The University of Sheffield
Counselling Service

Trainee Counsellor Placements

Welcome

Applications are invited for our next intake which will commence in October 2012. Please note that the closing date for the receipt of applications is Wednesday May 23rd 2012 and that short-listed applicants will be invited to interview on Wednesday 13th June 2012

Welcome to the Trainee Counsellor Placement opportunity at the University of Sheffield Counselling Service. The Service offers a limited number of high quality placements each year at its Wilkinson Street premises. We invite you to spend some time familiarising yourself with information on our Placement as described here.

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', to staff and students of the University. The Trainee Counsellor Placement is designed to provide an environment conducive to development and growth of trainees. Our aim is to assist individuals in developing their clinical skills, where possible, tailored to individual needs and learning objectives, whilst respecting the needs of our clientele.

Overview of the Counselling Service Provision

The University Counselling Service currently comprises a Head of Service and eleven full and part-time counsellors, five of whom are employed year round and six on a term-time basis. There are also a number of temporary counsellors who work at the Service on a paid or unpaid basis. In addition, an Office Coordinator leads the administrative side of the Service, supported by a Reception and Support Assistant and a Skill for Life Administrator. The Service is based in accommodation close to the University’s main campus.

Each year, the Service works with over 1000 student clients. In addition, it operates the Skills for Life programme for students. 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. A very wide range of difficulties is presented including depression, panic attacks, 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 psychosynthesis).

Placement Hours

The Placement is for one academic year commencing in October. It is available on Thursday evenings between 5pm and 8pm during the University term time. During vacations, trainees are asked to see their clients during daytime subject to room availability.

Supervision

Regular supervision at a minimum of one hour per fortnight is provided by experienced counsellors within the Service free of charge for all trainees for the duration of their placement. Attendance of supervision is essential and it is unlikely to be on the same day as the clinical day.

Professional Development and Support

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

In addition to the provision of in-house supervision, a Placement Co-ordinator is available to support trainees on non-clinical aspects of the Placement.

Membership of a Professional Organisation

The Service policy requires all counsellors working for the Service to have membership of a professional organisation in counselling/psychotherapy. All trainees must be a member of a professional organisation such as British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy before commencing clinical work at the Service.

Insurance

All trainee counsellors are covered by the University’s employer liability insurance and public liability insurance, while working for the University. Although the work of trainees at the Counselling Service is covered by the University’s professional indemnity insurance, trainees are encouraged to arrange their own professional indemnity insurance.

Criminal Record Check

Successful applicants will be required to have a Criminal Record Bureau check before they start their placement.

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

The Trainee Counsellor Placement is a voluntary post. It does not offer any remuneration nor any benefits normally bestowed to members of the University. The Counselling Service will not reimburse any expenses incurred in the course of the placement at the Service, such as attendance of professional interest groups, personal therapy or additional supervision cost.

Selection Criteria

1. A second or later year student on a BACP accredited (or equivalent) counselling/psychotherapy course.

2. Has some experience of providing counselling or psychotherapy.

3. Has arrangement for personal support, preferably through being a client in personal therapy.

4. Preferably having 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.

5. Provision of a written confirmation from the applicant’s training organisation that the applicant has been sufficiently prepared and is ready for clinical practice.

6. Not a current staff or student of the University of Sheffield, and not a current or ex-client of counsellors at the University of Sheffield Counselling Service.

Application Process

1. Candidates should submit a completed application form. The closing date for this is 5pm on Wednesday 23rd May 2012

2. Candidates who are short-listed for interview will be informed in writing and invited to interview on Wednesday 13th June 2012.

3. Two references will be requested, one of which is expected to be from the applicant’s trainer and should comment on the applicant’s ability to engage in a therapeutic relationship.

4. Experienced counsellors will conduct the interview.

5. Successful candidates will be recommended to the Head of Service for a trainee counsellor placement.

6. The Head of Service makes a final decision whether to offer a placement to the candidates and asks this to be ratified by the Associate Director of Student Services.

Further Information

Please visit the UCS website on for further information about the Service.

Address: Placement Co-ordinator, The University of Sheffield Counselling Service, 36 Wilkinson Street, Sheffield, S10 2GB

Tel: 0114 222 4134

Email: ucs@sheffield.ac.uk
Link: http://www.shef.ac.uk/counselling/