At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide trauma-informed counselling to survivors of violence across London.
- Company: Join Solace Women's Aid, a leading intersectional feminist organisation.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous holiday, training opportunities, and wellness programmes.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and supporting employees with disabilities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of survivors while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Diploma level qualification and 250 hours of post-qualification counselling experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ 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 as a Counsellor 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
Our counselling service provides trauma-informed, one-to-one counselling for survivors of violence against women and girls (VAWG), offering between 15–20 sessions of therapeutic support. We support survivors across London through community-based services, as well as refuge-based counselling for both children, young people, and adults. Our work is centred on providing safe, empowering, and compassionate support to individuals recovering from abuse and trauma.
About the Role
The ideal candidate will provide high-quality online or face-to-face trauma counselling to survivors of sexual and domestic abuse ages 16 across London. The successful candidate will work from a person-centred approach with a thorough understanding of the issues prevalent in the gender-based violence sector and understanding of the root causes of gender-based violence. They will be able to provide weekly therapeutic sessions either online (using MS Teams), by telephone, or face-to-face.
About You
Successful applicants will have knowledge of domestic abuse and its impact on victim-survivors. You will have strong organisational and time management skills, alongside excellent collaborative working abilities. You will also be empathetic and able to work from a person-centred framework. It is essential that you have experience using Microsoft Office packages, as well as the ability to use an online case management system. You will also have experience and confidence in delivering counselling online and over the phone, alongside excellent verbal and written communication skills. You will be qualified to Diploma level and have a minimum of 250 hours’ post-qualification experience providing one-to-one counselling. Successful applicants will be BACP accredited (or equivalent) or working towards accreditation.
What we can offer you
- Flexible working
- 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: Values, Behaviours & Competencies 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. No agencies.
Counsellor in London 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 intersectional feminism, the organisation offers flexible working arrangements, generous holiday entitlements, and extensive learning and development opportunities, ensuring that employees can grow both personally and professionally. Located in London, Solace Women's Aid not only provides meaningful work that makes a real difference in the lives of survivors but also fosters a culture of inclusivity and support through various employee benefits and wellness initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Counsellor in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the counselling field, especially those connected to feminist organisations. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by researching the organisation's values and mission. Make sure you can articulate how your experience aligns with their commitment to being survivor-led and trauma-informed.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. We want you to sound genuine and passionate about helping survivors of violence against women and girls.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our amazing team at Solace Women's Aid.
We think you need these skills to ace Counsellor in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Values:When writing your application, make sure to highlight how your personal values align with ours. We’re all about feminism and intersectionality, so let that shine through in your supporting statement!
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Take the time to address each point in the Job Profile Document. We want to see how your knowledge, skills, and experiences fit with what we’re looking for, so be specific and relevant!
Be Person-Centred:Remember, we’re looking for someone who understands the importance of a person-centred approach. Share examples from your experience that demonstrate your empathy and ability to support survivors effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly, and we can’t wait to read what you have to say.
How to prepare for a job interview at Solace Womens Aid
✨Know Your Values
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on how your personal values align with those of Solace Women's Aid. Be ready to discuss your understanding of feminism and intersectionality, and how these principles guide your work as a counsellor.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past counselling experience that demonstrate your trauma-informed approach and your ability to support survivors of violence. Highlight any relevant training or qualifications, especially your BACP accreditation or progress towards it.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Role
Make sure you understand the specifics of the counselling service offered by Solace Women's Aid. Be prepared to discuss how you would provide one-to-one sessions, whether online or face-to-face, and your approach to working with diverse clients.
✨Practice Empathy and Communication
During the interview, showcase your empathetic nature and strong communication skills. Practice active listening and be ready to engage in a conversation about how you would create a safe and empowering environment for clients recovering from trauma.
