STUDENT COUNSELLOR (0.6 FTE) REF: ALC599

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1 Student Support Service The Post STUDENT COUNSELLOR (0.6 FTE) REF: ALC599 Contributing to the success and wellbeing of the UEA student population, the Counsellor will work with a team of other counsellors, mental health and disability advisers within the Wellbeing Section of the Student Support Service. The post holder will deliver one to one therapy as well as assisting in the development of psycho-educative workshops and therapeutic groups aimed at supporting students in managing low level distress and fostering personal growth. The post holder work in conjunction with other teams in the Student Support Service. The service has an integrated model of delivery aimed at matching support to individual client needs. The post-holder will be expected to work pluralistically and flexibly, within an integrative framework. Informal Discussions For an informal discussion please contact Mr Chris Haylock (Acting Head of Wellbeing) on Tel or Christopher.haylock@uea.ac.uk. Student Support Service Previously known as the Dean of Students Office, the Service aims to help enable all students to gain the maximum benefit from their University experience by offering specialist and general information, advice, guidance and counselling on practical, developmental and personal matters that are impacting on their ability to achieve their academic potential and personal goals. The Service also manages University residential accommodation, a dental practice, the University staff counselling service and works closely with, and is the liaison point with, the University s Multifaith Centre. The Service has four sections, Information and Advice, Wellbeing, Learning Enhancement, and Residences and Services offering the following services. Information and Advice Proving specialist information, advice, and guidance on a wide range of areas that have an impact on student success; these include student finance, international student support, including advice on immigration and visa matters living on campus student discipline

2 community relations Well-being disability mental health advice counselling and talking therapies staff counselling service Learning Enhancement academic skills development, peer assisted learning scheme support Residences and Services UEA Accommodation Office UEA Dental Practice Wellbeing at UEA The Wellbeing section has a staff complement of 3 mental health advisers, 4 disability advisors, and 5 counsellors providing mental health and disability advice and guidance, counselling, therapeutic interventions, to a diverse student body. It offers professional placements to students on counselling and other therapy courses and employs some sessional advisers to help meet demand at busy times of the year. The section is primarily focussed on two areas of work: the promotion of wellbeing: the provision of self-help materials, group activities that promote good mental well-being, and awareness raising mental health campaigns and staff training. working with individual students with disabilities or who are experiencing mental health difficulties. Students can self-refer or be referred by other services to the counsellors, mental health advisers, and disability advisers. An initial well-being assessment is generally undertaken to establish a student s needs before either a course of therapy with the counsellors, or meetings with the mental health advisers are arranged. The advisers will provide information and guidance and work with students to determine the reasonable adjustments the University can put in place, assist students in making applications for funding when they are eligible to do so, and assist student in monitoring their progress throughout their studies when at UEA, on placement or studying abroad. A critical mass of counsellors is maintained by running the staff counselling service alongside student counselling services. The Wellbeing Team also supports those students seeking to return to study from a period when they have been away from their studies due to personal, physical or mental health reasons or for whom fitness to study has become an issue. Wellbeing staff work closely with staff in the University Medical Service

3 and other NHS services and voluntary sector organisations to provide support, advice and guidance for students. Job Description A job description is attached as Appendix A. The precise duties will be agreed in discussion with the Manager. Person Specification The person specification for this post is attached as Appendix B. GENERAL Salary Salary in this part-time post will be 18,994 to 22,661 per annum (pro rata to 31,656 to 37,768 per annum) on Grade 7 on the single salary spine. The normal expectation is that starting salary will be at the minimum of the advertised salary scale. Starting date The post is available immediately on a part-time basis (working 0.6 FTE) for a fixed term period to 31 December The exact working pattern will be agreed with the postholder. It is anticipated that this may include one evening a week (5 to 8pm) during the University academic year. The post holder may also be required to work on other occasions beyond normal working hours include occasional weekend work. This temporary post is available to cover for the absence of the postholder on maternity leave. The appointment will be terminated (with four weeks notice) at the end of the week immediately preceding the return of the postholder from maternity leave. Terms and Conditions of Appointment Full details of terms and conditions of employment for Administrative Staff will be made available to the candidate to whom the appointment is offered. Relocation Expenses Relocation expenses are reimbursable under certain conditions. Residence The University is strongly committed to providing an excellent student experience and research environment, and it is expected that all staff will be

