Job Description

Job Title Community ServicesCounsellor

LocationBolton Sensory Centre at Thicketford, Tonge Moor, Bolton

Salary£5,015.921 day per week (£13.78ph)

BandH8

Hours per Week7 hours per week, fixed term contract until 30.9.19

Annual Leave25 days plus 10 Statutory holidays (pro-rata for part time / term time roles)

Reports toBolton Team Leader

DBS Check Enhanced DBS check for adults and children

Henshaws:

Henshaws Community Services enable people of all ages living with sight loss and a range of other disabilities to make informed choices about their future.

Henshaws community services has receivedfunding from Bolton Council to deliver counselling services in Bolton for people with sight loss and supports Henshaws Pathway to Independence delivery model.

As a Community Services Counsellor you will provide early intervention mental health and emotional support to people who are experiencing difficulties due to their sight loss.

You will play a key role in helping people along our pathway to independence; you will offer expert support, guidance and skills to help individualsfulfil their potential.

Independence and friendship are at the heart of what we do to help people find the confidence to go beyond their expectations.

Key duties will be to develop and deliver a 1-2-1 counselling programme in the Bolton locality for people with sight loss.

Key responsibilities:

  • To deliver and coordinate Henshaws pathway to independence delivery model with specific focus on; 1-2-1 counselling, person centered planning to enable individuals to access Henshaws independence matters and friendship matters programmes.
  • To deliver a community based counselling service across Bolton in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework (including: client assessments (including mental health), assessment of risks and suitability for short term counselling and/or onward referral).
  • Maintain a case load of clients, record keeping of cases and establish relevant systems (e.g. case notes, client evaluations, data protection and FOI) to monitor the performance of the counselling service and provide relevant data, reports and management information as required.
  • To liaise with the community enablement team to establish an appropriate referral route which will assess and determine the suitability and clinical appropriateness for structured counselling together with identifying risk and safeguarding concerns.
  • To offer time limited (6 weekly blocks) counselling to people living with sight loss together with offering rehabilitation and enablement interventions (supporting resilience, advice and liaison) to those deemed inappropriate for structured counseling.
  • To liaise with the wider community services team to promote, supportand refer into Henshaws pathway to independence delivery modelto increase referrals into our independence and friendship programmes.
  • To develop a strong working relationship with the Henshaws patient support service, First Steps Team and enablement officers, ECLO’s (Eye Clinic Liaison Officers)and partners to maximise referrals in to the service.
  • To manage own caseload to maximise the number of opportunities for people living with sight loss to access the service.
  • To network with other relevant Health and Social Care agencies to provide an holistic support package to people living with sight loss who could have other health conditions.
  • To promote Henshaws Pathway to Independence delivery model to partners and other community groups. To provide information, advice and training to Henshaws staff to enable them to identify and react to key signs associated with social isolation, anxiety and depressions and react accordingly.
  • To data input into Henshaws systems to ensure all beneficiary information is accurately captured and maintained.
  • To collate and analyse outcome data for each client to ‘effect size' the therapy sessions following BACP guidelines.
  • To provide monthly monitoring and reporting against key performance indicators to meet the programme’s specific outcomes and objectives to comply with our funding agreements.
  • To liaise with internal and external staff across the Society in the development and delivery of Henshaws Community services.
  • To work closely with the partner venues and the local authority sensory team to ensure all project outcomes are met effectively.
  • To promote Henshaws Community Services in conjunction with the Community Enablement Officers and the Bolton Team Leader.
  • Reinforce agreed rehabilitation actions and good practice with centre staff and others who support service users in their rehabilitation needs.
  • To be aware of and ensure compliance with legal requirements and internal policies

General Requirements

  • In undertaking these duties Henshaws Society for Blind People expects employees to adhere to legislation, policies and procedures including health and safety, equal opportunities, fire and smoking policies and the Employee code of conduct, with particular reference to Safeguarding.
  • Attend all Henshaws mandatory and compulsory training sessions, taking responsibility to ensure training is up to date at all times.
  • Take responsibility for your own personal and professional development, including CPD where appropriate.
  • Facilitate training and knowledge sharing across Henshaws Society, and other providers where appropriate.
  • Offer a flexible approach to working hours to meet the needs of the organisation.
  • Represent Henshaws in professional manner at all times, contributing to marketing and recruitment activities for Henshaws Society as required.
  • The employee may on occasions be called upon to undertake work in other locations in order to ensure obligations to students, service users and third parties are fulfilled.
  • Comply with Henshaws Health & Safety requirements and be aware of and adhere to current Henshaws policies and procedures.
  • Any other duty as required by the line manager commensurate with the post.

Person Specification

In order to be shortlisted you must demonstrate that you meet all the essential criteria and as many of the desirable criteria as possible. Where we have a large number of applications that meet all of the essential criteria, we will then use the
desirable criteria to produce the shortlist.

All disabled candidates who meet the minimum essential criteria will be included on the shortlist.

Criteria / Essential or Desirable / How Identified
Application form / Interview / Selection test/copy of certificates.
Skills and Experience / Understanding of the needs of clients with visual impairments and/or other disabilities. / Essential / Application form
Interview
A minimum of 450 clinical hours (post qualification) or UKCP minimum of 4 years advanced clinical training and a minimum of 450 clinical hours / Essential / Application form
Interview
Good understanding of promoting independence and supporting people to set personal plans. / Essential / Application form
Interview
Ability to provide a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s needs / Essential / Application form
Interview
Proven experience in providing people with Information, Advice and Guidance. / Essential / Application form
Interview
Proven experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to maximize outcomes for an individual. / Essential / Application form
Interview
Excellent interpersonal skills / Essential / Application form
Interview
IT literate with a working knowledge of MS office including Word, Outlook and Excel / Essential / Application form
Excellent case management, time management skills with the ability to prioritise and delegate work effectively / Essential / Application form
Interview
Proven experience in meeting and reporting on specific outcomes / Essential / Application form
Interview
The ability to work flexibly and to respond to changing situations / Essential / Application form
Interview
General &
Specialist Knowledge / Experience of delivering programmes to people with a disability. / Essential / Application form
Interview
Understanding of effective multi-agency partnership working / Essential / Application form
Interview
Experience, knowledge or understanding of specialist methods of communication, i.e. Braille, BSL, Makaton etc. / Desirable / Application form
Interview
Education &
Training / A relevant professional qualification in Counselling, Psychotherapy at Diploma level or the equivalent. / Essential / Application form /
Certificates
Willingness to complete training for continued professional development / Essential / Application form
Certificates
Accredited with BACP, UKCP or equivalent or eligible to work towards accreditation. / Essential / Application form
Special
Requirements / Commitment to the aims and mission of Henshaws / Essential / Application form
Interview0
Enthusiasm to work with people to encourage learning and independence / Essential / Application form
Interview

Henshaws will make every endeavor to make any reasonable adjustments for applicants who require assistance in carrying out their duties due to a disability.

Henshaws is committed to safeguarding vulnerable adults and children. The post holder may be required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure check including barring lists for Adult and/or child barring services.

Henshaws is committed positively welcomes applications from all sections of the community.