Contract: Permanent
Hours: 22 hours per week
Salary: £11.50 per hour
Location: The Willows, 11 Prospect Place, Swindon, SN1 3LQ
Reports To: CEO
Key Relationships: Counselling Coordinator, Supervision Coordinator, Volunteer Counsellors and Placement Counsellors
Benefits Include: Willows offers 26 days holiday per year plus statutory bank holidays, pro rate and free onsite parking

Purpose of Counselling Service Manager Role

The role is responsible for the ongoing management and development of the counselling service provided by Willows.
The Counselling Service Manager will ensure that all counsellors, placements and supervisors are well supported, maintain professional proficiency and meet professional membership requirements in relation to supervision and CPD.
The Counselling Service Manager will work collaboratively with the Counselling and Supervision Coordinators will contribute to maintaining Willows as an organisation that welcomes clients form all backgrounds and with a range of presenting issues.
The role calls for a relational, creative and pragmatic approach as well as a commitment to the value of volunteer counsellors, and to the provision of affordable and accessible counselling.

Key Responsibilities

• Overall management of Willows’ counselling service to ensure smooth day to day operation;
• Increase the capacity of Willows counselling provision by recruiting experienced and placement counsellors and supervisors;
• Support Counsellors and Supervisors with safeguarding and requests for reports;
• Provide a programme of ongoing support for Willows Counsellors through skills groups which facilitates a sense of community;
• Ensure compliance with ethical and legal requirements and taking a lead in the monthly Clinical Forum;
• Maintain organisational membership of NCS and disseminating relevant information to counsellors and staff team;
• Play a key role in overseeing and developing the Counselling department’s operational processes and systems;
• Line manage the Counselling and Supervision Coordinators and work collaboratively with the counselling team and other Willows staff;
• Play a key role in developing and maintaining clinical policies and procedures and maintaining an up to date Extra net of clinical forms and a Counsellor’s Handbook in collaboration with the CEO;
• Work collaboratively with the Finance Manager and CEO in relation to counselling income and budgeting;
• Work collaboratively with the Marketing Manager in providing content and statistics information relating to the counselling service;
• Participate in regular staff and clinical team meetings;
• Take client referrals and assist with allocations if needed;
• Take clinical assessments to ascertain competency for allocation for counselling if required.

General responsibilities

• Working collaboratively with whole staff, counselling, training team and trustees;
• Upholding the Christian ethos and values of Willows;
• Actively participate in team and line management meetings;
• Work with and in compliance with relevant legislation including health and safety, data protection and equality legislation;
• Take the role of Duty Manager on a rota basis;
• Any other tasks reasonably expected;
• Some occasional evening and weekend work may be required. Time off in lieu will be given.

Person Specification

Essential

1. Diploma in Counselling and minimum of 500 post qualifying counselling hours with a range of clients and issues;
2. Experience of assessing clients;
3. Management or leadership experience;
   Ability to work comfortably with Willows Christian organisational ethos, uphold the core values and comply with charitable objectives;
4. Excellent interpersonal skills which enable effective working relationships with people at all levels;
   Ability to work independently, on own initiative, prioritise and work to deadlines effectively;
5. Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail;
6. Excellent communication skills, oral and written;
   A clear understanding of legal and ethical issues in providing a counselling service for adults;
7. Computer competent including email, Microsoft, and databases.

Desirable

1. Qualification or experience in clinical supervision;
2. Experience of working with volunteers;
3. Experience of supporting counsellors;
4. Accreditation in counselling with a professional body;
5. Experience of administration, office management, operations or business management.

How to apply
Application should be made in the form of a CV and a covering letter explaining why you are applying for this role and what you bring in relation to the responsibilities of this post by email to director@willowscounselling.org.uk

Application deadline is midday Monday 4th October 2021
Interviews will be held the week of the 11th October 2021