4 available on campus to carry out their duties during the working week in support of these goals. Absences for significant periods are by agreement with the Head of School or Head of Division. Annual Leave Entitlement There is an annual holiday entitlement of six weeks plus statutory (8 days) and customary (6 days) holidays, pro rata for part-time. Superannuation The post is superannuable under the Universities Superannuation Scheme. Disclosure and Barring Service This appointment will be subject to a criminal record check at Enhanced level from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Proof of Qualifications The person specification for this post lists qualifications that are essential and/or desirable and you may hold some or all of these qualifications. Please note that if you are offered the appointment you will be asked to provide original certificates of these educational and professional qualifications. Please DO NOT provide these with your application. Entitlement to Work in the United Kingdom If you are shortlisted for interview you will be asked to bring to interview original documentary evidence of permission to work in the UK. Candidates invited to interview will be provided with a list of appropriate documents that can be provided as evidence. Please DO NOT provide this with your application. Due to the nature of this role and the level of qualifications required, please note that immigration legislation allows the University to apply for a sponsorship certificate for this post. Where appropriate, the University will apply for a sponsorship certificate from the Home Office UK Immigration and Visa Service on behalf of the candidate offered employment. The individual will be required to supply original documents and certificates to support this application. Workers from outside of the EU who do not have current residency status within the UK and will require entry clearance or leave to remain approval from the Borders Agency should familiarise themselves with Tier 2 (General) of the Points Based System operated by the Home Office. Details are available at

5 Occupational Health Assessment Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Occupational Health Assessment to be carried out by the University s Occupational Health Service. APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS Your completed application form should quote reference code ALC599 and be returned by not later than 12 noon on 23 May 2016 in one of the following ways: accessed via the relevant vacancy details at then downloaded in Word format to be completed electronically then saved and sent as an attachment to hr@uea.ac.uk or accessed via the relevant vacancy details from then downloaded in Word format to be completed electronically, then printed and posted to the Human Resources Division, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, or accessed via the relevant vacancy details from and downloaded in PDF format and printed, to be completed by hand and returned by post to the Human Resources Division at the address shown above or forms received by post from the Human Resources Division should be completed by hand or typed and returned by post to the above address. Postal applications will not be acknowledged unless a stamped addressed envelope/postcard is supplied. For paper submissions please ensure you add the correct postage to your application pack as failure to do so will considerably delay receipt by this office and may jeopardise your application for this post. Please note that applications received after the closing date will not normally be accepted. If you are submitting an application by post immediately prior to the closing date please contact the Human Resources Division on to let us know that your application has been posted, and if possible also send a copy by fax to or by to hr@uea.ac.uk in order that we receive these by the closing date. Please note that feedback will not normally be provided to those applicants who are not shortlisted for this post.

6 Applicants for posts with a reference code beginning ALC must ensure they submit a covering letter and three paper copies of their curriculum vitae, or one copy if submitting the application by , along with their completed application form. Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form Please note that an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form must be completed and returned with ALL applications, whether submitted by post or by . If submitted by , the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form must be sent as a separate document/attachment to the Application Form. The Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form will be detached from the received application before short-listing takes place and will not form any part of either the short-listing or decision making process. Referees In naming referees in your application, you are requested to give only those who can immediately be approached and one of these must be your current employer, or if not employed your most recent employer. Interviews It is anticipated that interviews will take place on 7 June 2016 and candidates who have not heard by this date should assume their application has been unsuccessful. Successful shortlisted candidates may be notified of their interview times by telephone and/or and it is therefore essential you include both of these in your application. Reasonable travel and incidental expenses incurred in attending the interview will be reimbursed. (Please ensure that you keep all receipts). Please note that if you are offered a post and decline the offer, travel and incidental expenses will not be reimbursed. Detailed information on the allowances will be provided on the expenses claim form which will be sent to you if you are invited to interview. This document is available in alternative formats e.g. large print, disc and on-line. If you need this document in an alternative format please contact us on , fax , or hr@uea.ac.uk

7 APPENDIX A JOB DESCRIPTION REF: ALC599 Job title: Grade : Division: Reporting to: Student Counsellor 0.6 FTE Grade 7 (ALC) Student Support Service, Wellbeing Section Head of Wellbeing JOB FUNCTION / PURPOSE: To work as part of a busy, multidisciplinary Wellbeing service, delivering a range of effective, therapeutic interventions to UEA students. The post holder will contribute to the clinical provision of the Student Support Service, working in conjunction with other teams in the Service. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES / ACTIVITIES / DUTIES: Therapeutic and Clinical To carry out initial assessments of the severity and/or urgency of psychological and emotional needs of students and determine which intervention will be suitable at that time. To demonstrate emotional resilience and an ability to calmly assess the level of potential risk. To work alongside colleagues both within and external to the service in reducing risk and to refer on where appropriate. To deliver appropriate time sensitive and occasional longer term counselling. To research online therapeutic and self-help resources and alternative methods for delivering one-to-one interventions to students. To collaborate in the development and delivery of workshop and group provision. To demonstrate a commitment to reflective practice, self-awareness and personal development. To demonstrate in their practice the value of an evidence-based approach. Team Work To contribute to a collaborative management approach in the Wellbeing Service by being actively involved in multi-disciplinary team meetings and other relevant staff meetings. To work in close partnership with colleagues across the Student Support Service. To work collaboratively with colleagues from across the University to enhance the student experience. To participate openly and have the ability to reflect constructively within peer supervision and case management meetings.

