Counsellor in Kingston upon Hull

This role requires a holistic and flexible approach to supporting young people, recognising that counselling is part of a broader package of support offered by The Warren. To provide high-quality, person-centred counselling to young people aged 14-25, with a particular focus on supporting care leavers, recognising the additional barriers and challenges they may face.

To work with and alongside other services and agencies in a collegial manner and communicate and liaise with referrers and other young people services in the best interest of the young person within the limits of confidentiality. To ensure the service is accessible and inclusive to all young people, including those with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, neurodiverse needs, and disabilities.

To practise in a non-discriminatory and inclusive manner, actively adapting support to meet the diverse needs of young people, including their gender, sexual orientation, religion, racial and cultural background, language, neurodiversity, and any disability or impairment. To help facilitate therapeutic groups on issues that young people want to explore and/or take action on as appropriate.

To work within the policies and philosophy of The Warren, including empowerment, safeguarding, risk assessment, health and safety and confidentiality and any other appropriate policies. To represent The Warren on appropriate external initiatives as negotiated with the Counselling Coordinator and The Warren’s CEO. To undertake and facilitate training with staff and young people on appropriate issues.

To meet administrative, organisational and monitoring needs of The Warren and appropriate external agencies and partners. To be flexible with working arrangements in order to meet the needs of the organisation and young people. To be committed to your own personal development and undertake appropriate ongoing professional development/training. To be committed to your own supervision as well as supporting your colleagues by engaging in peer supervision.

Main Responsibilities:

• The postholder will work holistically and flexibly, recognising that counselling sits within a wider offer of support to young people.
• Work within a team of Counsellors to deliver a person-centred service.
• To manage referrals, and to support other young people who fall into the criteria to access the service.
• To develop and maintain positive relationships with partners, including the Local Authority, to support young people, particularly care leavers, and to do so using a person-centred and trauma-informed approach.
• To collect relevant data effectively using our in-house data monitoring system and ensure entries are kept up to date and succinct.
• Support delivery of training and group work where appropriate.
• Contribute to the monitoring processes of the project, which include maintaining records, statistical recording, development planning and evaluation procedures as required.
• To carry out administrative duties as necessary and ensure monitoring systems are consistently maintained.
• Contribute to the upkeep of the environment, including shared responsibilities such as maintaining clean and welcoming spaces.
• To network with partnership organisations to maintain good relationships and develop collaborative working practices.
• To encourage young people’s longer-term participation in the wider Warren activities, if appropriate.
• Active participation in and commitment to continuous professional development, the support of your counselling colleagues and peer supervision.
• To undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may be reasonably required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this job.
• To be aware and comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
• To carry out his/her/their responsibilities with due regard to the Equality Act 2010.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade and falling within the scope of the post.

To ensure all activities and services are young person-centred and that young people are treated with respect and integrity at all times. To demonstrate a thorough understanding of the needs of young people, particularly those who have experience of the care system. To develop positive relationships with young people, dealing with challenges and difficulties.

To work in an empowering way to ensure that the voice of young people is always paramount and that any decisions made are done so in an open, honest and democratic manner. To engage in ‘The Thing’ – The Warrens bi-weekly Youth Parliament.

Getting things done: Take personal responsibility for actions and decisions and display energy and commitment to achieve results that stimulate others to succeed. Work hard to reach or exceed project outputs and targets. Accept responsibility for problems that occur and retain ownership until they are resolved, either personally or collaboratively. Manage own time and resources effectively, with appropriate planning and prioritising in advance to improve efficiency. Use initiative and be pro-active.

Flexibility: Be willing to take on extra responsibility, within your pay grade and, where necessary, to work additional or irregular hours to meet the needs of the project and the young people it serves. Put forward suggestions and ideas about new and better ways of doing things. Learn and have the ability to adjust to new situations as they occur. Demonstrate a commitment to deliver a high-quality service at all times.

Communicate effectively in individual and group situations, contributing and asking questions where appropriate. Show evidence of consistent and effective networking and partnership working. Listen to, be sensitive to and respect other people’s views and opinions. Any written work required by the role is clear, accurate and to the point. Present facts and ideas in a concise and persuasive manner. Ensure all written correspondence is fluent and structured, using appropriate style and language.

Managing Self/Relationships: Develop and maintain open and effective relationships with managers and other colleagues within The Warren. Be aware of impact of own behaviour on others and be able to modify approach or style as appropriate. Discuss differences openly and without recrimination. Be able to self-reflect. Share information and keep all relevant parties informed. Keep difficulties in perspective and maintain performance and effectiveness in the face of conflicts, tight deadlines, excess workloads and sometimes challenging behaviour of young people.

The above-mentioned duties and responsibilities should be regarded as neither exclusive nor exhaustive as the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonably determined duties and responsibilities, commensurate with the grading of the post, without changing the general character of the post. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and may be amended in light of the changing needs of The Warren.

The Warren of Hull Limited is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and employees to share this commitment. This role involves work with young people and is subject to Enhanced DBS checks. Clearance through the DBS system is required. As such this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and the applicant must disclose all previous convictions including spent convictions.

The Warren works with a diverse range of young people and respects differences in race, disability, gender, sexuality, faith background or personal circumstances and we welcome all applications. We want everyone to feel valued and included in our community and to achieve their full potential. The Warren is opposed to any discrimination and commits itself to the redressing of any inequalities by taking positive action to challenge any perceived forms of discrimination as appropriate.