Accredited Counsellors (IN PERSON)

Overview You will join an experienced, well-supported team working to make a real difference to people, helping us maintain our excellent reputation within Surrey. You will provide Person-Centred Experiential Counselling interventions for Depression to a wide range of clients. The role will be on-site, with a minimum of 2 days a week working from our dedicated hub in central Dorking, with financial incentives for additional days on-site. You will have the opportunity to have a mix of virtual and on-site work, including face-to-face, video/telephone, workshops and courses across your week. You will receive high-level clinical supervision, case management, clinical skills and group supervision, as well as regular line management, daily duty support, and excellent CPD opportunities (e.g., PCE-CfD supervision training or other High Intensity modalities, depending on service need).

You will have the opportunity to develop your clinical and leadership skills depending on your career goals, for example, providing reflective supervision, both 1:1 and group, and by getting involved in the planning and delivery of CPD for the team. You will be fully supported to pursue skills development and career progression, and we offer a range of opportunities within and outside of the counsellor role. You will have the opportunity to lead in a champion role to support your colleagues and increase access to communities less likely to access the service.

Main duties of the job Please note: The salary offered is applicable to applicants who have received the PCE-CfD practitioner qualification. If you are currently working towards this qualification, the salary offered will be from £38,682.

For this role, you will need to demonstrate the following:

• Full accreditation with BACP, NCS, UKCP, BPS, AOC and/or BPS
• PCE-CfD practitioner qualification or eligibility to work towards this qualification
• Experience of completing assessments and high-intensity counselling with people who have experienced mental health difficulties, preferably in primary care.
• An ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision.
• If hybrid working is desired, access to a suitable and safe working environment is required to work from home part of the week.
• Skills to manage your own workload under pressure and meet agreed targets.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively and develop a good rapport with clients and colleagues.
• An ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships.
• A positive can-do attitude and the commitment to support the mental health and well-being of Surrey residents
• Sufficient IT skills for electronic record keeping and virtual working (if desired)

About us DHC is a GP Federation dedicated to supporting people in Surrey by providing high-quality healthcare. By working together, we develop health services that help our patients stay well, are efficient and meet the needs of our local stakeholders, and place people at the centre of everything we do. We provide a wide range of quality healthcare services, including elective care, Talking Therapies, and community healthcare, which we integrate and coordinate with primary care. We value our team and provide strong leadership with great professional development in a fun and friendly environment. DHC is working at the centre of the local health system to evolve and deliver integrated care, and that requires strong partnerships with many organisations. In all of our services, we aim to put the patient at the centre of their care, make sure our services are easy to access by local patients and reduce waiting times. We are well placed to influence the wider system in making good choices for our population.

• Competitive salaries with the opportunity to earn an additional 2.5% of salary/day for increased onsite working
• Excellent support and career development
• Flexible working and buying or selling leave
• NHS Pension scheme and a minimum of 27 days annual leave (plus Bank holidays)

DHC actively encourage and promotes diversity, ensures all voices are heard and included and is committed to equal opportunities for all.

Job responsibilities We understand that work-life balance is important; therefore, there is an opportunity for an agreed flexible working pattern.

We have hubs across Surrey, in Walton-on-Thames, Woking, Guildford, Epsom, Redhill, Dorking and Oxted. If you are interested in the role but would prefer to work on-site in one of our other bases, please do apply, but make your preference clear on the application.

Pleasenote: We do not have vacancies for 100% remote counsellors at this time.

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be part of an NHS Talking Therapies (previously IAPT) service and will provide Counselling at a high intensity level. The post holder will work with clients who have a range of psychological problems using therapy recommended by NICE guidance and the NHS Talking Therapies manual.

The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities. It is essential that the post holder exercises initiative and independent judgement whilst maintaining a high level of confidentiality and diplomacy at all times. In addition, the post holder is co-responsible for managing, maintaining and administering various data sources, which may include waiting lists, caseloads, or clinical reporting. Responsible for ensuring accurate data is recorded for national target requirements.

Role of the Department The post holder is expected to work accurately under pressure with the ability to manage and prioritise their workload and that of the department, providing and receiving information which may require tact, diplomacy and persuasive skills as there may be barriers to understanding, either due to a cultural difference or knowledge of the process.

Key Working Relationships Service Manager

Clinical Lead and senior team

Line Manager

Administration team

Therapists and other clinical staff

Social services

NB: This list is not exhaustive as the Post Holder is required to communicate with a wide range of external/internal departments and agencies at all levels.

Duties and Responsibilities 1. Clinical

1.1. Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service

1.2. Assess clients for suitability for psychological interventions

1.3. Make decisions on the suitability of new referrals, adhering to the department's referral protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary.

1.4. Formulate, implement and evaluate therapy programmes for clients.

1.5. Use highly developed communication skills in working with people to understand their personal and often very sensitive difficulties

1.6. To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment and treatment of clients in line with the service.

1.7. Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary, conveying psychological formulations with sensitivity in easily understood language.

1.8. 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.

1.9. Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.

1.10. Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.

1.11. Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols

1.12. Work closely with other members of the team, ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.

1.13. Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process

1.14. Carry out clinical audits of service performance, including service user surveys and evaluations, and help to collate and disseminate the results for feedback.

1.15. Liaise with other health and social care staff from a range of agencies in the care provided to clients.

1.16. Provide specialist advice and consultation to other professionals / individuals / groups / committees across Mental Health Trusts, Primary Care Trusts and other voluntary agencies regarding service matters related to the practice and delivery of specific agreed therapeutic modalities and service provision.

2. Training and Supervision

2.1. Contribute to the teaching and training of mental health professionals and other staff working in the service.

2.2. After completion of supervision training, supervise staff in the service as appropriate.

3. Professional

3.1. Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (BACP, UKCP, and others), and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the Department of Health (e.g. NHS Talking Therapies Manual, NHS plan, Positive Practice Guides, National Institute for Clinical Excellence).

3.2. Ensure that client confidentiality is always protected.

3.3. Provide a professional and neutral environment when delivering video appointments

3.4. Be aware of and keep up to date with advances in the spheres of counselling and other psychological therapies.
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