Children and Young People Counsellor

About the role

To deliver high-quality, one-to-one counselling sessions to young people aged 11+, providing a safe, inclusive and supportive space where they can explore their thoughts, feelings and experiences. The role focuses on building trusting therapeutic relationships and offering bespoke support tailored to each young person’s individual needs and goals.

The role also includes offering advice, guidance and appropriate signposting to families and professionals, supporting them to understand and respond to the emotional and mental health needs of children and young people in line with the IThrive framework and principles.

Main Responsibilities

• To manage referrals and work with an ongoing caseload of up to 15 at any one time.
• The role will involve counselling children and young people (8 –18 years old) on a range of issues that have resulted in a child struggling with their own mental health and wellbeing.
• To undertake assessments and manage risk
• To offer advice and guidance to families.
• To record work using case management database, outcome, and evaluation tools.
• To work within national guidelines and policies, ensuring that practice is standardised, ethical and safe.
• To work with other agencies around safeguarding concerns and participate in any relevant professionals’ meetings.
• To develop BLGC as a source of advice and support for families and professionals across Bolton.
• To liaise with agencies external to BLGC as appropriate, sharing expertise, information, skills, and resources effectively, ensuring the widest possible area of need is met.
• To empower other professionals offering advice, resources and support through joint working, when working with children, young people, parents and families.
• To participate in reflective supervision and performance reviews, both individually and as part of the team.
• To participate in clinical supervision.
• To support promoting own area of work on social media platforms.
• To ensure the service operates safe practice and within all policies including Safeguarding and Health and Safety.
• To keep children and young people safe in line with Safeguarding policies and local authority arrangements around Safeguarding.
• To undertake any other work requested by your line manager.

Person Specification:

Applicants should be able to demonstrate that they can meeting the following:

Selection Criteria Essential or Method of

A=Application / I=Interview Desirable Assessment

A/I

Qualifications / Education

A Level 4 qualification diploma or above in counselling, psychotherapy or arts/play therapy AND current E A registered/accredited/full/qualified membership of one of

the following relevant professional bodies (BACP, UKCP, HCPC, ACC, NCPS, ADMP, BAPT, BAAT, BPC, COSCA,)*

Understanding and commitment to work in line with the E A/I BACP competency framework

Experience

Relevant experience of working with children and families E A/I on a 1-1 or in groups

Experience of delivering counselling sessions including E I initial and on-going risk/needs assessments.

Experience of gathering and collating data D A/I

Reflective practitioner able to deliver outcome focused E I work and making an impact

Knowledge / Skills

Knowledge of support services, education, social care and D A/I health care available for children and families.

An ability to work within the British Association for E A/I Counselling and Psychotherapy Code of Ethics and Practice of Counsellors or other identified professional codes of conduct.

Knowledge of trauma informed practice D A

An ability to support young people with complex issues including challenging behaviour, mental health issues, self- E I harm and risk-taking behaviour.

Proficient in IT and data management systems E A/I

To be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the E I welfare of children and young people at all times, including reporting and documenting actions

Work a flexible pattern including evenings and some E I weekends in line with the role and service requirements

Excellent written and verbal communications skills and the E A/I ability to engage with a range of audiences

Personal Qualities

Passionate about making a difference to the lives of E A/I children and young people.

Committed to a culture of continuous improvement E A/I

Drive and have access to a car E A

Have good WIFI at home and a confidential space to work E A at home

Why join Team BLGC?

BLGC is a great place to work, we work hard, but we have fun! We change and save the lives of thousands upon thousands of children, young people and families. In addition, we also offer the following:

• Flexible working opportunities
• Generous leave benefits
• Contributory pension scheme
• On site gym
• Birthday leave
• Enhanced Compassionate Leave
• Enhanced Maternity Pay

In 2024 Great Place To Work® recognised Bolton Lads and Girls Club on the following Best Workplaces Lists.