Student Counsellor (Gbv)

This role assists the University in ensuring that students have access to appropriate resources to support their wellbeing throughout their academic journey. The post holder will work within the University Counselling Service to provide assessment. consultation and ongoing brief model therapy to students, primarily those affected by sexual or gender-based violence. Sessions will be delivered face to face and online. In addition, the post holder will provide ‘drop in’ sessions for students affected by sexual or gender-based violence, face to face and online.

The post holder will provide a high-quality counselling and support service, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the issues prevalent in the Violence Against Women and Girls sector and the issues facing those who have experienced sexual violence, as well as a basic understanding of the Criminal Justice System.

The Counsellor will be a member of the Student Wellbeing & Inclusion Team, based within the Student & Academic Services Directorate and is expected to work closely with colleagues and stakeholders, internally and externally to deliver a range of proactive services which will ensure that survivors of sexual or gender-based violence are appropriately supported.

1. The provision of support, advice and guidance to students affected by sexual or gender-based violence.

2. To conduct assessment of student mental health issues, assess risk and make clinical recommendations within remit of the Counselling service. Where necessary identify and proactively seek clinical consultation and review of more complex cases.

3. To respond effectively and speedily to students experiencing a mental health crisis, including evaluation of the level of psychological distress and risk (e.g. risk of suicide), drawing in appropriate interventions from other agencies as required.

4. To ensure effective follow up and proactive case management, including liaison with GPs services and other internal and external services as required.

5. To ensure the provision of confidential, professional advice and guidance to students affected by GBV or sexual violence.

6. To identify and liaise with the Clinical Leads/ Head of Service regarding any potential crisis situation or issue which may be to the detriment of student welfare and safety.

7. To maintain appropriate electronic and written records including session notes, records of attendance and contact with other relevant parties. Progress cases as appropriate through CORE NET electronic case file management system.

8. To pursue continuous professional development and maintain professional accreditations and memberships, in order to maintain knowledge base, self-awareness, and enhanced skills.

9. To participate in service development and delivery in consultation with the Clinical Leads and Head of Service.

10. To collaborate with the wider multi-disciplinary team and associated colleagues, to provide effective wellbeing support and clear referral pathways.

11. To work with colleagues in Wellbeing & Inclusion and Internal Communications to develop support materials and communications plans relating to GBV in a higher education setting.

12. To maintain professional accreditation with an appropriate professional body e.g. UKCP / HCPC / BPS/ BACP/BABCP or equivalent.

13. To undertake any other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the grade of the post, recognising that these would not change the character of the post or level of responsibility.

A1 Accredited Qualification in Counselling/CBT.

A2 Hold at least membership of an appropriate recognised professional body e.g. UKCP / HCPC / BPS/ BACP/BABCP or equivalent.

A3 Scottish Credit & Qualification Framework Level 8 (HND, SVQ4) or equivalent and experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).

A4 Thorough knowledge and understanding of the ethical frameworks for professional practice, of the above recognised professional body for which the post holder is a member of.

A5 Knowledge and experience of the issues prevalent in the Violence Against Women and Girls sector and the issues facing those who have experienced sexual violence.

A6 A clear understanding of the impact of sexual violence on survivors and society.

A7 Knowledge of relevant mental health issues impacting university students.

A8 Understanding of the emotional and developmental aspects of student learning.

A9 Understanding of student stage of personal development and transitions.

A10 A working knowledge of the legal framework in which counselling and psychological therapy sits e.g. Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act and Equality Act.

B1 Be Accredited or working towards full Accreditation with BACP/BABCP/UKCP or equivalent.

B2 Practical knowledge and understanding of online and telephone counselling.

C1 Proven clinical assessment skills.

C2 Effective liaison, negotiation and referral skills.

C3 Proven ability to use initiative and pro-actively seek guidance and consultation on complex cases.

C4 Developed self-awareness and reflective skills.

C5 Ability to communicate effectively with students and university staff (Professional and academic) both clinical and non-clinical advice and information within scope of practice.

C6 Empathy with the mental health issues that students may experience and the ability to communicate in a professional and sensitive manner.

C7 Ability to work confidentially and cooperatively in teams and with a range of academic and other support staff.

C8 Ability to work calmly under pressure using emotional resilience and stamina.

C9 Proficient in the use of Microsoft Outlook and other relevant business packages.

C10 Ability to work effectively with students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.

C11 Ability to sensitively and professionally support students presenting as at risk or in crisis and to use effective and ethical clinical judgement in assessment and referral.

C12 Work within the BACP Ethical Framework and follow the BACP UC guidelines of good practice.

C13 Ability to prioritise own workload and work under own initiative.

C14 Ability to spot opportunities for service development and translate these into practice where appropriate.

D1 Ability to use CORE NET.

E1 Experience of working with survivors of sexual violence.

E2 Practical experience of clinical assessment.

E3 Experience of risk management and safety planning in relation to mental health.

E4 Experience of working within a busy, pressurised environment and managing a caseload.

E5 Experience of multi-agency partnership working.

F1 Experience of working within a short-term/brief therapy model.

F2 Experience working within a University/Higher Education based counselling service or equivalent.

Salary will be Grade 6, £32,332 - £36,024 per annum pro rata.

This post is part-time (21 hours per week), and open ended.

Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme

The post for which you are applying is considered “registered work” in terms of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act. It requires the successful applicant to become a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme member prior to appointment. This check is necessary to ensure that the University of Glasgow fulfils its legal duties under the Act.
If you are successful in your application, the offer of employment will be subject to PVG Scheme membership. Further information is available at: https://www.mygov.scot/pvg-scheme/

Please note that under Section 34(1) of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 it is a criminal offence to apply to carry out or to carry out regulated work from which that individual is barred.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.