Counsellor – Adult Domestic & Sexual Abuse

Job Title: Counsellor – Adult Domestic & Sexual Abuse

Location: Staffordshire

Contract Duration: Initial contract until March 31st 2026

Salary: £34,834 (FTE) per annum Actual Salary £11,146

Hours of Work: 12 per week

This post is open to women only, under the Equality Act 2010 pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1.  We value diversity and are committed to ensuring that our organisation is an inclusive place to work. We encourage applications from women from all backgrounds and communities and actively welcome applicants from Black, Asian, or other ethnic minority backgrounds and women with a disability .  

About Pathway Project

We are a domestic and sexual abuse service based in Lichfield & Tamworth, Staffordshire.

We offer a range of support services and run two refuges in confidential locations.

We have been operating for over 30 years helping adults and children overcome domestic abuse, and to build a future where they live in safety and are free from fear.

Since our founder, Kathy Coe MBE, created Pathway Project, we have helped over 25,000 people, with 5,814 hours of support provided in the last year.

We offer a wide range of services, including adult and children outreach and community support, mental health, wellbeing and financial advice.

We support the relatives of those who have experienced domestic and sexual violence and offer specialist counselling, advocacy and care to all who need us.

Pathway Project believes in working as a cohesive team and are service user led.

Our helpline is access to all and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Why work for us?

Pathway Project is an inspiring  place to be, we are a charity with big ambitions and huge energy.

We are currently evolving a bold new strategy and a passion  for excellence in service delivery.

Supported by a driven and energetic board of trustees the new Chief Executive is leading Pathway Project through their ambitious plans.

It’s a really fantastic time to join our amazing charity as we move into the next phase of our exciting journey.

We are a flexible and supportive employer, committed to the personal and professional development and wellbeing of our employees. We welcome applications from women with lived experience of domestic abuse and from minority  or under-represented groups.

We offer the following benefits:

·         25 days paid leave plus statutory holidays (pro rata)

·         A competitive pension scheme

·         Employee Assistance Programme delivered by Health Assured which offers incredible support to staff and their families

We value our colleagues and are constantly reviewing our policies and practice, looking for ways in which we can better demonstrate this. We also recognise the potential impact of working in this field and provide clinical supervision to all of our employees, whatever their role.

About the role

The post-holder will deliver a high-quality counselling service to survivors and victims of domestic and sexual violence (aged 18+) that is trauma-informed, ethical and supports key outcomes.  Supporting the Lead Counsellor and the wider counselling team to develop and maintain a safe, professional and accessible service.

Managing a caseload of clients accessing short to medium term counselling, providing face to face, telephone and online counselling sessions. Where clients are engaged with the criminal justice system ensuring that they are working to Pre-Trail Therapy guidance.

The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities. The post holder will work within a multi-agency setting and communicate regularly with other agencies.

This role description cannot cover every eventuality or task that may arise within this position and the post holder will be expected to carry out other duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with the role.

Tasks and responsibilities

1. CLINICAL

·         Assess and support people impacted by abuse and violence in need of therapy by delivering interventions as appropriate and supporting them in the self-management of their recovery.

·         Undertake clinical assessments and make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the service referral protocols, refering unsuitable clients on to the relevant appropriate services or back to the referral agent as necessary, ensuring open communication with the individual throughout.

·         Deliver trauma-informed short term counselling over a  8-10 week period with individuals.

·         Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.

·         Ensure that records of all activity are kept up to date for all clients in line with service protocols, best practice and the requirements of relevant statutory agencies records, including using OASIS case management system to report all support activity and monitoring information as required.

·         Work closely with other members of the team ensuring onward referrals, or escalations are managed appropriately.

·         Assess and integrate issues impacting recovery into therapy to support the individual holistically.

·         To attend regular line management, monthly clinical supervision and participate in team meetings and peer review, to ensure safe practice.

·         Escalate and safeguard risk where appropriate and respond accordingly and appropriately in relation to the ‘do no harm principal’. This may include referrals to Children Social Care, MARAC or Adults social care as appropriate. Seek advice from a Senior Service Manager in the first instance to consider and support appropriate steps.

·         Contribute to the development of service policies, protocols, guidelines and strategies within area of practice as necessary.

·         Coordinate and accommodate multiagency working, sharing information pertaining to risk at all times, and with a view to best support the individual throughout their journey, ensuring they are fully informed throughout.

2. PROFESSIONAL

·         Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating counselling bodies (i.e. BACP, UKCP, NCPS) and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the department of health (e.g. National Institute for Clinical Excellence, RESPECT).

·         Ensure that client confidentiality is protected and advocated for at all times.

·         Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with manager on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.

·         Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.

·         Attend relevant conferences /workshops in line with identified professional objectives.

·         To support, promote and work in accordance with Pathway Project’s aims and objectives.

3. GENERAL

·         To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to Mental Health and Primary Care Services as well as Domestic and Sexual Abuse services.

·         All employees have a duty and responsibility for their own health and safety and the health of safety of colleagues, clients and the general public.

All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed for both clients and staff is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the General Data Protection Regulations and Security and Confidentiality Policies.

·         It is the responsibility of all staff that they do not abuse their official position for personal gain, to seek advantage of further private business or other interests in the course of their official duties.

Essential

• Recognised qualification in counselling and psychotherapy Level 4 or above
• Evidence of significant post-qualifying continuous professional development
• Membership of BACP
• Eligible for or working towards professional accreditation
• Ability to carry out clinical assessments and provide high quality counselling
• Experience of working with victims of abuse and violence
• Experience of working in a time-limited counselling approach as well as longer term work.
• A good understanding of working within a trauma-informed approach
• Experience of delivering integrative Counselling
• Experience of leading service development
• Ability to assess and support client’s needs and risks including those with complex issues
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain clear boundaries
• Strong team working ethos and team management skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues and management, both verbally and in writing
• Case recording and monitoring skills and ability to interpret data to produce reports
• Good organisational, project management and IT skills
• Ability to work well within a team
• Experience of working under pressure and handling competing demands
• Experience of working independently and managing own workload
• A strong commitment to increase the availability of DA/SV counselling
• Willingness to contribute to the charitable aims of the organisation and profitability

Desirable

• Level 7 in counselling and psychotherapy
• Certificate in counselling supervision
• BACP accreditation
• Experience of group work
• Experience of delivering counselling in the voluntary sector
• Significant experience of working with victims of abuse and violence
• Significant experience of working with different modalities
• Experience of service evaluation, service improvement or contributing to service expansion
• Experience of managing a service as part of a small organisation
• Experience of audit and or research
• Experience with using OASIS

Other information:

Pathway Project is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes diversity across our services. All of our employees are required to adhere to our Equality & Diversity policies and to challenge discrimination wherever it is appropriate.

We strive to be as inclusive as is possible and look to recruit individuals with the right skills, experience and attitude, however, for genuine occupational requirement reasons we are looking to appoint a female only for this post (exemption under the Equality Act 2010 Part 1 Schedule 9.

The role is subject to receiving satisfactory references, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, plus a probationary period.

How to apply:

Closing date – 5pm Tuesday 14th January

Interview date Wednesday 29th January ( by invitation)

Please send a full CV together with a covering letter indicating why you meet the essential criteria In no more than 2 sides of A4 by email.