Counselling jobs in United Kingdom

Job summary

Would you like to be part of a team that makes an impact every day?

Tynedale Hospice at Home is a forward-thinking, inclusive registered charity providing counselling and bereavement support for children and adults following a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness or death of a loved one.

As Deputy Head of Care for Family Support, you will be responsible for assisting the Head of Care Services in the day-to-day management and delivery of high-quality services to all client groups.

This role will combine managing a complex clinical caseload alongside providing operational leadership to a strong team of staff and volunteers within the service.

The post holder will take a proactive approach to service development in line with the organisation's strategic vision, leading a dedicated team of experienced Family Support Practitioners, Registered Counsellors, and Volunteers.

Tynedale Hospice at Home has proudly supported the communities of Ponteland and West Northumberland for over 30 years.

Our services include home-based end-of-life nursing care, patient transport, complementary therapies, and bereavement support. All of our services are provided free of charge.

Date posted: 08 April 2025

Pay scheme: Other

Salary: £38,486 a year

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time

Reference number: B0304-25-0002

1 Legion House, Beaufront Park

Anick Road

Hexham

Northumberland

NE46 1TU

Main Purpose of the role:

The Deputy Head of Care for Family Support will be responsible for assisting the Head of Care Services in the day-to-day management and delivery of high-quality services to all client groups. This role combines managing a complex clinical caseload alongside providing operational leadership, focus, and steer to the strong team of staff and volunteers; with a focus on staff and volunteer training and development to ensure that best practices are adhered to and that all staff and volunteers are equipped with the necessary skills to deliver exceptional care.

The post holder will take a proactive approach to service development as per strategic plans and maintain compliance with regulatory standards, contributing to the team of experienced Family Support Practitioners, Registered Counsellors, and managing Volunteers involved in supporting the service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Practitioner Role:

• To maintain a caseload of individual and family work, exemplifying a high level of psychological casework skill; to respond to requests for advice and support for direct work in individual cases.
• To effectively manage the Family Support Practitioners on a day-to-day basis, alongside an agreed caseload, reporting to the Head of Care.
• To empower clients to develop their long-term coping strategies both pre and post-bereavement.
• Manage registered Counsellors ensuring adherence to professional guidance regarding supervision and CPD.
• To take responsibility for leading the volunteers in the team and assist in the allocation of clients.
• To ensure that the practice of all team members remains up to date and evidence-based.
• To take responsibility for ensuring that DBS requirements are met for all volunteers.
• To attend Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings where appropriate to discuss clients e.g. Nursing service colleagues.
• To work in partnership with other agencies to provide seamless support for individuals/families where appropriate.
• To respect the confidentiality of clients and line reports at all times.
• To maintain appropriate working relationships with clients, working without conflict of interest and ensuring delivery of the service is compliant with Tynedale Hospice at Home (THH) policies and budget.
• To agree within the team when an appropriate endpoint is reached for supporting clients.
• Complete regular audits of the service and drive service development to provide greater choice and bridging activities for clients in their journey.
• Develop Family Support Service plan for future service development, identifying national Counselling services strategy and resources required for ongoing review and development.
• With the Head of Care ensure strategic goals are met within an agreed timeframe.

Training & Development

• To organise training for and supervision of the relevant Family Support Volunteers.
• To provide training and guidance when required for other external agencies as required and approved by the Head of Care.

Management and Leadership

• To lead, manage, and implement the day-to-day operations of the team through a planned and focused strategic approach. This will include regular meetings with the team, appraisals, and one-to-one meetings with staff and volunteers.
• To strive to find efficiencies across all activities and support funding applications as appropriate.
• To work in collaboration with the HR and Volunteer Co-ordinator to ensure there is an effective volunteer recruitment and retention strategy to meet the needs of Family Support Service.
• To ensure Family Support Practitioners are skilled, knowledgeable, and motivated and that they continue their personal development within available resources.
• Ensure registered Counsellors CPD is appropriate to their registration.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Assist in reporting incidents, accidents, or near misses, following the correct procedures for documentation and investigation.
• To maintain accurate and concise contemporary records at all times password protected.
• Implement and monitor key performance metrics to ensure continuous improvement of all activities within the service.
• To assist in the development and maintenance of appropriate recording systems to support the service.
• To produce statistical data for reporting purposes when required for the Board of Trustees / Chief Executive and Head of Care.
• To participate in providing detailed reports for external agencies if required.
• To assist with the development/review of policies, reports, and grant applications for THH.

Self-Development

• To undertake appropriate personal development in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge as determined by annual review and Personal Development Plans. This is subject to the availability of resources and requirements of the Department.
• To undertake annual IPR and compile a Personal Development Plan to be discussed with the Head of Care.
• To attend Group and 1:1 Practice Supervision as mutually agreed with Line Manager.
• To undertake mandatory training as required e.g. Safeguarding (Adult and Child).

Risk Management including Health & Safety

• All staff have a responsibility to ensure that the working environment is safe, secure, and healthy. Any unsafe conditions or potential hazards should be reported to the Head of Care or CEO.
• To ensure volunteers are aware of all relevant Policies and that all training requirements for safeguarding are met.

Working Relationships and Team Working:

• To work as a positive team member at all times within the Care team and in accordance with THH policies.
• Staff are expected to work flexibly to accommodate service needs and provide cover for their colleagues in order that support to families is maintained in their absence.
• From time to time the post holder may be required to undertake additional duties, as determined by the Head of Care and/or CEO.

Conduct:

• To behave in a professional manner at all times, reflecting and maintaining the values and ethos of the organisation.
• To adhere to all THH policies and procedures.
• To have an understanding of the Hospices Vision and strive to work towards its achievement.
• To promote the Hospices reputation and values and work as a team to further develop the service.

This job description reflects the immediate requirements and objectives of the post. It is not an exhaustive list but gives a general indication of the level of work undertaken, which may vary in detail in the light of changing demands and priorities. Substantive changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder. The post holder would be required to maintain an up-to-date DBS Certificate.

Other Essential

• Independently mobile / able to travel to client locations.
• To be knowledgeable about the philosophy and concept of working within a Hospice environment.
• Satisfactory DBS clearance.

Qualifications Essential

• Minimum Level 6 Professional Counselling qualification and accreditation by BACP/UKCP.
• Portfolio of continuous professional development.
• Awareness of issues related to clinical governance.

Desirable

• Leadership / Management qualification.

Experience Essential

• Minimum three years practical experience of working with adults and children.
• Experience leading teams.
• Experience of working in a similar regulated or Hospice environment.
• Proven experience in working as a Practitioner with pre/post bereaved adults and families from a range of causes of death.
• Experience of monitoring the delivery of a compliant and safe service to clients.

Desirable

• Experience of provision of student supervision.
• Experience of working with volunteers.

Knowledge and skills Essential

• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to interface effectively with a range of people in complex situations.
• Excellent IT skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to gather, analyse and interpret complex information.

Desirable

• Change management skills.
• Project management skills.

Personal Attributes Essential

• Effective time management skills.
• The ability to work as a member of a team to meet deadlines.
• Problem-solving ability.
• Ability to engage and lead others through change and practice development.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer name: Tynedale Hospice at Home

Address: 1 Legion House, Beaufront Park, Anick Road, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 1TU

Employer's website: https://tynedalehospice.com/ (Opens in a new tab)