Counsellor/Psychotherapist
About Us
The Dublin Simon Community Sure Steps Counselling Service supports client in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and Meath who are exposed to homelessness to identify and connect to their inner strengths and develop psychological coping skills as a result of engaging with evidence based therapeutic counselling interventions and supports.
The Sure Steps Counselling Service was established in spring of 2012. Since then we have become a specialised trauma informed counselling service providing emotional support to clients with a wide variety of presenting issues. All our counsellors are trained to the highest standards and adhere to their professional accreditation bodies’ code of ethics. Currently we have a team of almost 20 counsellors both pre and fully accredited.
About the job
Location: Ellen Hall Inchicore
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week / Monday to Sunday
Salary: €34,000 per year
Contract Type – Fixed Term – 9/12 Months – Maternity Cover
Reporting to Counselling +Service Manager.
Your Responsibilities
Clinical
- To conduct assessment and individual and/or group counselling/therapy with adults. The Counsellor is required to maintain a clinical caseload in proportion to other duties of the role. Assist in the development & delivery of group facilitation & training programmes.
- To establish appropriate contracts in relation to clients to facilitate the counselling process
- To attend for regular external clinical supervision in accordance with professional code of ethics and organisational policy.
- To inform and facilitate clients in accessing other appropriate mental health supports
- Facilitate informal drop in counselling clinic programme.
- Maintain accurate, confidential records of clinical practice in line with code of conduct, ethics and to operate within the organisations policies and procedures.
- Support clients who maybe presenting with suicide ideation.
Organisational
- To attend meetings, conferences etc., as required by counselling manager
- To liaise with relevant statutory and voluntary agencies
- In the exercise of his/her duties the counsellor therapist will endeavour to implement the aims, objectives and policies of the organisation.
- To assist in & undertake research projects as directed by counselling manager.
Administration & Accountability
- To prepare reports as required by the counselling manager.
- To engage in in-service and other relevant training opportunities and to keep up to date with new developments in the area of counselling
- To compile monthly statistics as required
- To implement counselling software systems as per service requirements
Service Development and Evaluation
- To play an active role in the promotion and development of the service
- To engage in clinical audit, quality initiatives and service evaluation
- To engage in administrative duties as required for the delivery of the service
- To liaise with referral agents and relevant others to ensure appropriate referral to the service, manage communication regarding queries about referrals etc.
Essential for the role:
- A degree in counselling/psychotherapy,
Or
- A Diploma in counselling and a Degree in Psychology, Social care or Social work.
- Full accreditation with a professional accreditation body.
Qualifications:
- Full or part time experience providing counselling in a social or care setting.
- Experience of counselling evaluation tools & management software applications.
- Experience of developing and delivering a range of clinical & psychoeducational groups.
- Experience of conducting client assessments
Knowledge/Skills:
- Understanding of the impact of childhood abuse and trauma.
- Understanding of why and how people become homeless and the needs they have in order to exit their situation out of homelessness.
- Assessing clients’ suitability for counselling/psychotherapy.
- Working within a range of therapeutic approaches.
- Providing short and long-term therapy contracts.
- Working effectively and confidently with challenging client processes.
- Working with traumatised clients in one-to-one and group settings.
- Responding appropriately to a range of mental health issues.
- Operating notification procedures in relation to child protection.
- Assessing risk and managing it appropriately.
- Incorporating relevant legislation, agreed policy directives and professional guidance into work practice.
- Operating professional and personal boundaries.
- Appreciation of the importance of professional and personal support systems.
- Working effectively as part of a team including working independently.
- Managing client records effectively and producing counselling reports as required.
- To evaluate information and make effective decisions.
Desirable for the role:
- Masters in counselling/psychotherapy.
- Over one-year full accreditation with accreditation body.
- Full driving license.
- The ability to speak Polish or Russian would be an advantage.
- 12 months full-time providing counselling in a homeless service. Experience of providing outreach and in reach informal counselling.
- Experience of facilitating groups to clients who are vulnerable to homelessness.
- Knowledge of the CAMS approach to suicidality.
Core Competencies of all Dublin Simon Staff:
- Commitment to providing the highest levels of quality service
- Relating with respect and compassion
- Promoting diversity and equality
- Providing quality person-centered service
- Communicating effectively
- Resilience, positive outlook openness to change
- Maintaining a safe and secure environment
- Promoting health and wellbeing
- Promoting person-centered care
- Building working relationships
- Effective professional practice, planning, organising, and problem-solving.
Benefits to working with Dublin Simon Community:
- 25 days annual leave
- 5% matched contribution to your pension
- Paid Sick Leave Policy
- Paid Maternity Leave Policy
- Bike to Work Scheme
- Commuter Travel Tax Savers Ticket
- 1st-week Comprehensive Training
- Progression Opportunities
To apply please [click here].
Please note, if you are unsure of any of the requirements, contact the Recruitment Team on (01) 635 4860
