Key tasks:

• To develop and promote a positive relationship with the service user with whom the volunteer is matched
• Have good listening and communication skillsBe non-judgemental in approach and trained in counselling
• To manage appropriate professional boundaries in the relationship
• To be consistent and dependable.Maintain confidentiality and other policies and procedures, in accordance with IRIS/Cranstoun’s guidelines
• Work in conjunction with the Lead Counsellor to provide a quality service
• Maintain records for monitoring, evaluation and tracking purposes plus service evaluation.

Qualifications & training:

• A clear theoretical model in counselling
• Qualified counsellor or in the final year of a Diploma course (or equivalent) that leads to being a qualified counsellor
• Awareness of general issues facing this client group.

Skills & abilities:

• Sound communication and listening skills
• Commitment to supporting the needs of this client group
• Ability to sensitively and appropriately relate to the client group
• Ability to form positive, supportive therapeutic relationships with clients
• Reliable, organised, consistent, dependable and have an ability to handle a level of stress
• A caring, sympathetic, sensitive manner and a non-judgemental approach.

Experience:

• Experience or understanding of working with issues such as addictions, stress, bereavement, anxiety, and depression
• Experience of working with a range of people from different backgrounds and working with vulnerable people
• Experience of working with adults in the counselling field.

Other requirements:

• Commitment to incorporating equality and diversity principles into all aspects of own work
• Adherence to professional code of ethics and good practice (e.g. BACP)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and abide by all other IRIS Partnership Reading policies and procedures
• An enhanced DBS check will be required
• Be willing to keep accurate records, review the client work with the Recovery & Wellbeing Lead and service user, undertake record sheets, monitoring and participate in the evaluation of the service
• Have own clinical supervision in place.