At Changes UK we recognise that addiction is often a response to trauma. Our dedicated team have been helping people find recovery for over a decade and having recently been awarded Lottery funding to expand our service provision to include residential detox, we have an exciting opportunity for a skilled and highly experienced Counselling Psychologist to join our team as we enter this next stage of our development.

You will be a highly motivated, innovative, compassionate and forward thinking individual with a real passion for high quality care and trauma informed working who is looking to work within an exciting and fast paced environment that provides outstanding care to a diverse service user group.

Our nationally recognised, evidence-based model is unique in that we are able to meet the presenting multiple and complex needs of some of some of the most vulnerable in our communities.

In return you will receive support and guidance and opportunities for supervision, service development, service evaluation and research, teaching, training and learning and development.

Main purpose of post

 To provide effective and integrated counselling and psychological services to clients at Changes UK, by delivering;

• Formulation, clinical assessment, counselling, psychological therapies, and other related forms of assistance to clients
• Consultations for staff, parents, significant others, funding bodies and other external agencies
• Clinical and management supervision to relevant staff or trainees from professional training programmes.

To offer training, guidance, reflective practice and support to staff on matters concerning client mental and emotional well-being. Support staff’s development of knowledge, skills and confidence to maintain and improve the quality of support offered to clients.

Active involvement in service development and in improving policies and practices within Changes UK.

 Main responsibilities and duties:

1. Provide expert evidence based psychological interventions to clients presenting to the service, both individually and in groups.
2. Offer advice and consultation on client’s psychological care to the multi disciplinary team using clinical formulation and  reflective practice
3. Provide drop-in service for clients and staff.
4. Provide professional clinical assessments, formulation and make appropriate decisions regarding the potential course of action for clients

5.Provide clinical supervision and mentor trainees from professional training programmes.

1. In collaboration with the Head of Service and other colleagues, contribute to the development of strategies, policies and practices, which ensure a healthier learning and working environment for clients and staff.
2. Review and evaluate client work through clinical and management supervision in order to ensure competence, fitness to practice and to comply with professional standards.
3. To take responsibility for specific areas of service development and delivery in consultation with the Operations Manager and Care Services Manager.
4. To participate in the training and development of staff involved in support and guidance.
5. To work within the ethical framework of BPS  and follow BPS guidelines for good practice.
6. To pursue continued professional development opportunities and actively participate in professional associations in order to maintain accreditation and also ensure increased knowledge base, self-awareness and enhanced skills.
7. To maintain appropriate electronic and written records on clients, including session notes and records of contact with other relevant parties.

Job Features

Responsibility

1. While accountable to the Operations Manager, the post holder holds full professional responsibility for ensuring ethical practice and best standards in casework (individual and group work) and also in the delivery of all other related services to clients, family members and staff of Changes UK.
2. Full responsibility for relevant aspects of casework administration and also cooperative participation in regular management and clinical supervision.
3. Along with other members of the team, assist the Operations Manager in setting and advancing the strategic direction for the service.

Planning and Organising

To plan and organise a large workload encompassing the various aspects of the job effectively and efficiently and meet specified deadlines for particular projects.

Decision Making

Responsible for prioritising all aspects of the workload, and for making clinical judgements and decisions regarding the most appropriate support or treatment options to recommend or offer.

Internal/External Relationships

1. To provide professional clinical assessment, counselling and other related support to clients; consultation to staff, colleagues from the other support services and parents.
2. Collaborate with other organisations and services in furthering development work within Changes UK.
3. Referral to and liaison with GP’s, CMHT’s, local authorities, funding bodies and other relevant internal and external sources of help.
4. Active membership of professional associations.

Problem Solving

To be responsible for the decision-making encompassed within a large and varied workload and to do so in accordance within professional standards and Changes UK policies.

 The remit of the role extends beyond individual interventions with clients and staff and includes the provision of:

• Family consultation work (usually carried out by telephone)
• Client and staff induction talks
• Group work with clients
• Staff training (academic and other support services’ staff) to enhance their understanding and skills in student mental health and wellbeing
• Supervision and mentoring of trainees from professional training courses
• Liaising with and developing collaborative projects with colleagues from other support services.

(Skills and experience in these areas are therefore an advantage)

Annual leave to be agreed with the Operations Manager and other members of staff to ensure continuity of cover for the service. Annual leave is generally taken out of semester times.

Person Specification

 Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

1. Doctorate in Counselling Psychology
2. To be registered with HCPC
3. To be accredited / registered by BPS/BACP/BABCP/UKCP or equivalent or eligible for such accreditation.
4. Training in supervision 

Desirable

1. Qualification in family therapy
2. Qualification in CBT
3. Qualification and experience in working with Psychological Trauma
4.  

