Counsellor

Derwen College is an Ofsted 'Outstanding' college. We support students with learning difficulties and disabilities to live the life they want and to be as independent as they can be. We work hard to develop the skills needed for employment and independent living - our aim is to recruit the best staff possible to deliver this first class experience to our students.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a counsellor to join our therapies team, working part time 15 hours per week. You will provide a confidential counselling therapeutic service for young people, with a variety of learning disabilities, working within a multi-disciplinary Therapies team.

We are a Disability Confident employer and we offer a guaranteed interview scheme for suitable applicants.

The role of counsellor:

• Providing individual 1:1 Counselling therapy to students,
• Using a person-centred approach to therapy, some Solution-focussed work and using CBT strategies, as and when required
• Plan, develop and deliver intervention work such as working with small groups of students on aspects of wellbeing including mindfulness, improving self-esteem and identifying emotions, etc
• Develop a bank of visual resources for students in order to promote inclusivity
• Identify and design activities to meet learning objectives and outcomes
• Effectively assess students for their needs, tailoring therapy according to individual requirements
• Active involvement, contribution and participation in team delivery and development of Independence provision for students to empower students to develop their quality of life
• Create a positive culture regarding mental health issues and raising awareness
• Accurately maintain timely records of support and ongoing action and securely store all records on the College’s database, Nourish, ensuring that all records comply with data protection legislation and ethical framework
• Creative solutions in working with students who may have communication difficulties or diagnosis need that are affected by anxieties related to their condition and self-harm, gender issues, anger/frustration
• Provide training for staff
• Offer reflective supervision to wider College staff members
• Conduct all work within relevant legislation, professional codes of conduct, and the Counselling/Safeguarding policies and procedures
• Keep abreast of current research in student counselling / young people’s mental health
• Seek future improvements, including identifying training needs, service deficits and making recommendations for continual service improvement
• Members of the Counselling team may be requested to coordinate a trainee/volunteer placement and/or supervision of trainees/volunteers whilst on placement

Person Specification:

• Must possess a Level 4 Counselling Diploma or Counselling Degree (or equivalent)
• Applicants must be BACP or UKCP registered, or equivalent (accreditation desired)
• Working with a range of Counselling interventions, such as CBT, Solution-focussed Therapy, Person-centred therapy, Mindfulness techniques
• Experience of working with children / young people with learning disabilities/difficulties, with knowledge of spectrum conditions, PDA, ADHD, etc
• Have an understanding of the grief process, anger management, trauma and some mental health conditions
• Experience of facilitating staff training
• Must possess a sound understanding of safeguarding practices/procedures
• Relevant experience of working with supporting agencies such as CAMHS, Children’s Services, Social Services, etc
• Be passionate, resilient and able to drive change
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop good working relationships both internally and externally
• Proven IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office/Outlook
• Being encouraging, giving/offering support and empowering others
• Delivering support with kindness, consideration, dignity and respect
• Have knowledge of Zones of Regulation and experience of implementing strategies
• Knowledge of CQC framework and external quality standards

​We can offer the right candidate a well-resourced and modern working environment, situated in a beautiful rural setting.  We have a fantastic array of employee benefits including on-site shopping and leisure facilities (including a Gym and Swimming Pool), College pension scheme, enhanced family-friendly policies, generous annual leave, staff discounts and extensive continual professional development opportunities.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and adults at risk and expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.