Counsellor Jobs

About Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing, and Hounslow Mind

We’re Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing, and Hounslow Mind, part of Mind the mental health charity. We won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. We provide advice and support to empower anybody experiencing a mental health problem and we campaign to improve services, raise awareness, and promote understanding.

We work in Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing, and Hounslow and have a range of services and products to help children, young people and adults maintain and regain their mental health. We work with employers, partners, community groups and other charities to achieve our aims.

Role purpose

We are looking for maternity cover for a full-time counsellor role on our Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) counselling service, Mind My Home. The service offers SFBT to adults (18+) with low to moderate mental health needs.

We are looking for experienced candidates with post graduate qualification in CBT, Counselling or Psychotherapy and accreditation from a relevant professional body e.g. BACP (Registered member MBACP).

Due to the nature of the work, if successful, you will need to have an up-to-date DBS check completed prior to undertaking unsupervised client work.  

Place of work

Counselling sessions will take place face-to-face, virtually, and via telephone, so you will need to travel across Spelthorne and the tri-borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, Ealing, and Hounslow, and have the option to work remotely.

Key Responsibilities
 

• Facilitating the 8 sessions (7+1 assessment) of SFBT for new referrals.
• Assisting in the triage and booking of SFBT appointments.

Training

Training will be provided and, as part of the Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing, and Hounslow Mind induction the following training will be compulsory:

• Safeguarding of vulnerable adults
• Mental health awareness
• Equality and diversity
• Health and safety

Essential Knowledge and Experience

•  3+ years’ experience (Required)
• BACP or HCPC Registration
• Receiving clinical supervision
• Experience counselling adults (18+) using CBT and SFBT
• Excellent written communication.
• Experience recording using a database

We are an equal opportunities employer; and are proud to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds.

Post is subject to a DBS check.

Join a team with a bold mission – at Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind, we are dedicated to reshaping the landscape of mental health and emotional wellbeing in our community. We are growing our counselling service, and we will be offering more generalised counselling as well as our Self Harmony service which specialises in self-harm and self-injury reduction. 
 
What You'll Do: 

• Collaborative Leadership: Lead, inspire, and effectively manage a team of professionals to deliver exceptional mental health support and interventions. 

• Innovation and Empowerment: Channel your passion into providing evidence-based interventions, elevating the mental health and emotional well-being of the people we serve, while opening doors to life's possibilities. 

• Effective Partnerships:  Ensure effective and appropriate communication with all individuals, staff, community agencies and partner organisations.  

We are growing our counselling service and we will be offering more generalised counselling as well as our Self Harmony service which specialises in self-harm and self-injury reduction.

What You'll Do:

- Innovation and Empowerment: Channel your passion into providing evidence-based interventions, elevating the mental health and emotional well-being of the people we serve, while opening doors to life's possibilities.

- Effective Partnerships:  Ensure effective and appropriate communication with all individuals, staff, community agencies and partner organisations.

"Enthusiastic" "positive" and "not too serious" young person's counsellor wanted- words chosen by our young people! They have asked us to find a counsellor who understands their unique needs and can help them to open up. 

Our role is exciting and varied and includes offering 1-1 counselling and therapeutic groups in different settings, both in schools and the community. We are looking for a qualified and experienced counsellor to join our team and help young people aged 11-25 to find their feet. In return we are a supportive team who are really passionate. 

We use the BACP Ethical Framework to guide our practice and are seeking someone who is registered with the BACP or equivalent professional body. We would like to find someone who uses a range of counselling modalities creatively to meet the needs of young people. This role will involve some group work specifically around young women's mental health, so ideally you would have an interest in this thematic work.

There is some flexibility on working days but there is a requirement to work at least one evening per week up to 8pm. You would be working in different settings across North Cheshire East, including Knutsford, so access to transport would be an advantage. Occasional weekend work would also be required, although hours can be worked on a regular Saturday if preferred.

Transforming Lives for Good (TLG) is a national Christian charity working in partnership with local churches to give struggling children hope and a future.

Building on the huge success of TLG Early Intervention Coaching, TLG Therapeutic Support will be a new way for TLG, with partner churches, to provide support in school for the increasing number of pupils struggling to cope due to their emotional, relational, and mental health experiences. 

