Develop links with universities to promote placements at for Counselling and Psychotherapy students.
• Work with the Student Counsellors to organise at least 2 group supervision sessions per placement cycle.
• Arrange and deliver relevant updates to staff.
• Take responsibility for personal professional development by organising and funding regular clinical supervision with an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, and keep up to date with research and developments which may lead to improvements in the service.
• Work with the relevant managers to develop and maintain a strategy based on the organisation’s priorities and Risk Register.
• Manage and oversee the recruitment of Student Counsellors and their training requirements.

Other Responsibilities

• Follow Vision Support’s policies and procedures.
• Be responsible for personal health, safety and welfare and that of others who may be affected by your actions or inactions.
• Deliver a consistent, high-quality range of supportive interventions, based on individuals’ needs, and promote wellbeing and recovery to help clients develop the skills to overcome barriers, regaining their self-confidence and independence.
• Develop links between Vision Support and Universities within the local area as the individual qualified to degree level in counselling or psychotherapy.
• Be willing to travel across operational areas if required.

General/Additional Information:

It is not possible to cover all the potential responsibilities in the job description therefore there is an expectation that the post holder will cover tasks not specifically covered within their job description therefore flexibility is required.

Vision Support is committed to training and development. Vision Impairment Awareness training will be given. Ongoing training, formal and informal will be part of the role.

Applicants are advised that contact with guide dogs may be necessary within the workplace.

Person Specification

The successful candidate should be able to clearly demonstrate the following key skills, knowledge, and behaviours necessary for the role:

Education/Qualifications/Membership of Professional Bodies:

Essential

• Educated to degree level in Counselling or Psychotherapy, or equivalent professional qualification.
• Member of The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Knowledge / Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 12 months post qualifying experience working as a Counsellor.
• An understanding of the developmental, emotional, social needs of people over the age of 18 from diverse ethnic, cultural, and social and economic backgrounds.
• Knowledge of local and regional mental health services and support, including what services are available in Vision Support.
• Demonstrable experience of supporting vulnerable adults in a professional capacity.

Skills and Abilities:

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, preferably in Welsh and English.
• Ability to work on own initiative and manage the competing demands of a varied workload.
• Interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within a team, and across a range of clients.
• Excellent IT skills utilising Microsoft 365 applications and experience of CRM systems.
• Ability to problem solve.
• Well-developed aptitude for self-awareness and demonstrable self-reflective practice to work calmly under pressure.
• Non-judgemental, congruent, and respectful approach.
• A strong awareness of own emotions and responsibility for own self-care.
• Empathy and understanding of the needs of people with a vision impairment and the impact of sight loss.
• Willingness to become an Accredited Sight Loss Counsellor.

Other:

Essential

• Promote equality and diversity amongst our clients and all those we work with.
• Ensure all clients’ needs are understood and all services that are provided meet individual needs, including the protected characteristics and those with additional support needs.
• Always treat everyone with dignity and respect.

Please note, we may close the advert early should we find a suitable candidate.

Visit the Vision Support website.

To apply, please email Kate Hurst your CV.