Lead Counsellor (Patient and Family Support Team)

POST

Lead Counsellor ACCOUNTABLE TO

Patient, Family, Carer Team Manager &

Safeguarding Lead JOB PURPOSE

To provide leadership and line management to the counselling team. The post holder will take responsibility for coordinating the day-to-day function, promoting high standards of professionalism and practice, and contribute to the ongoing development of the service. The role reports to and will work collaboratively with The Patient and Family Team Manager and Safeguarding Lead to ensure effective delivery of the counselling service. Together they will work with the multidisciplinary team to develop emotional support services to improve the effectiveness of Phyllis Tuckwell in meeting the psychological needs of patients and families, as one of the pillars of palliative care. The role also includes maintaining a small clinical caseload, providing counselling support to patients and families (including children and young people), and working collaboratively as part of the multidisciplinary team to uphold Phyllis Tuckwells values.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1.0 Professional 1.1 Maintain a high level of knowledge of professional, ethical and regulatory issues relating to counselling practice. 1.2 Deliver safe, timelimited counselling and clinical assessments to patients and families (including children and young people), as part of a maintained clinical caseload, underpinned by a grieftheoretical model. 1.3 Contribute to multidisciplinary team (MDT) working, ensuring the counselling perspective informs holistic care, and work collaboratively with the clinical psychologist and other professionals to support coordinated care. This includes contributing to the ongoing development of psychological support within the service. 1.4 Lead and oversee therapeutic work for adults and children. 1.5 Identify and escalate adult and child safeguarding concerns; manage risk in accordance with BACP (or equivalent), PT policies, GDPR and Caldicott principles. 1.6 Rolemodel ethical practice, confidentiality, and resilience, sharing best practice to foster team wellbeing. 1.7 To have an ability to recognise, evaluate, analyse and problem solve ethical dilemmas, in accordance with the BACP (or equivalent) and organisational guidelines and policies. 1.8 To work to the principles of clinical governance and risk management, contributing to risk assessments where appropriate and evidence-based interventions. 1.9 To complete all relevant reports, outcome measures and case studies as required by the counselling service and Phyllis Tuckwell. 1.10 To work flexibly on a basis agreed with the PAFS Team Manager and colleagues across service areas, which may include some weekend and evening working as appropriate. 2.0 Managerial 2.1 Coordinate, support and provide leadership to counsellors, qualified volunteers and student placements, ensuring effective case allocation and day-to-day functioning of the service, and maintaining a consistently high-quality and responsive service. 2.2 Support and develop the team through appraisal, performance oversight and day-to-day guidance, working in collaboration with the Patient and Family Support Manager to promote an open and effective communication culture. 2.3 Work collaboratively and in conjunction with the Patient and Family Support Manager to ensure effective service delivery and continuous improvement internally whilst seeking opportunities for new external collaborations that will contribute to the business planning process. 2.4 Liaise with Voluntary Services, external agencies and the Patient and Family Support Manager to optimise resources and develop collaborative initiatives. 2.5 Oversee service evaluation, qualityimprovement projects and the handling of complaints, implementing lessons learned. 2.6 Ensure compliance with PT policies on safeguarding, patient safety, lone working and recordkeeping. 3.0 Training and Development a) Team 3.1 Share best practice with colleagues, particularly in relation to developing approaches to counselling practice and service delivery and development. 3.2 Help shape and contribute to the strategic development of the counselling service and wider team. 3.3 Contribute to the ongoing development of the counselling service and wider team, including identifying and supporting quality and service improvements in practice and service delivery. 3.4 Develop and facilitate training and development sessions for staff within the hospice and wider settings where appropriate. 3.5 Keep informed of changes in professional practice and participate in continued professional development in compliance with the BACP, or equivalent. b) Personal 3.6 To attend appropriate meetings and training events updating knowledge and skills in end-of-life care, ensuring that information being supplied and clinical practice is evidencebased, relevant and up to date. 3.7 To maintain own continuing professional development in line with the BACP Register and keep up to date with advances and changes in practice and research. 3.8 To review and demonstrate commitment to developing own learning needs using the annual appraisal process and reflective practice. 3.9 To have regular individual supervision and line management meetings. 4.0 Research 4.1 Maintain awareness of current research and contribute to inter-hospice or collaborative projects where opportunities arise. 4.2 To actively contribute and take part in any quality measuring systems that PT may put in place. 5.0 Safeguarding, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 5.1 Role holders are required to understand their responsibilities in the safeguarding context, ensuring that Phyllis Tuckwell reduces the risk of harm or abuse of adults and children at risk.

You are required to

adhere to Phyllis Tuckwells Safeguarding Policy (held on the NEST), which supports the local authoritys multi agency safeguarding policy, the law (Care Act 2014) and Mental Capacity Act 2005 (including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards). inform the appropriate PT professional where there is concern that an adult or child may be at risk of harm, abuse, or neglect. Phyllis Tuckwell is committed to an Equal Opportunities approach, valuing, and respecting everyone as individuals, with diverse opinions, cultures, lifestyles, and circumstances. This job description is underpinned by Phyllis Tuckwells philosophy, culture, and core values, which actively embrace diversity and inclusion and promotes total team spirit. This job description is current and subject to yearly review in consultation with the jobholder. It is liable to reflect and anticipate necessary changes to support the PT strategy.