Associate Counsellor JBLE1_NI

Location: Nexus NI HQ in Belfast and various community venues across Northern Ireland

Hours: Sessional

Reports to: Clinical Coordinator

We are particularly interested in applications from the North West of Northern Ireland.

Remuneration and Professional Benefits: £33 per attended session. In addition, Associate Counsellors benefit from:

• Contribution towards the cost of regular clinical supervision in line with organisational requirements.
• Access to specialist training and continuing professional development opportunities.
• Flexible delivery across face-to-face, virtual and telephone-based services.

We support and empower individuals to recover and thrive through the provision of specialist counselling services, group recovery and peer support programmes. Since 2019, Nexus has managed the 24-Hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse (DSA) Helpline, funded by the Department of Health, Department of Justice and Department for Communities. We challenge attitudes, beliefs and behaviours to enhance society's understanding of sexual abuse and abusive relationships through the delivery of psycho-education workshops, accredited training programmes and self-help resources. We use lived experience, professional expertise and research to influence policy, practice and service commissioning. We are proud to have a dedicated and professional workforce committed to delivering specialist, high-quality and sustainable services that change lives.

As an Associate Counsellor with Nexus NI, you will join one of Northern Ireland's leading specialist organisations supporting individuals who have experienced sexual abuse, sexual violence and abusive relationships. With over 40 years' experience, Nexus delivers high-quality, trauma-informed therapeutic services that support individuals to recover, rebuild confidence and improve their emotional and psychological wellbeing. Associate Counsellors play a vital role in delivering specialist therapeutic interventions across Northern Ireland through face-to-face, virtual and telephone-based services. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to the delivery of safe, ethical and evidence-informed services that place the needs, choices and wellbeing of victims and survivors at the centre of care.

Nexus is committed to supporting the professional development of its practitioners through regular clinical supervision, line management support, ongoing training and continuing professional development opportunities. The overarching aim of the role is to increase each individual's emotional and psychological wellbeing through the provision of therapeutic support tailored to their unique needs, strengths and recovery journey. Nexus is committed to creating a psychologically safe and supportive working environment where practitioners are encouraged to engage in reflective practice, professional development and self-care.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide ongoing therapeutic interventions through a range of mediums including face-to-face, virtual and telephone delivery.
• Deliver trauma-informed therapeutic interventions that support individuals' psychological and emotional wellbeing.
• Safely deliver therapeutic interventions in line with organisational, regulatory and legal frameworks, including safeguarding, risk assessment and management, confidentiality and data protection requirements.
• Provide standalone support calls to individuals referring to and accessing Nexus therapeutic services.
• Signpost individuals to relevant statutory, community and private sector services to support their ongoing recovery.
• Actively engage with clinical supervision in line with organisational and regulatory frameworks.
• Maintain accurate and professional records of all therapeutic interventions delivered in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and data protection legislation.
• Attend and positively engage with line management supervision and organisational performance review processes.
• Support the development of future practitioners through mentorship of counselling students undertaking clinical placements with Nexus.
• Work in line with organisational opening hours, including evenings.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and postholders may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the role.

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria:

• Minimum Level 4 Diploma in Counselling or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum one year's supervised clinical practice (250 hours) across a range of settings including face-to-face, virtual and telephone delivery.
• Knowledge of the impact of sexual abuse, sexual violence and abusive relationships on individuals, families and communities.
• Experience supporting individuals presenting with mental health, emotional, social and lifestyle issues associated with traumatic experiences.
• Demonstrable ability to recognise and appropriately manage safeguarding and risk concerns.
• Aware of the importance of self-care and professional resilience.
• Working knowledge of CORE Net or equivalent outcome monitoring systems.
• Flexibility to work evenings and across different locations as required.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience working within the community and voluntary sector.

As part of induction, successful applicants will be required to complete a range of mandatory training designed to equip practitioners with the knowledge, confidence and skills required to safely and effectively support victims and survivors of sexual abuse, sexual violence and abusive relationships. This training will include areas such as safeguarding, risk assessment and management, confidentiality, data protection, trauma-informed practice and organisational procedures. Ongoing participation in mandatory training, supervision and continuing professional development activities is expected.

A full, clean driving licence is required for this role, as the post involves regular travel between locations in the course of normal duties. This may be through access to a driving licence and use of a vehicle, or by other suitable means, such as public transport or alternative travel arrangements.

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. In line with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended in Northern Ireland) and Equality Commission for Northern Ireland guidance, we will consider reasonable adjustments to the selection process and/or working arrangements where a disability affects an applicant's ability to hold a driving licence, provided that the essential requirements of the role can be fulfilled.

This job description is not incorporated into the employee's contract of employment. Please visit our website and download the supplementary questions for this role and submit this form along with your CV. Information on how to apply is on our website.