Counsellor
Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust believes in fairness, equity and above all values diversity in all aspects of its work, as a provider of health services and as an employer of people. We provide visa sponsorship to applicant who require a visa to work in the UK, providing the role you’ve been recruited to meets the requirements set by the Home Office.
From 4 April 2024 overseas workers requiring a general Skilled Worker Visa (such as data analysts, IT and finance professionals, etc) but sponsored by an NHS organisation will need to meet the new salary threshold of £38,700. In addition, applications to the Health and Care Visa route for those occupations paid by NHS bands that are on the immigration salary, a list of skilled jobs which have lower salary requirements, will need to meet the national pay scale for their role or the new minimum salary threshold of £23,200 (whichever is higher).We advise that you check that the role you wish to apply for meets the requirement for sponsorship before applying.
Further guidance on eligible roles can be found here- https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/different-salary-requirements
Job overview
The autonomous provision of counselling and therapy interventions within a psychological therapy service for service users in prison experiencing a range of mental health problems, working to NICE guidelines for Depression, OCD, PTSD, Anxiety and other mental health problems, using a stepped-care model.
Please note this vacancy may close early if a high volume of applications is received, we advise you to submit your applications early to avoid disappointment.
Main duties of the job- Contribute to the provision of the integrated mental health and substance use service by undertaking counselling/therapy with individual clients, or when appropriate, in groups across a range of presenting problems including anxiety, low mood and trauma but including the full range of primary and secondary care mental health difficulties.
- Use communication and relationship skills to undertake assessment of clients referred to the service, to develop an appropriate formulation and plan for therapeutic work and, where necessary, to refer on to appropriate services.
- Prioritise and manage own client caseload.
- Exercise professional responsibility for the assessment, intervention and discharge of clients, using highest level of interpersonal and communication skills when presenting and receiving complex, sensitive and contentious information to clients, family, support workers and other professionals.
- Maintain up to date clear client records and case notes in line with the policies and procedures and service standards of the Trust.
- Provide guidance and advice to relevant significant others (such as prison staff and other criminal justice professionals) in order to improve the psychological health of clients.
- Provide advice to other professionals within and external to the multi-disciplinary team, and agencies that provide services to this client group.
- Keep adequate clinical records in accordance with Trust guidelines, the BABCP/UKCP/BACP or BPS.
Working for our organisation
Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust provides community-based health services for adults and children in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and some services in surrounding areas too. These range from district nursing, health visiting and running four community hospitals through to providing very specialist community care through talented and dedicated staff.
Patients, carers and the public play a vital role in helping us to develop and improve our services and we are constantly looking for ways to work with local communities, patients and the public to innovate and improve. Have a look at the Have Your Say section of our website to find out how you can feed back your experiences and help us to continually improve.
Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust is an exciting place to work. It offers a wide range of employment opportunities for many people.
Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust positively encourages applications from all areas of the community, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs. We are committed to ensuring people who work for the community trust have a good working life - and a good work life/home life balance.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the job description and person specification attached for further information on the role.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Recognised professional counselling qualification at Diploma level or above.
- Accredited or registered with UKCP, BACP or other appropriate accrediting body.
- Evidence of continuing CPD as required by your accrediting body.
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Knowledge of range of counselling procedures and techniques acquired through professional diploma, advanced diploma/accreditation/registration or further substantial training and accredited clinical supervision plus experience.
- Professional knowledge and skills acquired through counselling training.
- Working effectively with a wide range of clients with complex needs and presenting concerns.
- Analytic and judgmental skills including the ability to assess risk and make appropriate referrals.
Experience
Essential criteria- Significant post qualification experience.
- Experience of working within the Criminal Justice system.