Accredited Counsellor - Police Contract

Job Title: Accredited Counsellor
Location: Base locations in Sidcup and Lambeth, however further travel within London is required on a need must basis.
Salary: £40,000 per annum, pro rata if part time
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time or Part Time. Monday – Friday. Minimum of 3 days per week. 9am-5pm

Right to live & work within the UK is required for this role. (This role requires high level security clearance)

About Us:

Optima Health are the UK market leader of Occupational Health and Wellbeing services. Our heritage can be traced back to 1947 where we were pioneers in the provision of Occupational Health and have led the way ever since, bringing new and innovative solutions to employers across the UK. We can offer unrivalled clinical expertise and industry leading tailored solutions to our clients. We work with over two thousand businesses, in various industries, and our aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of the UK workforce by supporting healthy high performance in our client organisations, helping them to achieve their full potential through their people.

Optima Health not only provide an excellent package, but we also offer a structured induction and training programme in your first few weeks. We offer tailored career development and opportunities for further training and qualifications, to support you in your career journey. We are committed to making this a really great place to work, so together, we live by our values; We are one team, we do the right thing, we are shaping tomorrow, and we are never too big to care.

Role Summary:

As part of our ongoing recruitment drive, we are currently recruiting for Accredited Counsellors to join our team working with the MET Police. You will provide a confidential counselling and related proactive functions to staff and officers within the context of a multi-specialist occupational health team. You will adhere to the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Framework of Ethical Practice and MPS policies and processes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• To conduct weekly psychological screening appointments with clients in vulnerable roles.
• Facilitating support groups with officers & staff, focused on various mental health topics, such as bereavement, substance misuse, etc.
• Provide crisis counselling based on case-by-case need as specified by the Clinical Lead.
• To deliver trauma interventions, including major and critical incidents as reported, working within Optima and MPS policy.
• Manage own caseload, delivering short-term (up to 6 sessions) of counselling for clients with personal or work-related issues, who are off sick or at work, aiming to return staff back to recuperative/full duties.
• Intermittent, longer-term, ongoing support to suspended officers.
• Advice/support to managers about counselling services and managing a duty mailbox for urgent assessment of clients.
• Psychological risk assessment for referrals received from managers and other wider occupational health departments and act according to MPS risk management protocol.
• To deliver trauma interventions, including major and critical incidents as reported, working within Optima and MPS policy.
• Offer practical problem-solving guidance and signpost to other external agencies or internal multi-specialist occupational health team, which may include delivering presentations.
• To assess officers’ needs, plan effectively, monitor and evaluate interventions using evidence-based practice applied to individual needs.
• Any additional duties to support the duty team.

Experience, Skills, and Knowledge Required for the Role:

• BACP Accreditation is essential (or equivalent).
• Experience in substance misuse would be advantageous.
• Evidence of completion of psychological risk assessment and the ability to work autonomously.
• Experience of delivering a brief counselling model.
• Understanding of the use of IAPT measurement forms.
• A knowledge and understanding of clinical governance and risk management.
• You must have at least 3 years’ experience of working in a counselling service, occupational health, or related service offering short-term solution-focused therapy.
• CBT trained practitioners desirable but not essential.
• Experience delivering trauma-focused counselling.

What Can We Offer You?

• Excellent leadership training scheme available if you would like to progress to leadership.
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Buy and sell holiday scheme.
• Clinical Training Academy.
• Professional Registration fees paid.
• Health Cash Plan.
• Pension Scheme.
• Career progression opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Eye care test vouchers.
• Annual Flu jabs.
• Perkbox retail reward and discount scheme.
• Life assurance.

Optima Health is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants meeting the minimum criteria for the role will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, gender or gender expression, disability, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

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