Counsellor

About the role

YMCA East Surrey's Emotional Wellbeing & Mental Health team, who are part of our Children & Young People Services, are recruiting for a Counsellor to provide short term counselling support, undertake therapeutic assessments, and deliver therapy sessions either face to face or online for young people aged 11-24 years.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one counselling to children and young people, using appropriate therapeutic approaches based on client's presenting issues
• Work with a range of presenting issues, maintaining a young person-centred approach
• Ensure children and young people understand the service and can give informed consent in line with Fraser Guidelines and Gillick competence
• Liaise with parents and carers where appropriate, particularly for clients under 14 or those not meeting Gillick competence
• Apply safeguarding and child protection procedures in line with YMCA East Surrey policies
• Set clear therapeutic goals and support young people to measure progress and outcomes
• Contribute to the effective delivery and development of the service, supporting service sustainability and growth
• Liaise appropriately with school safeguarding leads when working in school-based settings
• Contribute to service evaluation through outcome monitoring, data collection, and feedback
• Maintain awareness of, and uphold, the rights of the child, supporting autonomy within the counselling process
• Maintain professional membership, insurance, and practice in line with a recognised professional body's ethical framework ie. BACP

Requirements

• Diploma (Level 4) or higher-level qualification in counselling
• Registered member of BACP
• Minimum of 200 supervised 1:1 therapeutic hours of client experience
• At least 1 year of post-qualification experience
• Excellent knowledge of safeguarding and child protection practices
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of people
• Right to live and work in the UK without restrictions (visa sponsorship unavailable)
• Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (including the Children's and Adult's barred lists) check, along with reference checks

Benefits

• Be part of a long-standing and well-respected charity
• Discounted childcare for permanent employees
• Gym membership and free access to all leisure facilities for permanent employees
• Eligibility for Blue Light Discount Retail Card
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• 6.6 weeks annual leave which increases after 2 years continuous service
• Free access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• On site parking

Pay

£17,538 - £20,628 per annum (pro-rata) (FTE £29,229 - £34,380 per annum); dependent on qualifications and experience.

Schedule

21 hours per week. Working arrangements are flexible and will be dependent on the needs of the service, to be discussed at interview.