VOLUNTEER COUNSELLOR ROLE

Skills and qualities required

  • To have completed a diploma level counselling or psychotherapy training
  • Experience of having worked with adult clients in counselling, and of undertaking assessments
  • Experience of working with people from diverse backgrounds
  • Some understanding of the impact of loss and bereavement upon individuals and families.
  • Understanding of the grief process and responses to loss and bereavement
  • The ability to work with, contain and process high levels of distress
  • To have good levels of self awareness and the capacity to identify and address areas of personal vulnerability which may influence the therapeutic process. This will have been developed through personal therapy or personal development activities over a sustained period within a therapeutic relationship.
  • Ability to reflect on client work with supervision and apply theoretical models to client work.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to implement procedures and to follow policies
  • To treat people with respect and dignity, without judgement
  • An appropriate dress code

Desirable

  • Experience of providing counselling to clients with complex psycho-social needs
  • Experience of working in a hospice/ bereavement service
  • Appropriate qualification / training in working as a counsellor with young people (particularly adolescents)

What we offer you

  • The opportunity to gain experience and knowledge of working within a healthcare/ palliative care organisation and of multidisciplinary work
  • To develop experience, knowledge and skills in working with issues around life limiting illness and bereavement
  • In house supervision by a qualified supervisor
  • To be a part of the psycho-social team
  • The opportunity to work towards accreditation
  • To explore using creative mediums in your counselling work
  • Over time you may have the opportunity to also work with family members, patients and with groups

Applicants who are successful at interview will need to attend all induction and mandatory training requirements of the Hospice. There will be a 6 month probationary period. You will be required to work in accordance with Heart of Kent Policies and procedures and within the BACP Ethical Framework.

Successful applicants will be required to:-

Have a successful Enhanced DBS check made and to provide us with referee’s

Commit to a minimum of 12 months volunteering with us

Have a maximum of 8 week’s holiday to be taken during any one year (including public holidays). A maximum of 4 weeks at any one time.

See 3 clients per week

Attend regularly for monthly group supervision (failure to do so will lead to termination of the role). Our two supervision groups are currently on a Tuesday and Thursday morning.

If possible attend for CPD training in the dept.

Maintain records in accordance with the Hospice/ departments requirements

Work within the organisations policies and procedures, being particularly mindful of how confidentiality applies in this setting.