In this role we are looking for an individual that thrives working with children and young people in a school context and is passionate about supporting pupils and their families struggling with emotional, relational, and mental health challenges. This role requires a formal counselling qualification or at least evidence of notable progress on the journey to attaining a counselling qualification. The TLG Therapeutic Counsellor will be present each week in the school, providing specialist trauma aware care for these children, whilst supporting staff and parents too.

TLG is a Christian charity and, as a team, we want to bring our faith to the work we do; as such, we are recruiting an individual with a strong and active Christian faith. TLG is also committed to safeguarding children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure via the DBS.

We would welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds to enable us to better reflect the needs of the communities we serve.

Applications will be reviewed on application prior to the closing date. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date if a suitable applicant applies. The date of interviews is to be confirmed.

Main purpose of job: To provide specialist counselling and support to young people (12-19) who have experienced rape, sexual violence or sexual abuse. The role will also provide occasional counselling and support to adult supporters and relatives, and there may also the potential to work with children under 12 if qualified to do so. The role includes wider responsibilities as a member of CARA’s staff team including acting as point of contact for sessional counsellors and activities to raise awareness of the impact of sexual violence amongst agencies and the wider community.

Start date: As soon as possible (subject to Enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references).

Salary: £30,151 - £32,020, per annum, pro-rata.

Contract: This is a one year contract in the first instance.

Hours: 21 hours per week.  

Place of work: To work flexibly at CARA premises across mid and north Essex, including Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester and Dunmow. The post may also involve some remote working, if a suitable home working environment is available.

Holiday: 25 days per year, pro-rata, plus additional closure days between Christmas and New Year.

To apply: Please complete the application form, which can be downloaded from our website, explaining how your skills and experience relate to the person specification. Applications must specifically address each essential and desirable criteria, giving evidence from previous experience or qualifications. 

Application deadline: Tuesday 7th May, 10am.

Interviews:  Monday 13th May in Colchester.

Start date: As soon as possible, subject to receipt of satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.

Mandatory Training Dates: To be confirmed.  

This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.

Job Description

To provide specialist counselling and support to young people (12-19) who have experienced rape, sexual violence or sexual abuse. The role will also provide occasional counselling and support to adult supporters and relatives, and there may also the potential to work with children under 12 if qualified to do so. The role includes wider responsibilities as a member of CARA’s staff team including acting as CARA point of contact for sessional counsellors and activities to raise awareness of the impact of sexual violence amongst agencies and the wider community.

Main Responsibilities

· To provide one-to-one counselling and support to young people (aged 12-19), holding a caseload of clients.

· To provide occasional counselling and support to adult supporters and relatives.

· To undertake client assessments and make appropriate arrangements for their support.

· To provide specialist advice to other workers and agencies, including participation in delivery of training sessions.

· To liaise with other agencies and attend meetings, where required.

· To act as point of contact for CARA sessional counsellors and volunteers, where appropriate.

· To raise awareness in the community and within other agencies of the short and long-term responses people may develop to sexual violence,

· To keep up to date with relevant legislation, policy and practice issues.

· To provide occasional training on sexual violence, self-harm and related issues to volunteers and other agencies.

· To work flexible hours, including some evening work and occasional weekends.

· To participate in CARA team meetings, supervision, training and development. 

· To keep appropriate records in accordance with CARA policies and procedures.

· To adhere in full to all CARA’s organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding procedures.

· To be administratively self-servicing.

· The postholder must be able to work flexibly at CARA centres across mid and north Essex.

· To report to the Child and Young Person’s Practice Manger, Head of Operations, Chief Executive Officer and Trustees as required, including the production of regular written and verbal reports, and occasional case studies.

· To undertake any other related activities as required by the Child and Young Person’s Practice Manger, Head of Operations, Chief Executive Officer and Trustees.

About CARA

CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs. 

CARA is a registered charity working with adults of all genders, young people and children from across mid and north Essex.  We have a head office in Colchester and outreach premises in Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Great Dunmow and Harwich and provide a range of remote services.

CARA seeks to be an inclusive organisation that actively encourages, supports and values diversity amongst both our service-users and our workers.  We wish to create a culture in which discrimination, in all its forms, is recognised and addressed.

