Ever wanted to use your talents and expertise to enhance and improve the lives of people with mental ill health or in emotional distress?

Mindspace Limited, one of Scotland’s most exciting mental health charities, based in Perth, offers an experienced Counselling Service alongside Scotland’s first independent Recovery College and Peer Support Hub working with hundreds of people across the county.

We are looking for enthusiastic, community-minded and experienced individuals of any age and background with skills to help our charity to succeed. The Board is responsible for the overall governance of the organisation and we are seeking to recruit new Trustees who will strengthen and complement our existing Board members.

What you bring:- commitment, experience, passion, drive and enthusiasm, alongside a good sense of humour.

The role:- support the organisation to meet its legal, financial and ethical obligations whilst providing an outstanding service to the people of Perth and Kinross.

The Commitment:- available to meet on average 6 times per annum for early evening Board meetings.

Mindspace is a community based voluntary organisation committed to supporting and promoting the mental wellbeing of people in the Perth area. Mindspace is funded by NHS Tayside, Perth & Kinross Council, the Scottish Government, and donations. Mindspace’s objective is to promote mental wellbeing in a safe and supportive environment. Services are provided through Counselling, Recovery College and Peer Support.

Purpose of Role:

To provide counselling in schools for young people aged 10-18 based in the locality’s secondary school with some provision of counselling to year 6 and 7 pupils within the community.

Responsibilities:

• Provide a professional counselling service to children and young people aged 10–18
• Contribute to service development.
• Work within Mindspace’s policies and procedures
• Liaise with Assistant Senior Counsellor to ensure high standard of service delivery
• Engage in regular external counselling supervision at a level consistent with BACP requirements
• Maintain confidentiality and child protection appropriate to the school setting
• Follow good practice and ethical guidelines as required by BACP
• Maintain records of clients and hours worked, and provide appropriate statistical returns as required
• Liaise as required with admin staff
• Attend regular wellbeing meetings as required by the school

Accountable to: Assistant Senior Counsellor

Requirements

Qualification

• A counselling diploma at post graduate level
• Accredited or eligible for accreditation with a professional counselling or psychotherapy organisation
• Specialist training in counselling young people
• Current membership of BACP or COSCA

Experience

• Minimum of 450 hours of supervised practice gained over no less than two years
• Competency in working within a recognised theoretical framework
• Have worked therapeutically with young people
• Knowledge and understanding of Child Protection issues – ensuring knowledge is current and up-to-date
• Ability to maintain confidentiality appropriate to the setting
• Ability to work effectively within a team and with colleagues from other disciplines
• Ability and experience of using counselling supervision
• Understanding of particular issues related to counselling vulnerable, disadvantaged young people
• Ability to deliver counselling assessments
• Knowledge and use of counselling monitoring and evaluation systems
• Experience of developing services and liaising with partner organisations

Personal Qualities

• Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing
• Motivated, enthusiastic and self-aware
• Ability to work independently while mindful of accountability
• Ability to travel to other schools within the locality as required

THE ORGANISATION

Mindspace Limited is a community-based volunteer organisation committed to supporting and promoting the mental wellbeing of people in the Perth area. Mindspace is funded by NHS Tayside, Perth & Kinross Council, Health and Social Care Partnership, the Scottish Government, Funding Trusts and donations. Mindspace’s objective is to promote mental wellbeing in a safe and supportive environment.

PURPOSE OF POST

The Adult Recovery College was formed in October 2015. Our purpose is to develop and deliver programmes of self-management, awareness and information sessions for adults with lived experience of mental ill-health to promote wellbeing and recovery. We need an enthusiastic and skilled facilitator to join our team and continue the development of the Adult Recovery College in partnership with the Young People’s Recovery College, Peer Support and the Mindspace Counselling service.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and deliver a structured programme of learning opportunities with people with lived experience, colleagues and partners.
• Participate in external forums, workshops and events to promote the work and ethos of Mindspace.
• Monitor, evaluate and improve learning delivery and resources to enable continuous learning and quality of service.
• Ensure that adequate records are kept following GDPR guidelines, whilst ensuring the confidentiality of all people.
• Contribute to the development of service guidelines, policies and protocols to ensure that the organisation maintains its high-quality services.
• In collaboration with the Senior Recovery Facilitator and Chief Executive, set appropriate missions and goals to ensure the continued development of the service.
• Undertake other duties which may be required, and which are commensurate with the post.

