Honorary Counsellor Placement Opportunities 2011-12.

Each academic year the University of Sheffield Counselling Service offers a number of time limited honorary positions to appropriately qualified therapists seeking additional clinical experience, often as part of the BACP accreditation process. These positions are unpaid and purely voluntary, although free, in-house supervision is provided.

We will have two or three new Honorary Counsellor positions available from January 2012 onwards. If you are interested in applying for one of these please read the following information carefully.

Service Philosophy

The University Counselling Service is committed to providing a high quality, professional and confidential service, in accordance to the BACP 'Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy' (http://www.bacp.co.uk/printable/ethical_framework.html), to students of the University.

Overview of the Counselling Service Provision

The University Counselling Service currently comprises a Head of Service and ten full and part-time counsellors, five of whom are employed year round and five on a term-time basis. There are also a number of trainee and temporary (‘bank’) counsellors who work at the Service.

In addition, an Office Coordinator leads the administrative side of the Service, supported by a Reception and Support Assistant and Skills for Life Administrator.

The Service is based in accommodation close to the University’s main campus.

This is a very busy service, working with an increasingly diverse student population with frequently demanding mental health needs, in a rapidly changing higher education environment.

The Service works with over 800 student clients annually.

A very wide range of difficulties is represented, including depression, anxiety, abuse, eating disorder, self-harm and varieties of relationship problems.

The Service mainly offers brief counselling, averaging to six sessions per client. However, there are opportunities for longer-term therapeutic work where appropriate.

The counselling team represents a range of counselling and psychotherapy expertise (e.g. solution focused work, art therapy and long-term psychotherapy) and theoretical approach (e.g. psychodynamic, person-centred and psycho-synthesis).

Availability of Honorary Counsellor positions

The number of Honorary Counsellor positions the Service can offer varies from year to year and is largely determined by room availability. At the time of writing – June 2011 – we have four Honorary Counsellors working in the Service, with each counsellor offering three individual, fifty minute appointments.

The length of time Honorary Counsellors work in the Service is negotiable, but is not usually less than the standard academic year which runs from October to June.

Supervision

Unless exceptional circumstances apply, regular supervision at a minimum of one hour per month is provided by experienced counsellors within the Service - free of charge - for all Honorary counsellors for the duration of the time they are working in the Service.

Attendance at supervision is essential and by arrangement. It is not always possible to arrange supervision on the same day as the clinical day.

Professional Development and Support

The Service is committed to the professional development of its members of staff. It has an active in-house professional development programme and a journal club which meets regularly. Honorary counsellors are offered opportunities to attend a variety of in-house training events, subject to the approval of the Head of Service.

Honorary counsellors seeking BACP accreditation will also have the opportunity to undertake counselling related activities such as membership of the Counselling Service’s Trainee and Honorary Counsellor Working Group.

Membership of a Professional Organisation

The University requires all counsellors working for the Service to have membership of a professional organisation in counselling/psychotherapy such as the UKCP or BACP before commencing clinical work.

Insurance

All counsellors (including Honorary and trainee counsellors) are covered by the University’s employer liability insurance and public liability insurance, while working for the University.

Honorary counsellors are nevertheless encouraged to arrange their own professional indemnity insurance.

Criminal Record Check

Although it is not currently a requirement, in future Honorary Counsellors may be required to apply for a Criminal Record Bureau check.

Equal Opportunity

The Counselling Service, in accordance with the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy, treats all people with dignity and respect equally, irrespective of race, ethnic origin, gender, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, religion or belief, disability, age or political belief.

Consistent with many other buildings across campus, the Counselling Service is wheelchair accessible.

Remuneration

Honorary counsellor positions within the Counselling Service are voluntary and unpaid. The position does not offer any remuneration nor any benefits normally bestowed to members of the University.

The Counselling Service will not reimburse any expenses such as those that might be incurred through attendance at professional interest groups, personal therapy or additional supervision.

Selection Criteria

1. A relevant professional qualification in counselling, psychotherapy or clinical psychology.

2. Experience of providing counselling or psychotherapy.

3. Some understanding of academic related issues and difficulties in the learning process within a university environment, such as through personal experience of having been a student.

4. Applicants will need to disclose if they are or have been a client of any counsellor currently working in the Service. If this is the case, the counsellor concerned will be asked if they have any concerns regarding boundaries, and if the counselling contract has been ended satisfactorily. A list of current UCS staff can be found at http://www.shef.ac.uk/counselling/aboutus/staffing

Application Process

1. Interested applicants are invited to contact Dave Edwards (d.g.edwards@sheffield.ac.uk) for an informal discussion.

2. Applicants should then submit an up to date CV detailing qualifications and relevant experience.

3. Applicants should also supply the name and contact details (including an email address) for two referees, one of whom (a recent or current supervisor, for example) must be in a position to comment on the applicant’s ability to engage in a therapeutic relationship.

4. Suitable applicants will then be invited for an interview to discuss practical and other arrangements.

5. Successful applicants will be recommended to the Head of Service for an Honorary Counsellor position within the University of Sheffield Counselling Service.

Further Information

Please visit the UCS website (http://www.shef.ac.uk/counselling/) for further information about the Service.

Address: The University of Sheffield Counselling Service, 36 Wilkinson Street, Sheffield, S10 2GB

Tel: 0114 222 4134

Email: ucs@sheffield.ac.uk