You can read more about CARA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion on our website. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.

About Synergy Essex

CARA is part of Synergy Essex – the Essex Rape and Sexual Abuse Partnership. We work closely with South Essex-based SERICC and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis) to deliver the contract for the Office for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex for services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse across Essex.

Wimbledon Guild is a community charity in Merton offering practical help and support so that people never have to face life’s challenges alone. 

We've recently secured 5 years of funding to provide counselling for marginalised communities. As the Counsellor (LGBTQ+ Service) you will be providing up to 16 sessions to individuals over 18 that live, work or study in the London Borough of Merton and define as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning.

You will be responsible for all aspects of the work, including administrative procedures, following our policies and protocols, liaising with mental health services and making onward referrals where necessary.

You'll be working as part of a well-established team of colleagues, within the department and organisation. The service predominantly works within a psychodynamic framework; therefore, a working knowledge of psychodynamic thinking is crucial for all those applying for this role including the ability to work with the unconscious and counter transference process that come up for yourself and in the work.

If this sounds like you, it would be great to hear from you. Please complete an application form below, detailing in the Supporting Statement how you meet the person specification. 

Head of Children and Young People’s Counselling and Wellbeing Services

Do you want a rewarding and influential role where your success directly contributes to the protection and growth of support services for children and young people subjected to sexual violence and abuse?

This is an opportunity for an experienced and relational leader to oversee the counselling service at exciting time, ensuring the charity maintain the recent period of growth and continue to support survivors through specialist, trauma-informed services.

Stand with survivors and challenge victim-blaming attitudes.

Position: Head of Children and Young People’s Counselling and Wellbeing Services

Location: Birmingham/hybrid

Hours: 38 hours a week (full time). Hours to be negotiated (flexible working available)

Salary: £37,261 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 23rd April 2024. However, shortlisting will be taking place on a rolling basis so we advise applying as early as possible.

The Role

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join the leadership team of a specialist charity for children and adults subjected to sexual violence and sexual abuse. You will be responsible for supporting the Chief Executive in meeting strategic objectives surrounding the provision of compassionate, timely and trauma-informed CYP counselling and wellbeing support; establishing and nurturing supportive relationships with partner CYP organisations; supporting the team in collective care to grow, flourish and develop in their roles and continue leading the charity as a reflective and responsive organisation. Your role will also involve impact and evaluation, communications and operations.

You will lead in the safe delivery, strategic direction and development of the trauma-informed CYP counselling and wellbeing services. You will support the Chief Executive and work closely with Heads of Services to implement the strategic direction of the organisation, manage operations, strengthen sustainability and to continuously improve the effectiveness and impact for the CYP we support.

This position offers an established role in a leading specialist rape and sexual abuse support charity and value-led, relational and strategic service provision to help the charity achieve the CYP service mission

About You

You will be a experienced and relational leader with the ability to oversee the counselling service, with previous experience of shaping trauma-informed CYP services, therapeutically supporting CYP and leading individuals with a relational approach, this role could be for you. You will also need to show how you will live the charity’s big-hearted, bold, believing and trauma-informed values through this role. 

About the Organisation

Join an award winning, long established and well-respected specialist charity supporting children and adults of all genders following rape, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. A vibrant, growing organisation that believes survivors. If you are big hearted, can the empathy that survivors deserve and need… then we would love to hear from you!

Benefits include:

• Wellbeing support and resources
• Training opportunities and access to specialist resources
• Pension
• Mileage allowance
• Hybrid working
• Time off in lieu (TOIL)
• Awards and recognition
• 35 days annual leave, with it increasing with length of service: after 5 years’ service, it increases from 35 days to 36 days.

The charity is committed to equality and valuing diversity. This includes a commitment within the recruitment and selection processes, applications are welcome from across the community, especially applicants with a protected characteristic to join a bold, believing and big-hearted team.

We also welcome applications from individuals with lived experience of sexual trauma who also meet the person specification, so everyone can work together, engage and amplify survivors’ voices throughout all the work.

You may also have experience in areas such as Counselling, Counsellor, Lead Counsellor, Head Counsellor, Counselling Manager, Director of Counselling Services, Counselling Service Manager, Head of Service, Service Manager.