8 To be pro-active in engaging in relevant continuing professional development. To contribute to team and wider University events, including those which fall outside of normal working hours. Communication / Documentation To ensure constructive dialogue with immediate colleagues and the wider academic and student community. To engage with relevant national networks and stakeholder groups relating to student counselling and wellbeing. To present at promotional (such as campus-wide wellbeing and induction events) and training events for students and academic and administrative colleagues. To build and maintain internal networks, liaising with Schools of Study and UEA professional services as appropriate. Within the boundaries of confidentiality, to provide high quality advice on mental health and emotional support to academic members of staff and other third parties such as parents. To maintain awareness of local NHS and third sector support for mental health and emotional difficulties and know how and when to refer clients appropriately. Supervision The post reports to the Director of Student Services through the Head of Wellbeing. The post holder may be expected to provide supervision junior or trainee counsellors/therapist working in the section. As a senior member of wellbeing team, the post holder will be expected to provide clinical advice to more junior staff, including trainees when the Head of Section is unavailable. Miscellaneous The postholder will be required to comply with the University in ensuring as far as is necessary, that Statutory Requirements, Codes of Practice, University Policies and health and safety arrangements are complied with. The list of duties above is intended as an indicative guide to the main priorities and typical areas of activity covered by the post. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties at a similar level and within the general remit of the role as requested by the Director of Student Services or nominated deputy. April 2016

9 APPENDIX B PERSON SPECIFICATION Post: Division: Student Counsellor REF: ALC599 Student Support Service A variety of assessment methods may be used as part of the selection process and this will include short listing using information provided on your application form, an interview and possibly a test and/or presentation. When completing your application you should ensure that you address each of the criteria indicated and provide supporting examples demonstrating your experience where appropriate. Criteria Essential Desirable Education, experience and achievements Skills and knowledge 1. Degree or equivalent qualification or experience. 2. Minimum of a Diploma in Counselling/ Psychotherapy. 3. Accredited a relevant professional body, or able to demonstrate eligibility for such accreditation. 4. Substantial experience of assessing and working psychotherapeutically with a broad base of presenting problems. 5. Experience of working within an integrative framework. 6. Experience of working with and managing risk. 7. Experience of delivering workshop / group interventions. 16. Demonstrable communication skills in English Language. 17. Strong IT skills and a willingness to engage with IT developments in the field. 18. Skilled in the maintenance of appropriate notes and data in accordance with service requirements. 19. Understanding of the Higher Education context of the role of counselling and therapy. 8. Training or qualification in online counselling. 9. Training or qualification in therapeutic supervision. 10. Experience and understanding of working in an Education setting. 11. Experience of working within the NHS or of working collaboratively with NHS professional colleagues. 12. Experience of using online counselling. 13. Experience of delivery of guided self-help. 14. Experience of providing therapeutic supervision. 15. Experience of using a client evaluation measure such as CORE, PHQ9 or GAD7.

10 Personal attributes Special Circumstances 20. A commitment to working safely, confidentially and ethically with clients. 21. Commitment to own personal and professional development. 22. An evidence based practitioner, committed to an integrative and multidisciplinary approach to wellbeing. 23. An ability to liaise appropriately and effectively with other health professionals, university staff and other third parties. 24. An ability to assess risk and to refer on in a timely and appropriate manner when needed. 25. Ability to work on own initiative and take responsibility for projects as directed by the Head of Section/Dean of Students. 26. A strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity and a commitment to inclusion in Higher Education. 27. Recognition of the effects of discrimination on the wellbeing and mental health of individuals and a commitment to being culturally sensitive in therapeutic work. 30. Willingness to work flexibly including out of hours when required or necessary. 31. Appointment will be subject to satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. 28. Interest in practitioner based research. 29. Willingness to engage collaboratively in reflective evaluation of the work of the service.