Pay: £32.50 per hour

Job Description:

Adult, Young Person and Children Sexual Violence Therapist – Self-Employed Sessional Counsellor

Location: Southend-on-Sea with possible outreach across Southend, Castle Point and Rochford

Fee: £32.50 per counselling hour (self-employed sessional rate)

Caseload Expectation: Minimum of 8 clients per week

Contract Type: Self-Employed / Associate Counsellor Agreement

Start Date: As soon as possible

Application: For a full application form and more information, please contact recruitment@sosrc.org.uk

About SOSRC

• SOSRC (SOS Rape Crisis) provides specialist support to survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, promoting and representing their rights and needs. Services are delivered across Southend, Castle Point and Rochford.
• SOSRC is a registered charity (No. 1194207) working with adults of all genders, young people and children.
• SOSRC is part of SYNERGY Essex – The Essex Rape Crisis Partnership, working closely with SERICC and the Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse (CARA). The partnership is funded by the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex to deliver an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service to victims and survivors of sexual violence across Essex.

Role Overview

• SOSRC is seeking a self-employed sessional counsellor/therapist to provide specialist therapeutic support to adults and young people who have experienced rape, sexual violence or sexual abuse.
• The post holder will deliver trauma-informed, survivor-centred counselling in line with the Rape Crisis feminist ethos, maintaining professional standards of practice while empowering survivors in their recovery.
• The counsellor will manage their own caseload, working independently while being part of the wider counselling team within the Synergy Essex partnership.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one specialist counselling to adults and young people who have experienced sexual violence or abuse.
• Maintain a minimum caseload of 8 clients per week, subject to service demand and availability.
• Deliver counselling using a trauma-informed approach consistent with the Rape Crisis feminist ethos and values.
• Undertake initial assessments in accordance with SOSRC procedures.
• Complete regular risk and safety assessments using the SOSRC Safety and Support (SAS) framework.
• Maintain accurate, confidential case records in line with organisational policies and GDPR requirements.
• Update and maintain records on the Data Performance Management System.
• Work collaboratively with the Counselling Manager and wider counselling team.
• Participate in clinical supervision and relevant training where required.
• Work in accordance with SOSRC safeguarding policies and procedures for children and vulnerable adults.
• Liaise with other professionals and agencies where appropriate to support service users.
• Work flexibly, including some evening sessions, to meet client needs.
• Deliver counselling sessions face-to-face, online, or via outreach locations where required.
• The counsellor will operate on a self-employed basis, managing their own tax and National Insurance obligations and invoicing SOSRC for sessional work undertaken.
• This role description reflects the general scope of work and may evolve in response to service needs.

This list is indicative only, not exhaustive. It is intended to reflect a range of duties the post-holder will be expected to perform but additional duties commensurate with the role may be required. The job description will be reviewed from time to time and may change in light of experience and changing circumstances, in consultation with the post-holder.

Person Specification

Essential

• Diploma in Counselling (or equivalent) with a minimum of 400 supervised counselling hours.
• Accredited or registered membership with BACP, UKCP or equivalent professional body.
• Experience of providing therapeutic support to adults and/or children/young people.
• Experience working with mental health issues, trauma, or psychological distress.
• Demonstrable understanding of feminism and gender-based violence.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding procedures relating to children and vulnerable adults.
• Ability to work independently and manage a caseload.
• Experience in maintaining confidential records and case notes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with clients from diverse backgrounds in a non-judgmental way.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and database systems.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings.
• Full UK driving licence and ability to travel locally if required.
• Commitment to the ethos, values and mission of SOSRC and Rape Crisis services.

Desirable

• Experience working within the sexual violence sector.
• Experience liaising with multi-agency partners.
• Experience conducting client assessments.
• Experience in crisis intervention.
• Experience delivering telephone, video counselling or support groups.
• Understanding of inequality, discrimination and intersectional barriers to support.

Equality Statement

This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.

SOSRC is committed to diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, and welcomes applications from women from a wide range of backgrounds.

Job Type: Contract

Application question(s):

• Do you work with children and young people?
• How many hours a week can you work?
• Are you prepared to provide face-to-face, online and telephone sessions from our Southend office?
• Are you registered with a member body? If so, which one?
• Do you live in the borough of Southend on Sea, Rochford or Castle Point?

Work Location: In person