Volunteer Counselling Administrator

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work closely with the counselling administrative team and the counselling manager.

About the role

The Ascent Counselling Service is a specialist therapeutic support service for women and girls aged 16 and over, who have experienced domestic and/or sexual abuse by an intimate partner or family member. This can include physical, emotional, psychological, sexual and financial abuse, coercive control, harassment, stalking and other harmful practices, such as FGM and honour-based violence.

Our counselling service is delivered as part of the Ascent Advice and Counselling partnership. Our counsellors create a safe space for survivors to explore the impact of abuse on their lives, help them to recover from the long-term impact and support them to make positive changes for themselves.

This opportunity is ideal for someone looking to gain experience in administration within a busy counselling team. The role will involve a range of administrative tasks such as:

• Data entry in our case management system
• Booking assessments/sessions appointments
• Sending appointment reminders to clients
• Gathering feedback, as well as other tasks as and when required.

Who are we looking for?

No formal qualifications are required for this role. We are looking for volunteers who have:

• Good administrative skills, including proficient use of Zoom/Microsoft Teams, Microsoft packages and Outlook
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Good organisational skills
• Good understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• An understanding of the issues faced by survivors and a desire to build on this.
• An understanding of professional boundaries and confidentiality
• Good listening skills and an empathic, non-judgemental approach.

What can you gain from this opportunity?

As part of this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Gaining experience and understanding the administrative side of running a counselling service
• Expanding your understanding of domestic abuse, sexual violence and all forms of VAWG and its effect on women and children.
• Contribute and support to a very busy counselling team and supporting the team in working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse
• Play a pivotal role in delivering services.
• Gain hands on experience in a dynamic charity working in the Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector.
• Work as part of a feminist organisation

We offer great volunteer induction training, where you will be fully supported to understand and carry put every aspect of the role. Training includes CPD accredited courses, and the opportunity to apply to complete the Tackling and Preventing Domestic Abuse Award (DAPA), which is recognized by the Home Office.

Please note that our volunteer opportunities are open to women only (exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1), and that these volunteer roles are exempt from the rehabilitation of offenders act 1974 and subject to enhanced DBS checks where applicable.