Deputy Service Manager - Counselling Service

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

1. Contract and Services Management

Informing the future direction and development of the Counselling Team including working closely with the Directors and Commissioners internally and externally of the organisation

Champion innovation and co-lead the implementation of enchantments to services, and support the implementation of change, best practice and continuous improvement.

Develop the Swindon and Gloucestershire Estate, exploring potential space in the local community, networking with other charities and local businesses to source suitable space to enable the growth and development of the counselling service.

To manage a caseload of clients, offering sessions in line with the counselling service procedures and policies.

Ensure counselling sessions and practice is carried out in accordance with the BACP framework and other ethical guidelines.

Understand and build upon local assets and resources, to enable a holistic and flexible and flexible place-based support structures that are responsive to local needs.

Develop the service model with a two-tier model of high and low risk, working effectively with the team, Service Manager and SLT.

Ensure adequate professional supervision is arranged and attended by counsellors, including volunteers.

Ensure all counsellors meet their allocated CPD hours per year.

To screen all referrals including self-referrals and professional referrals and assess risk using the Mental Health Triage scale.

To work closely with practitioners and informing them of when a client is due to exit and if additional support is required.

To ensure agreed service standards are upheld and monitored using internal evaluations, user feedback, audits etc.

2. Effective Collaboration with External Agencies and Organisations

Establish effective relationships with key referrers including the Primary Care Networks and Secondary Car Services in your locality, facilitating meaningful two-way dialogue with key stakeholders.

To work closely with other staff within S&G Mind, including communicating any

updates/concerns to practitioners involved with the person as well as internal MDT meetings.

To attend meetings in relation to service areas, ensuring the services are using the Mental Health Triage Scale effectively and appropriately.

To build strong relationships with primary and secondary services in relation to smooth referral pathways and transitions for people.

To extend external meetings/steering groups in relation to self-harm and suicide prevention.

To build relationships with local colleagues and other training providers for future counselling placements.

3. Team Leadership

Co- lead and develop your team in partnership with the Service Manager and Senior Leadership Team in delivering recovery-focused, high quality, safe and person-centred care, delivering great outcomes for people using services.

Provide leadership to the operations of the team, monitoring workload, ensuring staff follow policies and procedures.

Offer management support and supervision including Personal Development Reviews.

To be involved with recruitment of new staff including participating on the interview panel and leading induction

Ensure all counsellors are supported and developed through a job coaching, individual supervision, group supervision, and appraisals, identifying and promptly addressing learning and development needs.

Ensure consistency, ethical practice and adherence to BACP (or other professional associations) and recommendations for the whole team.

Monitor staff compliance with S&G Mind policies and procedures.

Support staff and facilitate regular team meetings.

Support with delivering debrief meetings and Swindon team meetings where required.

To be involved with recruitment of new staff including participating on the interview panel and leading induction

To investigate any incidents reported by staff or people accessing services and follow up the recorded outcomes following S&G Mind policies and procedures.

To explore complaints made to the Self Harmony Counselling contract and follow the relevant procedures and policies

To undertake investigations in line with relevant policies e.g. complaints policy, HR investigation.

To ensure all counsellors are assessing risk and that risk is managed appropriately in line with the persons needs and policies/procedure of the service.

Take part in the on-call support rota when required for services across Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind.

4. KPIs and Data Excellence

To monitor and prepare stats and requested outcomes as needed.

To maintain and manage own client record systems.

To monitor data including number of sessions provided within the service and time of access.

To utilise S&G Mind systems to capture, track and monitor performance.

To manage and monitor the waiting lists, assessments and referral timescales, meeting targets set by the Swindon manager.

Produce regular outcome reports demonstrating the effectiveness of the service and highlighting gaps in provision.

To produce reports in relation to KPIs and actively look at ways to develop and improve the service.

To review and monitor authorisation of any extension of sessions, exploring reasons and outcomes for additional sessions

The role will also include supporting other areas of work and undertake other duties at Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind when needed.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• -We are seeking individuals who are passionate about delivering quality services and are dedicated to continuously adapting to meet the evolving challenges and changes in the field.
• -Relevant experience of working within mental health.
• -Experience of leading and managing a team with a flexible and responsive management style.
• -Experience of providing counselling to people experiencing mental health problems.
• -Excellent communications skills and the ability to develop relationships with professionals, stakeholders and people engaging with the service. (
• -Ability and willingness to reflect on work practice and be open to feedback.
• -Experience of collecting and recording data, and presenting information to a range of audiences.
• -Proficiency in IT skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic record keeping systems.
• -Knowledge of safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults.
• -Knowledge of various interventions used to support recovery.
• -Understanding of General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and confidentiality.
• -A commitment to working within a framework that recognises the diversity of people and encourages equality and opportunity for all.
• -A commitment to the participation of people accessing our services in decision-making processes in the design and delivery of the services they access.
• -Willingness to assist in various areas of work and undertake additional. duties as needed to contribute to Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind's mission.
• -Ability to travel to venues across Swindon and Gloucestershire.
• -A flexible approach to work.

Desirable

• -Experience of supporting people who are experiencing a crisis, and experience in leading a team to de-escalate heightened situations and crisis planning.
• -Experience of delivering counselling within the NHS and/or third sector.
• -Knowledge of mental health services in Swindon.

Qualifications

Essential

• -GCSE/O Levels (grades 9-4/A*-C) in Maths and English (or equivalent numeracy and literacy)
• -Counselling or psychotherapy qualification

Desirable

• BACP accredited and professional accreditation

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

UK Registration

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

Employer details

Employer name

Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind

Address

Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind

Sanford House

Swindon

Wiltshire

SN1 1HE

Employer's website

https://www.sgmind.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)