Job title: Counselling Coordinator

About Us:
At Dublin Simon Community, we are passionate about making home a reality.

Our aim is to empower people to access and retain a home by providing housing, prevention services, addiction treatment, emergency response and other targeted interventions, through advocacy and partnership.

Requirements specific to this role:

Organisational

• To deputise in the absence of the counselling service manager as required

• Be the first point of contact with internal & external referral agents

• To allocate counselling referrals to counselling team as required

• To attend meetings, conferences etc., as required by counselling coordinator

• Manage counselling room booking systems

• Support service manager in the recruitment of volunteer counsellors

• Provide service induction to incoming volunteer counsellors

• To undertake research projects as directed by counselling coordinator

Clinical

• The coordinator is required to maintain a clinical caseload in proportion to other duties of their 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 Health Care and support services
• Facilitate informal drop in counselling clinic programme, and provide crisis interventions as needed.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records of clinical practice in line with code of conduct, ethics and to operate within the organisations policies and procedures.

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, and ensuring counselling website brochures etc, are up to date.
• To engage in clinical audit, quality initiatives and service evaluation

Requirements of all Dublin Simon staff

• Commitment to the purpose of Dublin Simon Community and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation and in the context of current legislation and regulations
• To participate in regular supervision with counselling manager
• To actively participate in team and other meetings and service reviews/ evaluations and to contribute to the development of policy and practice within your area of work and within Dublin Simon as a whole
• To report any area of concern to your Manager in a timely manner
• To show reasonable flexibility in relation to hours of attendance to meet the needs of the work. Work during unsocial hours may be required.
• Have a flexible approach to the work in response to organisational change, development and review of best practice.
• Participate in and engage with a performance management programme.
• Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role
• To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager or Health & Safety Representative
• To participate in the efficient flow of information within the organisation by sharing and seeking information as appropriate
• To undertake other duties as may be requested by the line manager from time to time
• To undertake your work in a manner that is friendly, flexible and informal.
  
  
  

Person Specification

Essential:

• A Degree in psychotherapy recognised by the IAHIP / IACP or equivalent.
• Fully accredited with IAHIP/ IACP or equivalent
• 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 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 manage 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
• Full or part time experience providing counselling in a homeless service setting.
• Experience of counselling evaluation & management software applications
• Experience in intake and allocation of client referrals
• Experience of developing and delivering a range of clinical & psychoeducational groups.
• Experience of conducting client assessments

Desirable:

• Masters in counselling/psychotherapy or mental health.
• Over twos year full accreditation with IACP/IHIP or equivalent
• Full driving license
• 24 months full time/part time providing counselling in a homeless service. Experience of providing outreach and in reach informal counselling.
• Knowledge of CORE software.
• Experience of facilitating groups to clients who are vulnerable to homelessness.
• Knowledge of the CAMS approach to suicidality.
  

Core Competencies:

• Developing external relationships
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Co-ordination and planning skills
• Critical thinking and analysis skills
• Monitoring own performance and correcting as appropriate
• Commitment to providing the highest levels of quality service.
• Respect for others
• Openness to change
• Commitment to Practice and professional development
• Good Communication
• Oral and aural, Written, Computer
• Commitment to health & safety
• Promoting choice, independence, health and well being.
• Focused on outcomes
• Commitment to effective Professional Practice and adherence to code of ethics
• Planning and organising
• Analysis & problem solving
• Initiative and taking responsibility
• Leadership
• Influencing and negotiating
• Resilience and positive outlook

Location: Dublin

Working Hours: 37.5 hours, 5-day liability, 25 days annual leave.

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