Job description

Seminar Leader

Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy (Certificate in Counselling Skills), January Intake

January 2017 to July 2017

The introductory courses – certificate level provide grounding in basic skills of listening and responding and in ethics. The models used are person centred and psychodynamic. The courses are valuable as a foundation for further training and also as an enhancement of present skills for people who wish to stay in existing profession. The Certificate in Counselling Skills has an intake in October, January and August. The October intake runs over 30 weeks ending in July. The January intake runs over 20 weeks from January to July with 3 weekend modules. The August intake runs for 2 weeks full time in August and 4 weekend modules.

Purpose of the post

To teach counselling skills and attitudes as core skills that can be separated out, practised, and assessed within the framework of a psychodynamic understanding of human development. All teaching on the course is within the context of pastoral care.

Accountability

Seminar Leaders are managerially and professionally accountable to the relevant Programme Manager who is accountable to the Director of Training.

Tasks and responsibilities

1.To teach 29 seminars lasting up to 1½ hour over two terms and three weekends. There are 3 seminars on the weekends.

2.To assess students and ensure they assess themselves and their peers continuously (including completion of Assessment Forms).

3.To teach seminars in an experiential and didactic way and to help students integrate theory and practice.

4.To teach the syllabus as outlined by WPF Therapy, whilst drawing upon their own individual expertise and style.

5.To inform the Programme Manager of any concerns about individual students, e.g. absences, progress of students as and when required and refer students for tutorials when appropriate.

6.To ensure that students are kept informed of any matters relevant to their course such as tutorial procedures, further training meetings, additional opportunities to further their training etc.

7.To keep up-to-date and accurate registers.

8.To mark 2 written assignments per student per year; one on human growth and development and one on the use of counselling skills. Payment for marking is at a flat rate.

9.At weekends (specifically on Sundays) to be onsite for an additional hour (to be separately claimed) including attendance half an hour before and half an hour after session times to assist the Receptionist with opening and closing the building. Sunday staff may on occasion be required to open and close the building.

10.To attend regular management meetings with the Programme Manager.

11.To attend 3 staff meetings a year. Attendance at staff meetings is a requirement.

12.To send written assessments of students whose progress is questioned to the Programme Manager and liaise with them about appropriate steps to be taken regarding award of the Certificate.

13.To teach within the relevant BACP Ethical Framework (available on the BACP website) and to ensure that students understand and work within the relevant codes.

14.To facilitate students’ learning the essential micro skills required of the course and develop an awareness of the impact of their attitudes and behaviour on others. This includes an understanding of prejudice and the need to develop anti-discriminatory practices.

15.To liaise with the Group Conductors regarding the development of students in their group. Seminar Leaders are expected to briefly meet with Group Conductors each week following the seminar.

16.To liaise with the Programme Manager and Programme Administrator when appropriate.

17.To undertake any other responsibilities or tasks as reasonably required by WPF Therapy through the Programme Manager.

Person specification

Experience and knowledge

  1. To have experience of using counselling skills working as a counsellor /psychotherapist.
  1. To have a teaching/training qualification and / or substantial experience of teaching adults.
  1. To demonstrate experience of training in counselling skills.
  1. To know the core counselling skills and be able to teach them as micro skills, as well as within the overall process of the counselling relationship.
  1. To know the difference between the use of counselling skills and counselling as defined by the BACP Ethical Framework.
  1. To demonstrate a psychodynamic understanding of human development, attachment, separation and loss.
  1. To have experience of continuous assessment of trainees.
  1. To have experience of marking essays.
  1. The appointee must be familiar with the WPF Therapy Code of Ethics and the BACP Ethical Framework and ensure that at all times they work within those codes. The appointee must ensure that trainees are also familiar with those codes and, if relevant, working within them. (Available on BACP website).
  1. To be proficient in Microsoft Office.

Skills and abilities

  1. To be able to demonstrate the ability to facilitate experiential learning.
  1. To have an understanding of and ability to work with group dynamics.
  1. To demonstrate the ability to assess students appropriately and thoroughly throughout the training.
  1. To demonstrate a high level of interpersonal and communication skills.
  1. To be able to liaise with other staff and managers appropriately.
  1. To be able to work effectively as part of a team whilst retaining the ability to work independently.
  1. To be able to work within an organisational structure.
  1. To be flexible and demonstrate initiative.

Attitudes

  1. To demonstrate empathy, genuineness and warmth when teaching core counselling skills.
  1. To demonstrate a non-judgemental attitude whilst facilitating the development of students.
  1. To address issues of prejudice and discrimination as they arise.
  1. To demonstrate a personal commitment to the psychodynamic model.
  1. To adhere to the WPF Therapy Equal Opportunities policy.
  1. To work within the ethos of WPF Therapy. The appointee should be in sympathy with WPF Therapy’s basic philosophy of making counselling and therapy available to all as far as possible.
  1. To have a commitment to ongoing professional development

Qualifications

The appointee must be a qualified and experienced psychotherapist / group psychotherapist or psychodynamic counsellor from within an analytical approach. The appointee must beaccredited by BACP or registered with UKCP or BPC. A teaching / training qualification or substantial experience of teaching adults is required.

Seminar times

This is a part time, seven month Programme running from January to July and consisting of 20 weekly sessions and 3 weekend modules.

Course sessions (one per week):

Friday mornings

Seminar time is 9.30am – 11.00am

Plus 3 weekend Modules

(Saturdays & Sundays 10.00am-4.00pm)

Module 1: 4th & 5th February 2017

Module 2: 18th & 19th March 2017

Module 3: 17th & 18th June 2017

Terms dates:

Term 1: Wednesday 11th January 2017—Friday 24th March 2017(Reading Week: Monday 13th February—Friday 17th February)

Term 2: Wednesday 26th April 2017—Friday 7th July 2017 (10 weeks)

(Reading Week: Monday 29th May—Friday 2nd June)

Remuneration

£31,081per annum pro rata.

Actual salary - £2499.63 (all inclusive).

Application procedure

Applicants are asked to submit:

1.an up to date curriculum vitae

2.a statement setting out how they meet the Person Specification and giving evidence

3.the names of TWO referees

Selection will be based on the application and an interview.

Interviews will be held on Monday 21st November 2016 and Friday 25th November 2016 times to be advised.

October 2016