Student Support Services / Centre for Wellbeing (CWB) Professional Services Level 4. Senior Counsellor

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1 Post Details Last Updated: 5/0/04 Faculty/Administrative/Service Department: Student Support Services / Centre for Wellbeing (CWB) Job Title: Job Family & Job Responsible to: Responsible for: Counsellor Professional Services 4 Senior Counsellor Job Purpose Statement To provide psychological support to staff and students in the University in order to enhance students and employees wellbeing and full engagement with work and community. Problem Solving, Accountability and Dimensions of the role The post holder is a qualified professional with relevant expertise and experience in the application of psychological therapies to individuals and groups. They will work in a proactive and collegiate manner, organising and prioritising their work, in order to effectively respond to individual and group requests for a range of interventions. One of the key skills required of the post holder, is the application of a high degree of emotional intelligence and use of tact and diplomacy in communicating sensitive issues when supporting clients in challenging or complex circumstances. It is expected that the post holder will assess and evaluate each situation based on experience, knowledge and judgement to provide an appropriate level and type of support. In each case the further implications of the advice given must be recognised and taken into account when presenting solutions. The post holder must demonstrate a good working knowledge and appreciation of the psychological therapies, as well as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) thical Framework. They are required to apply and interpret this know-how on a frequent basis in order to make thorough and reasoned evaluation(s) of the situation, and to provide appropriate advice. Whilst actions are guided by well-established professional and internal guidelines/frameworks, the post holder has the freedom to consider which of these should be followed to achieve the desired outcomes. The post holder is required to deal with at times complex/multi-faceted problems, which require the post holder to exercise reasonable personal initiative and judgment and to provide solutions to those cases encountered. The post holder is required at times to apply analytical, interpretive and constructive thinking, as well as a high degree of evaluation. Where the post holder faces issues/problems where they feel at risk themselves or which are of a more complex nature and fall outside of the scope of the post holder s experience, guidance may be sought from peers, review meetings or from the Senior Counsellor. All contact with staff and students must be carried out to the highest standards of professional skill. Due to the nature of the work, errors in judgement regarding any advice they provide to students/staff within the Centre for Wellbeing, may result in emotional distress to the individual and potentially damage the reputation of the University. The post holder is required to suggest improvements or developments to current working practices in consultation with colleagues and their line manager, in order to ensure the work of the Centre is continually developed. The post holder does not have any budgetary or supervisory responsibility. Background Information/Relationships The Centre for Wellbeing comprises a dynamic and integrated team of professional counsellors, psychotherapists and counselling psychologists, nurses and advisors with a wide range of expertise and backgrounds. The Centre promotes the awareness of good emotional, psychological and physical health and highlights the benefits associated with this important area of employee and student life.