Should you hear nothing from by 30th April 2024, you may assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

Clinical Supervisor

Permanent

Part-time 17.25 hours scheduled over a 7 day period Sunday to Monday, including occasional Bank Holidays

Home Based

£27,846 (based on 17.25 hours per week)

About us

At Macmillan you'll find talented people working together to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. We're going all out to find even better ways to help even more people who need our support. Our values are at the heart of who we are and everything we do, inspiring our thinking and guiding our actions.

About the role

In this role, you will offer clinical supervision to the Macmillan Support Line teams including advisers, nurses, line managers, service knowledge specialists and other groups and individuals as needed. As part of their continuing professional development, you will enable colleagues to reflect on their practice in supporting people affected by cancer while maintaining their own wellbeing.

You will be part of a team of 3 part-time clinical supervisors and will be given opportunities to feedback on recurrent themes to the organisation. You will learn about organisational wellbeing and be a key part of a team capable of working in an emotionally challenging, fast paced, live contact centre environment.

You will be running regular small group supervision sessions (approximately 3 per day) for 1hr 15’ each, managing a caseload of approximately 25 groups monthly. You will also offer individual supervision where needed.

About you

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• You must hold one of the following qualifications: Clinical Supervision Level 6 or above; accredited Counsellor or Psychotherapist (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, UK Council for Psychotherapy, Health Professionals Council)
• Your experience of delivering both 1-1 and group supervision virtually will be essential
• Experience of delivering supervision to colleagues who provide a live, frontline, fast paced health related service is desirable

In return, we offer a range of benefits including:

• 25 days holiday plus flexible bank holiday options, increasing by 1 day every year of service up to 30 days
• Pension matched up to 7.5%
• 120+ learning and development offers, with access to external professional qualifications
• Holiday buying and selling scheme, life insurance, free wills, retail discounts and much more

Recruitment Process

Application deadline: Sunday 28th April 2024

First interview dates: May 2024

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed.

Job Title:             Hackney Service Delivery Manager 

Salary: £32,000 per annum (FTE) 

Working Hours:               28-35 hours per week (pro-rata rate)

Location: Hackney Borough based with some home working.Fixed term contract until                                                                    30th September 2025

About us at the NCT

A lot of people know NCT for our antenatal classes, and we want to continue to support as many parents and families as we can to access evidence-based information. But we are also much more than this. We are a charity that campaigns on the issues that matter to parents. We run breastfeeding and infant feeding support, provided by specialist counsellors. We run thousands of free community activities and events across the UK, led by our fantastic volunteers and peers. And we support women and families facing specific challenges, such as social isolation, feeding difficulties or poor mental health.

Our Hackney Parent Support project is commissioned by Hackney Council, to offer infant feeding support across the region in both community and hospital settings and parenting courses for families throughout the Hackney region. The support is delivered by staff and volunteer peer supporters.

We are seeking a capable NCT Perinatal Service Delivery Manager who is passionate about supporting parents and infant feeding to lead on this project.  This role is home-based but will include travel across the Hackney region (expenses will be reimbursed).

About the role

You will be responsible for managing the parent support project in its entirety across the region. Some of the key responsibilities of the role include:

• Leading on perinatal peer support across the region.
• Managing the project staff team.
• Having a good working knowledge and understanding of the local demographics in the Hackney area and ensuring all services are accessible and inclusive.
• Engaging with communities through networking with other local organisations.
• Report progress on project status, timelines and delivery against key performance indicators.
• Participate in local perinatal networking/task and finish projects, so that the programme is an integral part of the local perinatal and infant feeding provision landscape, and is able to advocate for and chaperone perinatal service users at a strategic level, raising the profile of NCT’s perinatal offer locally and nationally.

You must have good communication skills and be able to build relationships and create a rapport with a wide range of people easily. This is a large project and covers multiple locations so you must be able to confidently prioritise your own work, be highly organised and able to work independently.

Being able to make decisions and respond appropriately to our commissioners, staff, peer supporters and parents and other external stakeholders is essential, alongside good IT skills– including Outlook, Word and Excel – and you must have good attention to detail.
 