Essential

1. Clinical assessment skills
2. Motivational interviewing skills
3. Consultation skills (face to face and telephone)
4. Liaison, negotiation and referral skills
5. Excellent communication skills
6. Ability to work on own initiative
7. Developed aptitude for self-awareness
8. Empathy with clients and having a good understanding of addiction and recovery
9. Ability to work cooperatively within a team
10. The confident ability to work cooperatively with a range of staff
11. Emotional resilience and stamina, and the ability to work calmly under pressure
12. Fully IT literate

Desirable

1. Family and Group therapy skills
2. Crisis management skills
3. Supervision skills for work with trainees and/or honorary counsellors on placement

Experience

Essential

1. Minimum of 2 years post qualifying counselling practice experience within an agency context or part of a defined network
2. Proven and comprehensive experience of working in a short-term / brief therapy model
3. Proven and comprehensive experience of clinical assessments
4. Proven and comprehensive experience in providing clinical supervision
5. Ability to work affectively with clients from diverse cultural and social backgrounds

Desirable

1. Experience of counselling clients in addiction and recovery
2. Experience of counselling clients with trauma and/or PTSD
3. Experience of counselling families
4. Experience of counselling clients with mental health problems
5. Experience of running psycho-educational groups and workshops
6. Experience in public speaking and delivering training

If you are interested in this position, please send a CV and covering letter (1000 words)

Relate Birmingham is looking for a well-organised and resourceful manager to run the day to day work of the main office and satellite centres, co-ordinate the delivery of counselling and other services and manage the appointments and admin team, so targets are met and an excellent client experience is achieved.  You’ll ensure we provide a welcoming environment, maintain effective administrative, financial and reporting systems and liaise regularly with clients, staff and other agencies.  You’ll help us implement new initiatives and bring our systems and processes up to date.

During the pandemic we closed down our centres and all our work has been delivered remotely via webcam and phone.  It’s been a challenging time, with many changes.  Our services are needed now more than ever, and we are ready to start building our team, opening our centres and setting up new services.

This new role is a key part of these plans.  Initially it will have a very hands-on, operational brief but there is significant opportunity for development as the organisation grows.  The priorities will be to recruit and train new admin staff, re-open our centres, and move to a blend of online and face to face counselling, supported by updated policies and procedures and the implementation of new online appointments and case management systems. 

The ideal candidate will have relevant experience, preferably in a service delivery or client focussed setting, excellent interpersonal and problem solving skills.  You’ll have staff management experience and be able lead and develop a team working at different sites.  You take a proactive approach to managing change and enjoy a broad and varied role, working as part of a small management team who are passionate about what we do.

Based at our Birmingham office, the role is full time and will require some flexibility in working hours to meet service needs, including evening cover and working at other centres or locations from time to time.

Relate Birmingham is an independent charity and member of the Relate Federation.  We operate across the West Midlands and South Staffordshire, providing a range of relationship support services including counselling, groups, family mediation and education and training to help people have better relationships and happier, healthier lives. 

Wolfram Syndrome UK Adult Support Worker

Wolfram Syndrome UK (WSUK)

WSUK is a small national charity based in West Sussex that supports children, young people and adults affected by Wolfram Syndrome (WS) and their parents/wider families. WS is an ultra-rare genetic disorder which causes a complex range of symptoms, including diabetes mellitus, vision problems, renal problems, deafness, and neurological problems. WSUK provides current, accurate and family-friendly information, raises awareness of WS among health professionals and the public, and helps to fund WS research. For further information visit the Wolfram Syndrome UK website..

WSUK Adult Support Worker Role

WSUK is seeking a part-time adult support worker (2 days, per week 0.4 FTE, £9k-£11k per annum). This home-based role will provide support to WS affected adults and their families to help improve the quality of their lives. Through liaising with professionals, external or advocacy organisations, this role will help facilitate access to the services to which WS affected adults and their families are entitled. The support worker will help adults and their families to increase their confidence and independence in living with their condition. This role will also act as an important point of contact for WS affected adults, providing advice and support in confidence. As this is a new role, there is opportunity for the successful candidate to develop the role to best meet the on-going needs of WS affected adults and their families.

Skills and experience

Applicants should have several years’ experience in a similar position, working with people affected by sensory loss, long-term medical/genetic condition, or disability. Applicants should also have a strong desire to improve the lives of people living with a long-term condition or disability and be confident in talking with people with a range of abilities and diverse cultural backgrounds.

Applicants should have experience in homeworking and be confident in working independently on their own initiative and in managing conflicting priorities.

Some limited UK travel will be required (particularly to attend adult NHS WS multi-disciplinary clinics in Birmingham, and the annual WS conference). Participation in regular trustee meetings via zoom (evenings) will also be expected. A DBS check will be required.

To apply, please email/ send your cv by July 2nd, 2021