Counsellor

Ormiston Families is one of the leading charities working with children, young people and families in the East of England. We take early and preventative action to support families to be safe, healthy and resilient. All our services help people to build stronger networks, learn from experience and feel in control of their own wellbeing. We can only achieve this with the people who choose to work for us.

Ormiston Families’ Stars is a specialist children’s bereavement support service providing counselling support to children and young people aged 4-19 in Cambridgeshire who have or will experience the loss of a family member or a significant person in their lives. The age group we support are usually from 4 to 19 years old.

The role is to provide bereavement counselling to children and young people resident or in school in Cambridgeshire, prior to or following the death of a significant person, primarily through one-to-one counselling. The purpose of the role is to provide therapeutic support to children who have or will experience bereavement; and to help them to process and identify the complex emotions associated with grief, accept their loss and move on with their lives. This role also involves arranging and facilitating bereavement assessments for referrals made into our service and also provides indirect support through liaison with families, schools and other referrers. Team and clinical meetings are held regularly at the Stars office.

You will be a qualified counsellor and member of BACP (or other recognised professional body) with a minimum of two years’ post-qualification experience and must have experience of working with children and adolescents in pre and post bereavement. You will also have knowledge and understanding of the theory and benefits of using a range of creative arts, such as clay and sand trays. You will be able to organise and manage your client workload and work effectively within a small team. Preferably, you will also have experience of working in a school setting. You will have access to a car and have a clean driving license, as the role will involve regular travel throughout Cambridgeshire.

You will be looking to be part of a clinical team that is committed to the welfare of bereaved children and the provision of a high quality, evidence-informed service.

The post is for a permanent part-time position, 21 hours per week over 3 days

Starting salary £17,782 per annum (FTE based on 35 hours per week £29,638)

Based in Teversham, Cambridgeshire

For further information and to apply please visit our Work With Us page on our Ormiston Families website.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Tuesday 7th May 2024

Benefits & Recognition:

All benefits are discretionary, and Ormiston Families reserves the right to change or amend benefits at any given time.

Cycle to Work

• Cycle to Work allows you to order a new bike, equipment or both up to the value of £1,000 which you can pay back through your salary to make tax savings.

Annual Leave Entitlement:

• The basic annual leave entitlement is 27 days plus additional leave for employees who have completed 1 year’s service up to a maximum of 30 days
• Part-time employees receive a pro-rata allowance according to the number of hours they work per week.
• Ability to buy and sell up to 5 days’ annual leave within any leave year. (All leave must be taken within the year it is purchased including any agreed leave brought forward from the previous year.)

Group Life Assurance:

• Ormiston Families provides a death in service benefit to all permanent employees.

Occupational Sick Pay Scheme:

• Ormiston Families operates an occupational sick pay scheme in addition to statutory sick pay.

Pension:

• Ormiston Families provides a Group Personal Pension Scheme with up to 9% of gross salary employer contribution for any employee where they match the level of contribution.

Sponsorship:

• Ormiston Families provides the opportunity to apply for sponsorship to employees who have completed their probationary period and been in post for at least 12 months to undertake nationally accredited or chartered certification awarded by professional associations.

Employee Assistance Programme:

• Ormiston Families provides a comprehensive employee assistance programme which offers free and confidential access to telephone and face to face counselling (up to 6 sessions), financial and legal advice and assistance in finding information about a wide range of subjects from childcare to moving to a new house.

The Hive:

• The Hive is a savings platform which can be accessed by employees to make everyday purchases at reduced costs. Employees can save money by purchasing reloadable cards, obtain cashback through online purchases, and make savings in some stores.

The Wellbeing Centre:

• We have trained Mental Health First Aiders who form our Wellbeing Team, promoting mental and physical health. Ormiston Families has also signed the pledge to support our employees going through the menopause in the workplace.We have trained Mental Health First Aiders who form our Wellbeing Team, promoting mental and physical health. Ormiston Families has also signed the pledge to support our employees going through the menopause in the workplace.

Safeguarding and DBS requirements for your role:

Ormiston Families is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

We are an equal opportunities employer; we value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.