It is essential for this post that you undertake the training to become an NCT Breastfeeding Peer Supporter. This requires breastfeeding experience of at least 3 months. The training can be undertaken within your working hours. There will also be training on the EPEC (Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities course) provided by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

The role is 28-35 hours per week which will be predominantly Monday to Friday within the working day, however, will include occasional evening and weekends. This is a home-based role, however travel across Hackney will be required.

About you

• Are you willing to undertake our Peer Supporter training? (Requires minimum 3 months Breastfeeding Experience)
• Can you work at pace and juggle a number of different priorities?
• Are you passionate about supporting families to reach their parenting goals and contribute to their positive wellbeing?
• Do you want to join an amazing Charity that supports parents across the UK?
• Would you like to be part of an amazing team of passionate staff?

If so, please read the job description on our website.
 
What we offer

We are taking positive action to increase diversity throughout our organisation, at all levels, and to nurture a culture of inclusion for all our people and the parents and families that we support.  More details about our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion action can be found on our website.

We are committed to zero discrimination both internally and externally regardless of visible or invisible difference such as sex, sexual orientation, age, race, ethnicity, disability, impairment, learning difference or long-term condition, religion or belief, gender identity, economic class, marital/civil partnership, family status including single parents, socio-economic background and pregnancy and maternity.We provide reasonable adjustments and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. 

We welcome and actively encourage applications from all candidates including those from under-represented groups within NCT such as individuals from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQI+ people and people with a disability. 

The welfare and safety of individuals is at the heart of everything that we do. NCT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Closing date: 2nd May 2024 

Interview dates@ W/C 13th May 2024

Interview format: May be in person in Hackney  – venue tbc. Or Virtual video call – flexible around your working day. The interviews will be a mixture of open and competency-based questions, you do not need to prepare anything in advance.

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during your application. 

SOCIAL WORKER

When a child is dagnosed with cancer life becomes full of fear, for them and their family. Fear of treatment, but also of families being torn apart, overwhelming money worries, of having nowhere to turn, no one to talk to.

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we help children and young people (0-25) and their families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them. Join us and your skills will make a real difference to the lives of young cancer patients.

About the role

Post: Social Worker (29 hours)

Location: Hybrid - Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh

Salary: £38,072 (FTE)

We are looking for a qualified and experienced Social Worker to provide support to children and young people diagnosed with cancer and their families. The role is permanent, 29 hours per week.

Our work is rewarding but also complex and demanding; you will need to be resourceful and resilient. You will work closely within our supportive Young Lives vs Cancer team, an established NHS multi-disciplinary team and with services in the community.

Young Lives vs Cancer is open to and in support of flexible working. Your flexibility requirements and that of the role will be discussed at the interview stage with you.

This role falls under the hybrid-variable category. Your contractual base will be both Home and The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh. You will have the opportunity to work remotely / from home within the parameters of our hybrid working arrangements, but the majority of hours will be at the hospital base.

This role is subject to an Enhanced Criminal Record Check. In the event of a successful application, a Disclosure report will be sought.

We would love to hear from you if you have:

As well as current Scottish Social Services Council registration:

• Experience working with children, young people and their families/carers in a social care setting

• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary environment

• Knowledge of children and young people’s development

• An understanding of the impact of serious illness on children, young people and families.

All applicants should have excellent interpersonal skills.

Diversity declaration

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their race, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation.

We are committed to taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritized communities and creating equitable opportunities for all. We are passionately committed to taking action and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation, as well as reflective of the diverse children and young people we support.

Accessibility

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible.  Please get in touch with us if you would like to discuss any specific requirements.

What we offer

In return for your commitment, we offer a great reward package, which includes generous annual and family/ caring leave entitlements, enhanced pension and employee savings scheme.

To find out more about our benefits package, have a look at our website.

If you join us, you will be part of a community that is committed to making a difference in the lives of children and young people with cancer. Young Lives vs Cancer is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

You may have experience in the following: Human Services Specialist, Community Support Worker, Behavioral Health Counselor, Youth Services Coordinator, Mental Health Clinician, Outreach Worker, Crisis Intervention Specialist, Child Welfare.

REF-213443

Clinical Lead Counselling

We are looking to recruit a clinical lead who is passionate about making a difference and who can lead and oversee the therapeutic services.

