Welcome to AXIS Counselling/ISVA Vacancies

Counsellor for Adults aged 18+

Hours/Location:  We have a variety of fixed-term contacts across Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire which are funded until 31/03/22

4 days a week:  £20,550.79 per annum

3 days a week: £15,009.22 per annum

2 days a week:  £10,031.20 per annum

Axis has been providing counselling to survivors of sexual abuse and their families for over 25 years. We offer a variety of support options such as 121 counselling, support sessions, workshops, and groups to people aged 11+.

This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified and experienced counsellor to develop their clinical practice. The successful applicant will have completed a recognised professional counselling qualification to a minimum of Level 4 Diploma and have a minimum of 250 hours of supervised practice post qualification.

Applicants must be able to provide comprehensive assessments, including risk assessment and management. It would be beneficial for applicants to have training and experience in working with a variety of theoretical orientations. Whilst experience of working with sexual trauma is a benefit it is not a requirement as training will be given, however the successful candidate will need to have experience of working with clients who have experienced significant life events.

Please note, this position is subject to an enhanced DBS check and 2 satisfactory references.

Reference ID: Axis Adult Counsellor:

Part Time Hours: Please state how many days employment you are seeking on any responses  – 2 / 3 / 4 days a week

Application Deadline:    Sunday 19^th September 2021

First Interviews:               Thursday 30^th September 2021 via TEAMS

If you have not heard anything by Tuesday 21^st September 2021, you will not have been successful in reaching the short-list.

Adult Independent Sexual Violence Advisor with LGBTQ+ specialism

Job Description

Hours:                35 hours per week

Salary:                £24,861 per annum (actual)

(increasing upon successful completion of training)

Fixed term until 31^st March 2023

Location:           Across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin

Holidays:           25 days plus statutory holidays per annum to be calculated pro rata to hours worked

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

To work within a multi-agency setting to provide a pro-active service to victims of sexual violence within and outside of the criminal justice system to:

• Risk assess and help clients keep safe
• Help clients access their rights
• Help clients access health and other services they require
• Monitor and keep client informed of case progress
• Provide support through the criminal justice system

This role also holds a specialism relating to working with and for clients from the LGBTQ+ community who have experienced sexual abuse

• Raise awareness of the issues arising within the LGBTQ+ community and assist in removing barriers to accessing services.
• Work within a multi-agency arena to share knowledge and learning that will help Axis and other partner agencies to provide better-informed services
• Share information and learning across the ISVA team to ensure that all members of the team are well informed and suitably trained to work with clients who identify under the umbrella term of LGBTQ+
• Engage with members of the LGBTQ+ community from both within, and outside of the service
• Support Axis management team to ensure that policies and procedures are inclusive, appropriate, and kept up to date.

The successful applicant will be required to understand and operate within the Axis organisation’s policies, procedures and guidelines and work to the principles of equal opportunities.

This post is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.

KEY TASKS

All clients

• Undertake needs and risk assessment with client
• Develop individual support plan to address risks/support needs of client
• If assault was domestic abuse related and the client is assessed as high risk, refer on to Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) following agreed protocols and work with the IDVA
• Attend and participate in MARAC meetings.
• Help clients to access services to which they are entitled e.g. sexual health services, making referrals to mental health/counselling agencies, assisting with child care arrangements and return to work
• Provide direct support to clients via a mutually agreed method (such as face to face; online; telephone)
• Communicate with client/agencies using e-mail, letter and non-therapeutic telephone support where appropriate
• Help client develop own support network
• Explain criminal, legal and, if relevant, civil remedies and housing options to clients
• Provide information and support in relation to Criminal Injuries Compensation
• Where relevant, keep other agencies informed about important changes in client’s situation
• Consider and respond to safeguarding issues

If client reports to the police

• Support client through the criminal justice system, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within the system.
• Support the client to report to the Police and during the trial phase in conjunction with Witness Services
• Liaise with the police and CPS on behalf of the client, with the client’s consent and adhering to confidentiality policy in relation to release of information.
• Keep the client informed about case progress on behalf of the police in line with the requirement of the Victims Code of Practice
• To understand the need for some clients accessing special measures

GENERAL

• Manage a caseload
• Maintain and monitor digital records of all cases
• Follow procedures and protocols with other services so that the safety of the clients is kept central to any process
• Note and feed back to other agencies any consistent difficulties clients are having accessing their service.
• Contribute to the development of service policies, protocols, guidelines and strategies within area of practice as necessary
• Develop and maintain effective communication systems with key partners including police, CPS, court services, social care, education, Victim Support, witness service, voluntary and statutory sector organisations.

• Any other duties the ISVA Manager, Senior ISVA or CEO considers appropriate.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT

• Attend monthly line management supervision
• Attend monthly clinical supervision
• Identify and attend appropriate training opportunities

OTHER

• To produce written reports as required
• Any other duties as directed by your Line Manager

The post will be reviewed after six months and following consultation with the post holder duties may change or be developed subject to available funding and the needs of the service

Please note that the post holder must have a Full driving licence and a vehicle available for work.

Adult Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Person (LGBTQ+ specialism) Specification

(This form indicates how the different requirements may be assessed during the selection process).

A – Application form  I – Interview

Essential / Desirable Any offers of appointment will be conditional on staff committing to completing training in those areas deemed essential to the post	Method of Assessment
	A	I
Education, qualifications and training
Good standard of education (Level 4) or equivalent experience	X
Employment History
Relevant previous or current employment / work experience	X
Skills and experience
Knowledge and understanding of the nature of sexual violence	X	X
Knowledge and understanding of the impact of sexual violence	X	X
Experience of working with victims of sexual violence	X	X
Experience of working with the LGBTQ+ community	X
Knowledge and understanding of the barriers faced by the LGBTQ+ community		X
Knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system	X	X
Experience of and ability to work pro-actively		X
High standards of practice and presentation of work	X
Able to prioritise own workload and deal with competing demands		X
Experience of working with a range of agencies	X
Knowledge of child protection issues and legislation	X	X
Understanding of gender equality duty	X
Understanding of the need to maintain personal records of clients	X
Proficient at using Information Technology including Windows, Microsoft Office, email and the Internet	X
Personal attributes
Ability to work on own initiative, in partnership and as part of a team	X	X
Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills	X	X
Ability to form and maintain good working relationships with colleagues	X	X
Ability to produce written and verbal reports	X
Understanding the need for professional confidentiality and its boundaries	X	X
Knowledge of and commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice	X
Strong crisis management skills, methodical and well organised	X	X
Ability to work in an empathic manner, to maintain consistency and develop a rapport with service users	X	X
Special requirements
Eligible to work in the UK	X
An Enhanced DBS check	X
Willing to access training relating to duties	X
Able to travel as required	X

Closing date: 27th September – 12 noon.