Volunteer Counsellor Role Description

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Volunteer Counsellor Role Description

This section is to let you know what is expected of you as a volunteer counsellor at Beacon

1.  Offer at least 120 sessions (3/week) of counselling per year (sessions are 50 minutes)

2.  Beacon does not offer long term work. Your supervisor will review your work with any client should it approach 12 sessions or more. This is to ensure there is still a significant need for counselling and that the work is focused

3.  Be available at a regular time each week to provide counselling

4.  Consult with the office if you would like to change counselling times/venues

5.  Inform the office on a weekly basis of your appointments for the following week

6.  Complete all relevant paperwork promptly (assessment, ongoing and ending paperwork)

7.  If you are a counselling trainee (i.e. if you are on a Diploma course), then it is your responsibility to let any new clients know that you are a counselling trainee in the first session as part of contracting, and which stage of the training you have reached.

8.  Attend monthly individual supervision and bi-monthly group supervision. Only in exceptional circumstances will you be able to miss these appointments.

9.  Keep appropriate counselling boundaries with all client work

10.  Attend Beacon training when offered

11.  Attend Basic Awareness safeguarding training and Beacon Safeguarding Training every 3 years (or more frequently if this is appropriate and/or Beacon’s policy changes)

12.  Adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in all aspects of your counselling for Beacon

13.  Understand and adhere to all of Beacon’s Policies and procedures as they apply to your role, and ensure you read and understand any new or updated policies that are sent out to you

14.  Complete all relevant statistics and hand them in when requested

15.  Be aware of health and safety issues and inform the office staff of any hazards

16.  Know what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency evacuation at your counselling location and any Beacon offices you attend so it can be documented in the incident book.

17.  Attend Beacon’s training on initial assessments when eligible and agreed with your supervisor, then provide initials sessions as and when needed on a voluntary basis

18.  You will pay £40/month towards the costs of your placement. This includes the costs of supervision and administrative support.