The organisation has three decades of practical experience in supporting women, and has an approach recognised nationally for its effectiveness and impact.

If you want to help make a difference to the lives of women across Lancashire, then apply today!

Position: Clinical Lead

Location: Lancashire flexible/Hybrid working

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: £35,132 - SP38 £37,176 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: Wednesday 24th April 2024 

Interview Date: TBC

The Role

You will be responsible for the clinical leadership of the Mental Health services ensuring therapeutic delivery is in compliance with quality and safety standards with strategic oversight for effective clinical supervision for staff. The role will have responsibility to improve and maintain clinical policies and practice guidelines for the organisation in adherence to required BACP accreditation and NICE guidelines.

About You

You will hold a qualification in a Psychological therapy which may be Counselling or CBT at Level 4/5 or above, with a minimum of 3 years work at management level with relevant work areas.

This is a pivotal role in ensuring the charity can continue to provide safe and effective therapeutic support across the programmes. If you are interested in working for an all-female team and enjoy a challenge we would love to hear from you.

The charity work from female-only centres to provide safe, dedicated space for women across the county and in line with GOQ -SINGLE SEX ESTABLISHMENTS – (s7(2)(d)) this post is open to female candidates only.

You will be asked to send your CV with a maximum of 2 additional A4 statement to show how you meet the requirements of the person specification.

Why work here:

• A chance to work in a rewarding, ethical, and agile environment where every day you are really making a difference to the lives of women and girls
• Person-centred wellbeing provision
• Employer Pension Scheme - Flexible working/work-life balance
• Be involved in an organisation which put service users and co-design at the centre of all we do
• Access to health care plan
• Your Birthday Off

The Organisation

This leading charity has a core vision of creating a Lancashire where all women are valued and treated as equals. Services are available to all women, but in particular those who find themselves in situations which can increase their vulnerability or place them at significant risk of harm - and who are often facing multiple and complex needs.

You may have experience in other areas such as Counselling, Counsellor, Clinical Lead, Lead Counsellor, Counselling Clinical Lead, BACP, Psychological, Therapy Lead.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

Pete’s Dragons is an award-winning charity which provides post-vention support to those affected by suicide.

As the Charity continues to grow we need to increase the number of Suicide Bereavement Specialists who provide the Charity's post-vention offering at our Plymouth office.

Job Summary

The role of the Suicide Bereavement Specialist is to provide a proactive and timely community-based support to individuals, families, groups and/or communities who have experienced a suicide loss.

The hours for this role are flexible, with 22.5 hours/week being the minimum.

*Please note: Ability to travel is an essential part of this role.

Main duties

Support

Offer a sensitive, compassionate and needs-led service to individuals, families, groups or communities affected or bereaved by suicide.

Offer rapid response (within 48 hours), information and support to individuals, families, groups or communities who have been bereaved by suicide, in their home or other agreed settings, and follow with ongoing practical and emotional support; mainly through non-clinical interventions that promote coping and resilience so our beneficiaries can face and overcome their traumatic bereavement.

Exercise good judgement in assessing each case and establishing the most appropriate steps for ongoing support, signposting or onward referral.

Co-ordinate where necessary, a safeguarding response in line with local practices and services to ensure that an individual is safe and has an organised package of care to ensure they survive their crisis in the most helpful manner for them.

Produce an area-specific suicide bereavement resources pack to include all relevant information on support services and processes following a suicide death.

Develop strong relationships with key agencies and first responders in the area to establish ways to connect bereaved individuals in a timely and helpful manner (e.g. police, emergency services, clergy, child services, coroners, funeral directors).

Contribute to critical incident responses where appropriate and take an active role where possible.

Assist with the early identification of potential suicide connected deaths and liaise with the Pete’s Dragons suicide surveillance team and appropriate stakeholders and relevant agencies, to ensure timely and appropriate coordinated responses.

Undertake collaborative multidisciplinary work to uphold safety and support for the communities of need (e.g. working with school staff, mental health staff, peers, or family members) to ensure they are contained by well-informed communities.

Administration

Work internally with the Senior Management Team, suicide bereavement colleagues, placement counsellors and therapists and in conjunction with external agencies to ensure parity of service across the whole of the County of Devon.

