Peer Support Counsellor

Posted 13th November 2024

Peer Support Services Counsellor

Registered £33,970 or Accredited £34,913 pro-rata

22.5 – 37.5 hours per week

To be worked in person at our premises Monday-Friday, including 1-2 evening shifts per week and some Saturdays (depending on hours worked). The exact days and times are to be agreed upon following the interview.

Nottinghamshire Sexual Violence Support Services is the leading specialist sexual abuse charity, for over 40 years we have been passionately committed to supporting all adults living in Nottingham or Nottinghamshire, who have experienced sexual abuse, we listen, believe and support. We offer a single point of contact for survivors of sexual violence of any kind whether the abuse took place in childhood or adult life. We provide free services including counselling, group therapy, Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) services, telephone helpline, online and face to face services.

Our services are funded by and created in partnership with local commissioning groups and co-designed with survivors, so that we support in ways that are safe and easy to access. We understand the needs of different survivors including age, gender, or whether a person is BAME or LGBT+. We have a wide range of support options and can refer into other services as needed.

Why work for us

We are a well-respected, professional organisation that seeks continuous improvement. You will work alongside a supportive team.

The Vacancy

We are looking for Peer Support Counsellor to implement, coordinate and participate in the provision of Peer Support Service within Nottinghamshire Sexual Violence Support Services and to deliver dedicated and specialised therapeutic support via face to face, online and telephone support. This is an opportunity to support the development of a new service funded by the Big Lottery Community Fund. We work in a person centred, CBT and EMDR way offering short- and long-term counselling to empower, heal and recover from the trauma of sexual violence.

Location
This post is based in the City Centre of Nottingham.

Salary

NJC Scale Point:

£33,970 (pro-rata) – registered counsellor

£34,913 (pro-rata) – accredited counsellor

Benefits

22 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays (entitlement increases with the length of service)
Sick Leave entitlement (increases with the length of service)
Birthday Leave
Childcare/Dependant’s Leave
Bereavement Leave
Pension Scheme
Employees Assistance Programme
Professional Training and Development
Team Building and well-being days

Hours of work

22.5 – 37.5 hours per week. To be worked in person at our premises Monday-Friday, including 1-2 evening shifts per week and some Saturdays (depending on hours worked). The exact days and times are to be agreed upon following the interview.

Job purpose

To implement, coordinate and participate in the provision of Peer Support Service. To deliver a high-quality counselling service to survivors of sexual violence (aged 18+) which is safe, ethical and effective and supports key outcomes.

Responsibilities

Promote service user leadership, ensuring that service users influence the development of the peer support service to enrich people’s journey towards recovery and life fulfilment
Manage and deliver Peer Support Groups
Support the recruitment, induction, and supervision of Peer Supporter Volunteers
Encourage Peer Supporter Volunteers and service users to meaningfully and actively participate in the development and implementation of the Peer Support Service
Managing a caseload of clients and providing short- long term counselling sessions
To undertake rigorous clinical assessments and identify and action needs/risks and safeguarding matters appropriately and in a timely manner
To formulate, plan and monitor effective support plans with clients
Liaise effectively with key personnel and colleagues to contribute to the safe and productive day to day running of the counselling service

Essential experience, qualifications, and skills:

Degree in Counselling
BACP/UKCP accredited or registered
Experience of delivering Peer Support / Group Sessions/ Survivor Engagement
Experience of coordinating/working with volunteers
Experience of conducting Risk Assessments
Have in-depth knowledge of issues affecting people who have experienced sexual violence, both recent and non-recent
Experience of delivering a wide range of therapeutic approaches to mental health problems and experience of routine outcome monitoring & ability to meet agreed specified service targets.
Excellent IT and interpersonal skills

Notts SVSS recognises the positive value of diversity within its workforce and welcomes job applications from people of all backgrounds and characteristics. We particularly welcome applicants from Black and racially minoritised, disabled, LGBT+ and those with additional language skills, including British Sign Language to reflect those of the sexual violence and abuse survivors we work with.

This post is subject to satisfactory references and DBS check.

Ideally applicants must have a valid Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Level 3 Certificate prior to starting this role.

CLOSING DATE: Monday 2^nd December 2024

INTERVIEW DATE: Tuesday 10^th December 2024

Applicants who successfully pass the initial set questions are asked to download an application form. A completed application form is needed to fully apply for this post. Please note – we do not accept CVs as applications. Completed application forms should be sent to Recruitment@nottssvss.org.uk