Adult Practitioner (Counsellor)

Main purpose of job:   To provide specialist counselling and support to adults who have experienced rape, sexual violence or sexual abuse. The role includes mentoring 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.

Hours: 28 or 35 hours per week (to be agreed).

Contract:  This will be a one-year fixed term contract in the first instance, but we hope to secure funding to extend.

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: 9am, Tuesday 16th April.

Interviews:  Monday 22nd April.

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 adults who have experienced rape, sexual violence or sexual abuse. The role includes line-management of sessional or volunteer 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 adults, holding a caseload of clients.

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

• In the first instance the post is likely to cover Braintree, Clacton, Colchester and Chelmsford but the postholder must be able to work flexibly at CARA centres across mid and north Essex.

• To liaise with other agencies and attend meetings, where required, ensuring best support for clients with multiple and/or complex issues.

• To mentor CARA sessional counsellors and volunteers, where appropriate.

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

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

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

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

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

• To work flexible hours to meet the needs of our clients, including some evening work and occasional weekends.

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

• To be administratively self-servicing.

• To report to the Adult Practice Manger, Head of Operations, Chief Executive Officer and Trustees as required, including the production of regular written reports and verbal reports.

• To undertake any other related activities as required by the Adult Practice Manager, Head of Operations, Chief Executive Officer or the Chair of the Board of 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.  We also provide 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 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 for Essex for services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse across Essex.