Rape Crisis Midwest Adolescent Counsellor

Applications are invited for the post of Adolescent Counsellor. The successful applicant will be based in Rape Crisis Midwest Limerick office but may be scheduled to work at different times in other locations in the Midwest region.

About Rape Crisis Midwest

Rape Crisis Midwest (RCM) works for the protection of all people from all forms of sexual violence and abuse. It primarily supports survivors of sexual abuse and violence through free, confidential, and non-judgmental support and counselling, working from an intersectional feminist framework. RCM deliver services utilising a survivor-centred and trauma-informed model. RCM operates from the knowledge that survivors have the capacity to grow and heal and that they are the experts in what they need. Survivor identified indicators of recovery and healing inform the way in which services are delivered and developed. A trauma-informed model means services are offered with the understanding that a survivor’s reactions are a normal response to trauma. RCM believes that responding to sexual violence in our society and holding perpetrators to account starts with supporting survivors in ways that are respectful of their dignity, healing and choices. RCM works to hold perpetrators accountable for their behaviour and counteract victim blaming. The headquarters for Rape Crisis Midwest services is in Limerick with outreach centres in both Ennis and Nenagh. Our service delivery includes counselling; Garda and court accompaniment; advice, to both survivors, and their supporters; and sexual violence training to individuals and organisations. We work nationally in partnership with Cuan – the Domestic, Sexual & Gender Based Violence Agency and Rape Crisis Ireland.

Job Description & Person Specification

Job Title: Adolescent Counsellor.

Reporting to: Executive Director

Job Summary: Will provide a range of professional counselling and advocacy services to young people who have been affected by sexual violence.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Engage with vulnerable, adolescents and young people old in a therapeutic manner.
• Use a youth-centred approach to support the client to make positive changes through one-to-one therapeutic support
• Develop therapeutic and treatment plans based on clients' needs, interests, and abilities.
• Facilitate Parental Support.
• 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.
• Evaluate the results of counselling methods to determine the reliability and validity of treatments.
• Keep an accurate record of all counselling appointments made and all cancellations/non-attendances in the counselling online system.
• Liaison and consultation with other professionals and agencies, including medical services, Adolescent protection workers, mental health services, Gardaí, and Courts, as authorised and directed by the Executive Director
• Observe strict confidentiality in respect of all RCMW clients and records and to keep all records (including handwritten notes) relating to RCMW clients at the Centre only
• Attend regular clinical supervision appointments
• Attend monthly team meetings and any other meetings requested by the Executive Director
• Maintain full accreditation with the Irish Association of Counselling and Therapy (IACP), the Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP) or an equivalent accrediting authority such as IAPTP.
• Will engage in ongoing professional development activities/ CPDs etc
• Operate within policy, legal, ethical, and professional boundaries when working with families.
• Deliver educational programmes and/or workshops/talks to relevant groups as required
• Any other duties as required

Person Profile

Qualifications:

• The Counsellor must hold a relevant professional qualification, e.g., in Counselling or Psychotherapy. (Minimum Diploma level) (Essential)
• 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 (Essential)
• Have completed Rape Crisis specialised training (e.g. RCNI training or equivalent) (Desirable)

Knowledge & Skill Requirements:

• Experienced in providing individual counselling appointments to adolescents and young people.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in working with adolescent survivors of sexual violence, rape and Adolescent abuse or Domestic Abuse.
• Must be knowledgeable of the principles of sound therapeutic practices with survivors of sexual violence.
• Must understand victimisation and demonstrate practices sensitive to sexual violence issues in therapy
• Extensive knowledge of the areas/issues relating to sexual violence
• Ability to develop good relationships with clients and establish trust from the outset.
• Good communicator, verbal and written.
• Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office packages
• 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 their own initiative.

Terms & Conditions:

• This is a three day a week (21 hrs) permanent post subject to funding and six month probation period
• Annual leave for this post will be 17.5 days per annum
• Gross salary for this post is €27,403 per annum
• Organisational pension of up to 5%

NOTE FOR ALL APPLICANTS

• Garda Vetting is a requirement. All prospective employees are required to declare prior convictions and whether they have been or ever having been the subject of any investigation or inquiry into abuse or other inappropriate behaviour.
• Please send completed application form and cover letter outlining your suitability to the role to info@rapecrisis.ie – closing date 25th October 2024 at 5pm. CV’s will not be accepted as application.
• Rape Crisis Midwest is an Equal Opportunities Employer.