Maintain timely administrative updates on the Pete’s Dragons’ case management system.

Maintain an effective and efficient diary of appointments.

Participate in the implementation and promotion of the Devon Suicide Prevention Implementation Plan and understand how the role of both the Suicide Bereavement Specialist and Pete’s Dragons fits within it.

Contribute to training/awareness raising in suicide bereavement.

Gather and report on all qualitative and quantitative data required in relation to monthly activities and casework.

Adhere to all Pete’s Dragons’ policies and procedures and ensure security and confidentiality of all related data.

Attributes

Willing to take personal responsibility for delivering high quality results.

Flexible in approach and able to work on own initiative with minimum supervision, prioritising time and workload appropriately.

Able to take an active role in community engagement in the main geographical area of operation in awareness and fundraising.

Passionate about promoting and maintaining the ethos of Pete’s Dragons which is rooted in compassion, care and hope.

The closing date for this role is 26th April 2024

Main purpose of job: To lead and develop CARA, taking overall responsibility for the operational and financial management, generating income, working closely with the board of trustees to achieve CARA’s strategic and budgetary aims, whilst ensuring compliance with statutory, contractual, and regulatory requirements.

Start date: To be agreed with the appointed candidate (subject to Enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references).

Salary: £55,000 - £60,000

Hours: Your hours of work are as required to perform the duties of your role, for a full-time employee this is normally 35 hours per week. 

Contract: Permanent

Place of work: At least two days a week in the Colchester office, with some home working, regular travel across Essex and occasional travel in the East Region.

Holiday: 25 days per year pro-rata, plus additional closure days between Christmas and New Year.

To apply: Please complete the application form, which can be downloaded from our website, explaining how your skills and experience relate to the person specification.

Application deadline:  10am, Thursday 16th May 2024.

Interviews:  Tuesday 4th June, in Colchester.

This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.

Job Description

The post of Chief Executive Officer offers an exciting opportunity to steer CARA through the next stage of its development, providing leadership to the talented and committed CARA team. The role will involve building on the considerable growth and development that CARA has achieved over the last 10 years, securing funding to ensure it can continue to provide excellent specialist services to survivors of sexual violence and take steps towards CARA's vision of a world without sexual violence and child sexual abuse.

CARA’s CEO is responsible for leading and developing CARA, taking overall responsibility for the operational and financial management, generating income, working closely with the board of trustees to achieve CARA’s strategic and budgetary aims, whilst ensuring compliance with statutory, contractual, and regulatory requirements.

The main responsibilities of the CEO are:

Strategic leadership

·Work with the Board of Trustees and the Head of Operations, and consult with staff, survivors, and others, to develop and define a clear, strong vision and direction for the future of the organisation.

·Lead on and be responsible for the creation, ongoing development and implementation of the organisation’s strategic, business and annual plans.

·Foster, model and promote an inclusive, feminist, anti-racist organisational culture that reflects CARA’s ethos and values.

·Be accountable to the Board of Trustees for the overall financial health of the organisation.

Good governance

·Report and present to the Board of Trustees on the organisation’s progress against its budgets, plans, any risks, challenges and changes, and all information relevant and necessary to the effective discharge of the Board’s duties, including strategic decision-making.

·Develop and share proposals with the Board for the implementation of its objectives and the ongoing development of the organisation.

·Support the Board of Trustees in its ongoing process of self-assessment, development and improving its diversity and representation.

·Ensure the charity meets its constitutional, regulatory and legal obligations.

Business development

·Develop and implement an income generation strategy that ensures the organisation’s sustainability and enables its sustainable growth.

·Work in partnership with the Head of Operations to develop and implement the organisational structures needed for effective delivery of CARA’s objectives and sustainable growth.

·Generate new and various funding and income opportunities through networking, developing partnerships.

• To research and identify new funding and commissioning opportunities and complete bids and applications on an ongoing basis.

·Increase the unrestricted income of the charity, including developing, proposing and implementing new and innovative approaches to its income generation activities, including working closely with the CEO of Icena.

·Be responsible for maintaining and developing strong, long-term relationships with a diverse range funders and donors, both existing and new.

