Info on the Centre:

Kerry Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre (KRSAC) provides a range of counselling & support services to women, men, and young people (aged 14 upwards) who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives. Primarily funded by Cuan, our services are free and are provided by a team of highly qualified professionals. The services include, face to face counselling, helpline, support groups, garda and court accompaniment, advocacy, crisis intervention & counselling for survivors and their supporters or significant others. We also deliver training & awareness programmes in the community. We are committed to delivering our survivor centred services with care and professionalism and continue to strive to ensure that we provide the best service possible for all of our clients. We are looking for dynamic and highly motivated individuals to join our team at KRSAC to provide a range of professional counselling and advocacy services to young people who have been affected by sexual violence.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

· Engage with adolescents and young people (aged 14-24) in a therapeutic manner.
· Use a youth-centred approach with adolescents through one-to-one therapeutic support.
· Offer support to parents/guardians to develop and maintain a supportive and empowering relationship based on mutual respect and trust.
· Facilitate Parental Support and work in partnership with parents/guardians to encourage a consistent and positive approach to parenting.
· Carry out ongoing periodic evaluations as well as a final review at the end of the counselling.
· Develop therapeutic treatment plans based on clients' needs, interests, and abilities.
· Carry out review appointments with the adolescent and their parent/s or guardians.
· Offer counselling to adults when it is required by the service (in the event the waiting-list for young people doesn’t exist).
· Maintain up-to-date records of all counselling appointments. These records must be written up and maintained after each appointment and retained at the Centre.
· Liaise and consult with other professionals and agencies, including medical services, Tusla, mental health services, Gardaí, and Courts, as authorised and directed by the KRSAC Chief Executive.
· Review client information sheets to ensure they are in line with best practice and relevant.
· Observe strict confidentiality in respect of all KRSAC clients and records.
· Attend monthly clinical supervision appointments. This supervision assists in the maintenance of standards of counselling care for clients of KRSAC. The Counsellor must act in accordance with such directions and advice as given by the Centre Chief Executive.
· Attend monthly team meetings and any other meetings requested by the KRSAC Chief Executive.
· Maintain full accreditation with the Irish Association of Counselling and Therapy (IACP), the Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP) or an equivalent recognised accrediting authority.
· Engage in ongoing professional development activities. For example, attend relevant seminars, review journal or other related articles or conduct research to develop or improve diagnostic or therapeutic counselling techniques.
· Operate within policy, legal, ethical, and professional boundaries when working with families.
· Participate in fundraising and promotional activities as requested.

Required to conduct other activities as assigned by the KRSAC Chief Executive as may be reasonably required.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION:

Qualifications:
· The Counsellor must hold a relevant professional qualification, e.g., in Counselling or Psychotherapy. (Minimum Diploma level, Masters preferred)
· In addition, the Counsellor must be fully accredited by the Irish Association of Counselling and Therapy (IACP), the Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP) or an equivalent accrediting authority.
· Additional training and qualifications specific to working with adolescents and parents preferred.

Knowledge & Skill Requirements:

· A minimum of 2 years’ experience in working with adolescents, 2 years’ experience working with survivors of sexual violence, rape, intimate partner abuse or domestic abuse preferred.
· Experienced in providing individual counselling to adolescents and young people and working in partnership with parents/guardians.
· Must be knowledgeable of the principles of sound therapeutic and trauma informed practices with survivors of sexual violence.
· Must understand victimisation and the areas/issues relating to sexual violence.
· Ability to develop good relationships with clients, parents/guardians and establish trust from the outset.
· Empathic and compassionate.
· Good organisational skills and good communicator, verbal and written.
· Strong problem-solving skills required and must be a common-sense thinker who can be a quick decision maker when necessary.
· Capable of working as part of a team, but it is also important that the job holder can work on his/her own initiative.
· Ability to reflect on practice to facilitate personal learning, professional development and service improvement;
· Have an understanding of the societal factors that both contribute to and prevent sexual violence;
· Proficient IT skills.

The successful candidate will report to the Chief Executive and shall be required to:

· Work within the ethos and philosophy of KRSAC;
· Attend monthly group external supervision one day per month;
· Actively participate in KRSAC internal meetings;
· Foster good working relationships with external agencies and organisations including working with interpreters as required;
· Fulfil obligations as per the Children First Act 2015 and complete Children First Training as required;
· Take responsibility for one’s own continued professional development;
· Provide proof of professional liability insurance and qualifications;
· Keep up to date with best practice and procedures in line with the Code of Ethics of IACP, IAHIP, PSI, BACP or equivalent governing body;
· Work as part of the Clinical Team;
· Adhere to the policies and procedures of KRSAC.