Sessional Counsellor Vacancies

 

Would you like to come and work for an organisation which, in the words of one of our service users, saves lives?

 

North East Edinburgh Counselling Services (NEECS) has been providing free or donation-based counselling in North East Edinburgh since 1995. Service users are referred by their GP, partner organisations or come to us directly and can receive up to 12 counselling sessions to support the mental health issues they are experiencing. 

 

Due to recent funding success, we are looking for two to three self-employed counsellors to come and join us at NEECS. You will provide counselling to our clients on a one-to-one basis. We expect this to be mostly face-to-face work, although some sessions might be delivered online, if clients prefer this. 

 

Counsellors and supervisors are accountable to the Manager, who reports to the Board of Trustees.

 

Responsibilities:

  • To offer one-to-one counselling face-to-face and possibly online (minimum commitment of three sessions per week – more can be offered subject to further discussions). 
  • To undertake assessment sessions with clients at their first appointment with NEECS.
  • To regularly attend the supervision provided by NEECS, and participate in practice reviews. The counsellor must attend one of our fortnightly supervision groups (these take place on Wednesday afternoons). 
  • To regularly record information required for monitoring & evaluation, and to liaise with the Service Co-ordinator on day-to-day matters.
  • There are approximately 4-6 team meetings annually, which counsellors are expected to attend.
  • A small amount of in-house training/CPD is provided, which counsellors are expected to attend.
  • NEECS is a member of BACP and COSCA, and all counsellors must work to NEECS Code of Practice, which incorporates the Ethical Frameworks of these professional bodies.

All counsellors new to NEECS work an initial 3 month ‘probationary period’ which allows for mutual assessment, and during which they attend individual monthly supervision in addition to their group supervision. Payment of £26 per hour for counselling sessions is made, according to the Code of Practice. NEECS insurance includes practice insurance for counsellors.

 

Essential requirements:

  • Counselling training completed to a minimum of Diploma Level of a course involving face to face teaching/learning, and a supervised practice element.
  • No less than 250 hours of counselling delivered post-qualification. 
  • Experience in undertaking initial client sessions and assessing the suitability of counselling.
  • Experience of working with clients in a time-limited way.
  • Knowledge of a variety of mental health issues.
  • Ability to fulfil the team time commitment required for counselling, supervision, team meetings and training.
  • Knowledge of working with young people (16+). 

Desirable requirements:

  • Familiarity with group supervision (NEECS counsellors and supervisors work within a range of orientations).
  • An understanding of the work of counselling services in the voluntary sector.
  • Knowledge of or a strong interest in working with one or more of the following client groups: people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, members of the LGBTQI+ community, people living with mild dementia (as well as their family members), people effected by poverty and anyone else facing multiple marginalisation. 

Please note: we particularly encourage applications from individuals who are historically under-represented in the counselling profession. 

 

To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to mail@neecscounselling.org.uk. You can also use this email to ask any questions about this opportunity. Once you have submitted your application, please also complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form online.

 

Closing date for applications: Sunday 12 November 2023. 

 

Interviews: dates/times to be arranged, towards the end of November 2023.