Representation

• To act as lead representative for CARA in the Synergy Essex Rape Crisis Partnership, developing strong working relationships with the other partners and negotiating CARA’s role, responsibilities and the financial allocations it receives from the partnership. 
• To keep up-to-date with current developments affecting victims and survivors of sexual violence and ensure that CARA responds appropriately to these developments.
• To be the chief spokeswoman for CARA, responding to media and other enquiries as appropriate and playing a pro-active role in bringing relevant issues to the attention of the public, issuing press releases and initiating debate, as appropriate.
• Build, support and oversee strong relationships with individuals and organisations across the voluntary, public and private sectors, and in local and national government.
• To contribute to Rape Crisis England and Wales campaigns and other campaigns, as appropriate.
• To remain informed of national and regional Rape Crisis perspectives, drawing on Rape Crisis England and Wales expertise and resources as appropriate.

Organisational management

·Ensure policies and processes that support good communication, staff health and well-being, and safe and effective delivery of work are in place and adhered to throughout the organisation.

·Take overall responsibility for the staff team, its management and performance.

·Capture the organisation’s work through robust monitoring and evaluation, and ensure CARA’s impact and any learning is shared throughout the team and with the Board, survivors, funders and other partners as appropriate.

·Oversee and ensure robust financial management processes for the charity.

Other

·To oversee safeguarding at CARA, working with the Designated Safeguarding Leads to ensure effective policies and procedures are in place and communicated to staff, trustees, sessional counsellors and volunteers, and that CARA follows best safeguarding practice.

·To adhere to all CARA’s organisational policies and procedures.

·To be administratively self-servicing, and to share responsibility for a range of day-to-day tasks with the Head of Operations and other team members.

·To undertake other related activities as required by Board of Trustees.

This list is indicative only, not exhaustive. It is intended to reflect a range of duties the post-holder will be expected to perform but additional duties commensurate with the role may be required. The job description will be reviewed from time to time and may change in light of experience and changing circumstances, in consultation with the post-holder.

About CARA

CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs. 

CARA's vision is of a world without sexual violence and child sexual abuse.  As a step towards this vision, we do all we can to create a culture where victims and survivors are believed, supported and treated with fairness and respect.

CARA is a registered charity working with adults, young people and children from across mid and north Essex.  We have a head office in Colchester and outreach premises in Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Great Dunmow and Harwich. We also provide remote services.

CARA currently employs 39 full and part-time staff and has an annual income of approximately £1.6 million.

CARA's Aims

1. To provide high quality, specialist support to victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse.

2. To increase awareness and understanding of sexual violence and child sexual abuse and the impact they have on victims and survivors, challenging myths and misconceptions.

3. To promote and represent the rights and needs of victims and survivors, including advocating for a fairer criminal justice system.

CARA's Values

Feminism.  Respect.  Empowerment.  Equality

CARA is a women-led organisation and we work from an intersectional feminist perspective.  We actively seek to ensure equality of women as a service provider and as an employer.

The core values of respect, empowerment and equality underpin everything we do.

CARA's commitment to diversity and inclusion

CARA seeks to be an inclusive organisation that actively encourages, supports and values diversity amongst both our service-users and our workers.  We wish to create a culture in which discrimination, in all its forms, is recognised and addressed. CARA is committed to anti-racism and are currently developing an Anti-racism Policy. Through this work, we will be aiming to dismantle barriers within CARA to ensure we do not continue to perpetuate institutional racism and can create a truly inclusive environment for our service-users and our workers.

You can read more about CARA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion here.

We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse backgrounds.

About Synergy Essex

CARA is part of Synergy Essex – the Essex Rape and Sexual Abuse Partnership. We work with SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis) to deliver the contract for the Office for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for Essex for services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse across Essex, Southend and Thurrock. Synergy Essex also shares a number of other projects, funded by the Ministry of Justice, Essex County Council and the National Lottery Community Fund.

Our current PFCC contract ends in March 2025.  Synergy Essex intends to submit a bid for the new contract, which is expected to be put out to tender in the summer of 2024.

About Icena

CARA is a founding stakeholder of Icena - a social enterprise offering training and consultancy to eradicate sexual discrimination and violence.  The creation of Icena forms part of CARA’s sustainability strategy:  Once Icena is generating sufficient profit, a share of this profit will be used to support CARA’s work.