At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide trauma-informed counselling to survivors of sexual violence in a supportive environment.
- Company: Join Solace Women's Aid, an intersectional feminist organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension contributions, training opportunities, and wellness programmes.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with strong support for diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Why this job: Be part of a dedicated team empowering survivors and promoting diversity and equity.
- Qualifications: Diploma-level qualification and 250+ hours of counselling experience required.
The predicted salary is between 31000 - 31000 € per year.
Are you looking for a rewarding role working for an intersectional feminist organisation? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our team at Solace Women's Aid. You will be joining a team of committed and inspiring individuals whose dedication has saved the lives of thousands of women, men and children in the capital. We are looking for friendly and diligent individuals to join our services and help us make a difference. Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work, and we are committed to the principles of being survivor‑led, trauma‑informed, empowering, diverse, anti‑racist and anti‑discriminatory.
About the Service: The London Survivors Collective is comprised of seven organisations (The four London Rape Crisis Centres, Galop, Survivors UK and Respond) working together to provide comprehensive support to victim/survivors of sexual violence across London. Our alliance model enables us to draw on each member’s expertise and provide all victims/survivors with the specific care that is tailored to their needs. Services are tailored for women, men, non‑binary, LGBTQ+, disabled, neurodiverse victim/survivors addressing intersectional and unique needs. North London Rape Crisis at Solace supports women and girls, transwomen and non‑binary people aged 11+ who have experienced sexual violence at any point in their lives.
About the Role: This is an exciting time to join Solace Women’s Aid and North London Rape Crisis (NLRC). The NLRC Counselling Service provides specialist trauma‑informed counselling to survivors of sexual violence and abuse. The postholder will hold 1:1 counselling sessions with survivors aged 11+ who have experienced any form of sexual violence or abuse at any point in their lives. The postholder will provide this service primarily in the evening hours, with a minimum of one evening a week in person at our Islington office. The postholder will ensure diversity and equity is at the centre of the service and service delivery, and that the service continues to be responsive to and meet the needs of all survivors in a trauma‑informed, anti‑oppressive way.
About You: Successful applicants will have knowledge of sexual violence and its impact on victim/survivors. You will have strong time‑management and organisational skills, excellent collaborative working skills and knowledge of the impacts of sexual violence on survivors. You will also be empathetic and work from a trauma‑informed, person‑centred framework. While experience of working with children aged 11+ is desirable, we welcome applicants who have experience of working with survivors aged 13+. It is essential that you have experience of using Microsoft Office packages and the ability to use an online case‑management system. You will also have excellent verbal and written communication skills. You will hold a Diploma‑level qualification and have completed at least 250 hours of post‑qualification one‑to‑one counselling experience. Successful applicants will be BACP accredited (or hold an equivalent qualification), or be actively working towards accreditation.
What we can offer you: We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:
- Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Employer pension contribution
- Family‑friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay
- Access to Inclusion Networks
- Daily clinical debriefing
- Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice
- Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits and savings
- Flow & Restore yoga classes
- Meditation sessions
- Cycle to Work Scheme
How to apply: When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferrable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document: Knowledge, Experience and Skills. Solace Women’s Aid values diversity, promotes equity and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives and lived experiences. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect. We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long‑term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.
This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2)(e) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre‑employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.
Position Details: N19 £31,000 per year (Fixed Term Contract – until 31st March 2027)
Counsellor (Sexual Violence Services) employer: Solace Womens Aid
Solace Women's Aid is an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a supportive and empowering work environment for its staff. With a strong focus on learning and development, generous benefits, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are encouraged to grow both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the lives of survivors of sexual violence. Located in Islington, the organisation fosters a collaborative culture that values intersectionality and trauma-informed care, ensuring that every team member feels valued and supported in their vital role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Counsellor (Sexual Violence Services)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field of sexual violence services, attend relevant events, and connect with organisations that align with your values. You never know who might have a lead on a job or can offer you valuable insights.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to trauma-informed care and intersectionality. We recommend role-playing with a friend or using online resources to get comfortable discussing your experience and how it aligns with the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for the cause! When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, share why you’re committed to supporting survivors of sexual violence. Your genuine enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Counsellor (Sexual Violence Services)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Values:Make sure to highlight how your personal values align with our feminist and intersectional approach. We want to see your passion for supporting survivors and promoting diversity in your application.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:When writing your Supporting Statement, directly address each point in the Job Profile Document. We love it when applicants connect their skills and experiences to what we’re looking for, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that showcase your qualifications without unnecessary fluff. Remember, clarity is key!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and can get back to you as soon as possible.
How to prepare for a job interview at Solace Womens Aid
✨Know Your Values
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your own values and how they align with the core principles of the organisation. Be ready to discuss how your commitment to feminism, intersectionality, and anti-discrimination can contribute to the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your knowledge of sexual violence and its impact on survivors. Highlight your counselling experience, especially any work with diverse groups, to show you understand the unique needs of different individuals.
✨Practice Trauma-Informed Responses
Since the role requires a trauma-informed approach, think about how you would handle sensitive topics during the interview. Practise responses that show empathy and understanding, and be prepared to discuss how you create a safe space for clients.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions ready to ask. This could be about the team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, or how the organisation measures the effectiveness of its services. It shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