The responsibilities outlined above are not intended to be exhaustive and merely serve to indicate the nature and range of tasks involved. They reflect the current needs of the service and in consultation with the postholder are liable to be varied to reflect or anticipate changes to the developing nature of the service.

Professional / Educational Qualifications

Essential Requirements

• Experience in facilitating training programmes.
• Evidenced portfolio of continuous development.
• Desirable Requirements
• Educated to degree level or demonstrable evidence of equivalent.

Relevant Work / Other Experience

Essential Requirements

• Knowledge of mental health issues and appropriate referral mechanisms.
• Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Evidenced examples of positive interactions with groups and individuals.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience of working in educational/learning environment.
• Lived experience of mental health issues is viewed positively.

Particular Skills / Abilities

Essential Requirements

• Experience of working with people in a learning environment.
• Ability to prepare accurate and informative reports.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal & written communication skills.
• Excellent organisational, administrative and computing skills including Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrable interest in cultural diversity and equal opportunities.
• A calm but practical approach to solving problems.
• Excellent team working skills.
• Commitment to providing a high-quality service.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritise between competing demands and work to strict deadlines.

Desirable Requirements

• Knowledge of current challenges and opportunities facing the voluntary /third sector.
• Experience of developing and delivering learning.
• Experience of reporting to Line Manager, Funders and Board.
• Experience of implementing relevant health & safety requirements.

Personal Qualities

Essential Requirements

• Ability to work with minimal day to day supervision.
• Full driving licence.
• Access to a car.
• Must be willing and able to work some evenings and Saturdays.

Desirable Requirements

• Willingness to learn new skills and ways of working.

Employment Details

• The post-holder shall be employed by Mindspace (a registered charity in Scotland SC 002072).
• This is a fixed-term post.
• The post holder will work 35 hours per week. Hours may be worked over six days –Monday to Friday including possible evening work and Saturday mornings.
• Annual leave entitlement is 25 days per annum plus 10 public holidays. This will increase to 30 days per annum plus public holidays after 5 years completed service. The leave year runs from your start date.
• The post-holder will be line-managed by The Senior Recovery Facilitator
• There is a probationary period of three months.
• The appointment is terminable on one month’s notice in writing from either side.
• An enhanced check through Disclosure Scotland will be required.
• Mindspace operates a money purchase pension scheme.
• In line with good practice, job descriptions are reviewed regularly.
• Salary: £25,207.00 per year.

Mindspace Limited is one of Scotland’s most exciting mental health charities based in Perth. We offer a high-quality counselling service alongside Scotland’s first independent Recovery College and amazing Peer Hub and work with hundreds of people across the county of Perth and Kinross.

We are seeking a motivated person to oversee the day to day delivery of the counselling service for adults 16 plus; to ensure high quality service delivery consistent with legal requirements, good practice and ethical practice. The post holder will manage recruitment, induction and support of both trainee and experienced counsellors and ensure cohesion between the Counselling Service, the Recovery College and Peer Hub to make certain clients receive best and appropriate care and treatment.

The Organisation

Mindspace Limited is a community based voluntary organisation committed to supporting and promoting the mental wellbeing of people in the Perth area. Mindspace is funded by NHS Tayside, Perth & Kinross Council, Health and Social Care Partnership, the Scottish Government and donations. Mindspace’s objective is to promote mental wellbeing in a safe and supportive environment.

Purpose of Post

The Young People’s Recovery College has established strong and positive working partnerships across the Perth and Kinross area. We work within Primary Schools and with a wide variety of statutory and third sector partners to deliver programmes of self-management, awareness and information sessions for young people supporting their understanding and navigation through times when emotions and feelings in relation to mental health and wellbeing are challenging.

We need an enthusiastic and skilled facilitator to join our team and continue the development of the Young People’s Recovery College in partnership with the Adult Recovery College and Counselling service.