Counsellor

Counsellor

Part Time (0.4FTE) - Permanent - High Wycombe (occasional travel to Uxbridge)

Salary - £32,332 - £36,024 pro rata

Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. That's why our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed.

Our University's DRIVE values and are at the heart of all that we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that you require.

BNU continues to experience rapid growth in student numbers, making us one of the fastest-growing higher education providers. This is an exciting time to join the University as we invest significantly in estate developments and welcome Jay Blades MBE as our inaugural Chancellor.

To provide short term counselling support to students experiencing emotional and/or psychological difficulties through evidence-based support to help them engage successfully with their studies, broaden their student experience and progression beyond study. Along with counselling support, you will be responsible for admin tasks, crisis management and to work within the policies and procedures of the counselling service and professional ethical guidelines.

What we offer:

a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)

training & development support opportunities

contributory pension scheme

discounted gym membership for our on-site gym

a range of staff discounts with major retailers.

Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees. Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank. Please click here to view our employee handbook.

If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University's values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For further information about this role please contact Meena Pervez, Counselling Manager (Clinical Lead ) [email protected]

All applications are to be made in full and online.

BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our aim is to continue to build an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU'S workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.

Closing Date: 23 February 2024

Interview Date: 8 March 2024

Please note that an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required for this position. The successful applicant will be required to give consent to check their criminal record status through the DBS. Information will be kept in strict confidence. Your offer of appointment will be subject to the University being satisfied with the outcome of this check.

If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process. The University is also committed to achieving the Race Equality Charter.

Location

High Wycombe

Contract Type

Permanent

Salary Range

£32,332 - £36,024

Hours per week

15

Closing Date

23/02/2024

Ref No

1507

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Counsellor

Faculty/Directorate: Directorate for Student Success

Grade: F

Location: High Wycombe and Uxbridge

Hours: 15 (0.4 FTE)

Responsible to: Counselling Manager (Clinical Lead)

Responsible for: N/A

Job Purpose:

To provide short term counselling support to students experiencing emotional and/or psychological difficulties through evidence-based support to help them engage successfully with their studies, broaden their student experience and progression beyond study. Along with counselling support, you will be responsible for admin tasks, crisis management and to work within the policies and procedures of the counselling service and professional ethical guidelines.

Practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves

Main Duties & Responsibilities of the role:

To be a participative member of the Counselling Team to provide responsive, professional counselling to students, including a thorough clinical assessment of each client and to ascertain their suitability for counselling.

To manage an ongoing caseload of clients which includes; seeing approximately 10 clients per week on a short-term basis (6 sessions), where necessary, longer term counselling may be required.

Provide psychoeducational workshops and group activities for students where appropriate.

To work collaboratively with colleagues e.g. Counsellors, Counselling Clinical Lead, Psychiatrist, GPs and external Mental Health resources to case manage clients who are experiencing mental health crises and who may need immediate referral and/or intervention.

To be responsible for delivering training to staff and students in collaboration with Counsellor Clinical Lead, where necessary.

To ensure a professional and effective standard of clinical practice by working within recognised professional ethical framework and the policies and procedures of the counselling service.

To undertake continuous personal and professional development in-line with your professional membership, including clinical supervision from a qualified supervisor.

To maintain confidential, accurate and up to date counselling records as required.

To make full use of all information and communication technologies to meet the requirements of the role.

Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices

Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

A = Application T = Test I = Interview

Education, Qualifications & Training

Means of Testing

Professional Qualification at Diploma, Degree or Masters level in Counselling, Psychotherapy or Counselling Psychology.

A

Working towards accreditation or accredited to a recognised professional body such as BACP, UKCP or BPS.

A/I

Knowledge & Experience

Minimum of 1 year post-qualifying experience of providing supervised therapeutic interventions to individuals, some of which should have been within an institutional setting.

A/I

An understanding of the role of the counselling service within a University setting.

I

Experience of working with young adults/ adolescents including a working knowledge of the specific issues common to this client group e.g. adolescent development; transitions; self-harm; suicide; eating disorders; drugs and alcohol; separation; procrastination; exam panic

A/I

Ability to make sound clinical judgments to identify clients at serious risk of harm to self or others and make decisions relating to best clinical practice.

I

Ability to identify and respond appropriately to clients who are in need of psychiatric support or assessments.

I

A thorough understanding of the BACP/ UKCP ethical framework and guidelines for good practice.

I

Skills

Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with colleagues within a multi-disciplinary team and wider institutional setting.

A/I

Ability to work under pressure, seeing up to 5 clients per day

A/I

A willingness to use supervision effectively to monitor fitness to practice.

I

A commitment to abide by the ethical principles as outlined by the BACP/ UKCP ethical framework.

I

Use of appropriate levels of IT skills to enable best use of available information and communications as necessary for the post.

A/I

Ability to develop and deliver training to staff and students.

I

Special Requirements

Ability to establish a relationship of trust and respect with clients and accept without bias the issues raised by them.

I

BBF (Top 3 key behavioural categories most applicable to the role)

Delivering Excellent Service

Managing Self and Personal Skills

Working Together

Location

High Wycombe

Contract Type

Permanent

Salary Range

£32,332 - £36,024

Hours per week

15

Closing Date

23/02/2024

Ref No

1507