Job summary
We are looking for a Step 2 Counsellor to work within an integrated mental health team based at HMP Hull.
Rethink MentalIllness work alongside Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV)and Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust to deliver an integrated stepped caremental health service within HMP Hull and Humber.
Main duties of the job
Working as partof an integrated mental health team within the prison, providing brief interventioncounselling for depressive symptoms secondary to a compact life event bereavement or adjustment in line with Step 2 IAPT guidelines.
This isdelivered over a brief model (6-8 session) in either 1:1 or group settings. Isupport with wider mental health activities, such as service promotion, peermentors, mental health initiatives and service improvement activities. Role specific supervision will be provided inline with BACP guidelines.
You will workwith the following people and teams within Rethink Mental Illness -
1. AssociateDirector for Criminal Justice and Care Navigation
2. HeadCriminal Justice and Secure Care
3. Head of CareNavigation
4. PsychologicalWellbeing Practitioners
5. Counsellors
6. Senior PsychologicalWellbeing Practitioners
7. Health andWellbeing Coaches
About us
You will work as part of an integrated care mental health team delivering Step 1 interventions, working alongside other professionals to support the mental health of the prison team support people with a common mental health problem in the self-management of their recovery, building a professional relationship of trust in a non-judgmental manner with every client as a basis for developing and enabling therapeutic ranges from providing informal information, support, and signposting, facilitating group activities and forums, to developing and training Peer Mentors and delivering service user engagement activities. You will work alongside the other staff in the mental health team to deliver high quality, mental health support during an individuals time in prison and in onward planning for their release into the community.
The team compromises a range of highly skilled professionals who work collaboratively to provide the highest quality of care for those with mental health needs within the prison and for Rethink Mental Illness employees, this is carried out between 0800 1600 Monday to Friday.
Imagine being part of an organisation whose common purpose is to help those who are severely impacted by mental illness. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity and thats why equity is one of our core values.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Accepting referrals via agreedprotocols within the service. You will makedecisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to referral protocols, andrefer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referralagent, or step-up the persons treatment as necessary.
Assess and support people withmental health problems.
Undertake person-centredinterviews identifying areas where the person wishes to see change and orrecovery, identifying goals for counselling.
Conduct accurate assessmentsof risk to self and others.
Provide assessment for step 2counselling interventions.
Formulate, implement, andevaluate counselling therapy programmes and care packages for clients.
Attendmulti-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment.
Work closely with othermembers of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements arein place to maintain a stepped care approach.
Ensure that clientconfidentiality is protected at all times.
Record and evaluate `outcomemeasures` as part of the ongoing therapy process (GAD-7/PHQ-9)
Ensure the accurate entry ofclinical data onto agreed systems, maintaining the highest standards ofclinical record keeping.
Work in partnership withother disciplines and to maintain links with statutory and non-statutoryagencies as appropriate, in relation to continuing care on release from prison.
Adopt a flexible and pragmaticapproach to ensure the highest standard of service delivery is provided.
Adhereto an agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contactsoffered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimisewaiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.
Support the collation ofmonthly performance data for service management team.
Communicate effectivelywith patients, stakeholders, colleagues, and relevant professionals, both inverbal and written form
Open andtransparent attitude to work, utilising all elements of supervision appropriately.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
8. Post-qualification experience in offering and delivering counselling in IAPT setting.
9. Evidence and understanding of working within a stepped care service with people who have experienced a mental health problem delivering and demonstrating recovery outcomes.
10. Knowledge of assessment procedures, screening, referral, record-keeping, and evidence-based brief psychological interventions.
11. Demonstrates an understanding of use of IAPT counselling and how this relates to this post.
12. Ability to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients and practice in a non-discriminatory manner, respecting the beliefs and cultural practices of individuals and groups.
13. Operates at all times from an inclusive values base which promotes recovery and recognises and respects diversity.
14. Experience of using clinical outcome measures to inform practice.
15. Confident communicator with excellent verbal and written skills.
16. Good working knowledge of standard IT packages including Microsoft Word, Excel, and use of database / information systems.
17. Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and be self-reflective in own personal and professional development.
18. Able to prioritise workload demands and positively respond to unforeseen challenges.
19. Deals with stressful and difficult situations in a calm and solution focused manner.
20. Able to utilise continued professional development, in collaboration with my supervisor and line manager to ensure that my work remains at the highest possible standard.
Desirable
21. Experience working in prison environment or experience of working with offenders.
22. Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems.
23. Knowledge / relevant experience in other therapy modalities that are relevant to practice as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner ( solution focused therapy, supervision training).
Qualifications
Essential
24. Successfully completed a diploma in Counselling (therapeutic) or equivalent that allows access to training programmes and accreditation with a regulating body,, BACP.
Desirable
25. Training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy or within a psychological therapy.