2 Work is carried out both in the Centre and across the campus. There is a dual emphasis to the work working with individuals and working with groups. The underlying ethos of the Centre is to engage with problems and complexity as well as focusing on strengths and opportunities. The work is varied throughout the year and at times can be pressured. Then individual should be comfortable working with a range of styles and interventions. The post holder is expected to meet regularly with the Senior Counsellor, to discuss issues relating to all aspects of wellbeing on campus and the operation of the service. They will also meet informally with colleagues within the Centre on a regular basis to discuss aspects of their work, in particular issues relating to risk management. The post holder is expected to contribute to the growth and development of the Centre by playing an active role within it. The post holder is part of a broader, supportive community in the University team and should be comfortable liaising and conversing with a range of staff including staff in Student Support Services, Additional Learning Support, HR staff, personal tutors and other academic and non-academic staff as required. The Centre is actively engaging with and developing a research and evidence based culture and it will be important for the individual to work with this. The post holder requires good communication skills, should be comfortable talking with diverse groups and able to express ideas and outcomes clearly in writing. The post holder is required to undertake professional supervision in line with BACP, UKCP or BPS requirements and commit themselves to an ongoing programme of re-accreditation and Continuous Professional Development. For clinical work, the post holder is expected to meet with a clinical supervisor on a regular basis in line with the professional guidelines of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) or British Psychological Society (BPS). This job purpose reflects the core activities of the post. As the Department/Faculty and the post-holder develop, there will inevitably be some changes to the duties for which the post is responsible, and possibly to the emphasis of the post itself. The University expects that the post-holder will recognise this and will adopt a flexible approach to work. This could include undertaking relevant training where necessary. Should significant changes to the job purpose become necessary, the post-holder will be consulted and the changes reflected in a revised job purpose. Person Specification This section describes the sum total of knowledge, experience & competence required by the post holder that is necessary for standard acceptable performance in carrying out this role. Qualifications and Professional Memberships Postgraduate degree qualification or equivalent in Psychology, Counselling or Psychotherapy Accredited or registered Psychologist, Counsellor or Psychotherapist or able to meet BACP, UKCP or BPS postgraduate clinical, theoretical and registration requirements. ssential/ Technical Competencies (xperience and Knowledge) This section contains the level of competency required to carry out the role (please refer to the competency framework for clarification where needed and the Job Families Booklet). ssential/ - Relevant post qualification experience xperience of working with a varied range of typical client problems and issues. xperience of delivering very brief interventions Good working knowledge of contemporary psychological therapies, their integration with clinical practice and relevance to a contemporary workplace

3 An understanding of effective risk assessments of clients' needs and with support as necessary, a capacity to make appropriate recommendations for treatment, support and risk management xperience of working in a team of professionals where different therapeutic models are used Demonstrated ability to work with men and women from different social, cultural, religious, racial and sexual orientation backgrounds Ability to work with people with disabilities An understanding of how to work with clients in crises and who present with severe emotional difficulties Special Requirements: On occasion the post holder may be required to work flexibly/out of hours when necessary ssential/ - Core Competencies This section contains the level of competency required to carry out this role. (Please refer to the competency framework for clarification where needed). N/A (not applicable) should be placed, where the competency is not a requirement of the grade. Communication Adaptability / Flexibility Customer/Client service and support Planning and Organising Teamwork Continuous Improvement Problem Solving and Decision Making Skills Leadership / Management Creative and Analytical Thinking Influencing, Persuasion and Negotiation Skills Strategic Thinking Organisational Information -

4 All staff are expected to: Positively support equality of opportunity and equity of treatment to colleagues and students in accordance with the University of Surrey qual Opportunities Policy. Help maintain a safe working environment by: Attending training in Health and Safety requirements as necessary, both on appointment and as changes in duties and techniques demand. Following local codes of safe working practices and the University of Surrey Health and Safety Policy. xcellent environmental performance is a strategic objective for the University of Surrey. All staff are encouraged to work to achieve the aims of our nvironmental Policy and promote awareness to colleagues and students. Undertake such other duties within the scope of the post as may be requested by your Manager.

5 Key Responsibilities This document is not designed to be a list of all tasks undertaken but an outline record of the main responsibilities (5 to 8 maximum) and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Job Purpose. Provision of Wellbeing and Counselling Services to the University. To provide a variety of interventions to staff and/or students to enable the individual to engage with life in a more constructive and meaningful way. To assess the psychological and emotional needs of clients using the Centre in order to ensure they are provided with the appropriate level and type of support Maintenance of professional standards and contribution to the Institution. To advise and guide a wide range of university staff on possible strategies for working with clients in order to ensure the level and quality of care is appropriate and its potential impact on academic needs is understood and managed 4. To advise the Head of the Centre for Wellbeing of specific challenges and risks arising from therapeutic work with clients that require more substantive institutional attention and support 5. To ensure that all clinical work meets current professional and regulatory standards of best practice 6. To participate and contribute to the overall development of the CWB and enhance the quality of staff and student care, for example through development and introduction of new ideas and practices 7. To participate in the overall work of the University through an understanding of teaching, research, group activities and School based academic initiatives and non-academic policy initiatives. N.B. The above list is not exhaustive.