Make a difference – Board Members required

Glasgow Council on Alcohol (GCA) aims to reduce alcohol and drug related harm, and risk of harm, at an individual and community wide level, through a long-term, asset-based approach to changing the culture of alcohol and drug use. It does this by delivering a range of interventions and services such as alcohol counselling, alcohol brief interventions (ABIs), employability support and groupwork as well as delivering a comprehensive training portfolio, including Addiction Awareness, COSCA Counselling Skills and a Diploma in Integrative Counselling.

GCA has been delivering specialised trauma informed alcohol counselling since 1965 to support those drinking at harmful and hazardous levels and who wish to make a positive change. The counselling approach is integrative and aims to address the presenting alcohol problem but also work with the inevitable accompanying life problems related to it. In our experience around 65% of individuals who access GCA will not have engaged with statutory services or recovery communities. GCA services have expanded to include a range of holistic services to support individuals in recovery from drugs and/or alcohol. Services we provide include; counselling, wellbeing support, a women’s only service for survivors of gender-based violence, and an LGBT health and wellbeing service. Currently GCA delivers services in Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire.

We are looking to expand membership of our Board of Directors, to develop the strategic direction, support the aims and objectives and ensure good governance. If you can devote the time and are motivated to assisting us we would welcome your application.

We would be particularly interested in hearing from enthusiastic individuals who have experience in strategy and governance, with skills, experience and knowledge in any of the following areas:

• Marketing/PR

• Finance/accounting

• Legal

• Charity Governance

• Health and Safety

• Academia

• Business Development

Board membership is voluntary and unpaid, although travel expenditure may be reimbursed. Learning and development opportunities exist for all Board members, including induction training.

2 x vacancies – one role will involve working Monday evenings, the other will involve working one weekend per month (your preference will be discussed at interview).

We understand that many will have other commitments outside of work and so flexible working, part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements will be considered for the right candidate.

About Us:

Glasgow Council on Alcohol (GCA) was founded in 1965 and is the oldest established Council on Alcohol in Scotland. GCA is a voluntary organisation working to reduce the harm caused by alcohol misuse through the provision of a range of high quality advice, information, counselling, support, prevention and education and training services.

Our mission is to provide evidence-based support to individuals, communities and government to improve health and wellbeing across Scotland.

The foundation of GCA is our supportive and inclusive culture for all who engage and work with us.

GCA deliver services over 6 days per week and throughout Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire.

About the Role:

The Diploma in Integrative Counselling is a COSCA Validated 2 year part time course. GCA is one of the founding COSCA members and adheres to the COSCA ethical framework for good practice in counselling, psychotherapy and counselling skills. The course requires tutors who are accredited by COSCA to Diploma level or committed to work towards accreditation. Tutors should be experienced Counsellors who are accredited with an appropriate professional body, or working towards accreditation (e.g., COSCA/BACP/UKCP).

The Course Tutor / Trainer will be embedded in one Diploma Class but will be expected to contribute to other classes when required and deliver COSCA skills courses and CPD training workshops when required.

Course Tutor / Trainers will be required to work evenings and weekends. Course Tutor / Trainers will also be assigned a specific class/cohort to work with.

Key Responsibilities:

• Facilitate learning; delivering lectures, tutorials, experiential groups, supervision and observed skills practice feedback.
• Contribute to the creation of Diploma Policies and Procedures, including maintenance and updating of the course handbook.
• Create learning plans and appropriate materials in relation to both the Diploma and other COSCA course or CPD
• Attend Team Meetings/ Liaise with other Course Tutor / Trainers about course content & materials
• Issue pre course reading to students at regular intervals
• Engage with students via the Moodle forum on the learning support platform
• Hold responsibility for student welfare, offering 1:1 session to the students for whom the tutor is nominated personal tutor
• Mark and cross mark allocated assignments and provide written feedback, via Moodle and Turnitin
• Respond to correspondence by students via Moodle/email and ensure emails are checked and responded to on a weekly basis
• Share responsibility for monitoring content on Moodle, ensuring it has been updated for the class and ensuring materials in a variety of format are uploaded
• Keep adequate records, for example attendance, 1:1 recording, skills observation feedback, assignment extensions requests etc
• Assess students for fitness to practice and offer professional references in relation to placement, endorsement to practice and COSCA membership
• Support the Monitoring and evaluation of training
• Liaise with placement providers to ensure students can access opportunities in line with course requirements in liaison with the Lead Course Tutor
• Participate in the assessment interviews and intake of new students, liaising with the Head of Diploma and Training, Lead Course Tutors and Training Co-ordinator.
• Contribute to development of a CPD calendar, leading on aspects of planning and delivery
• Undertake any other duties as required by Head of Diploma and Training.

Qualifications and Experience :

• Diploma in Counselling/Psychotherapy
• Training qualification
• Accredited COSCA Diploma Trainer (or eligible to work towards this)
• Accredited COSCA/BACP/BABCP/UKCP
• Two Years Post qualified clinical experience
• Proven experience in education, training and delivering presentations.
• Proven experience in group working and enabling participation, partnership working preferable.

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage with groups of people across age ranges
• Presentation and team working skills
• Ability to develop and deliver a range of training programs and support resources
• Knowledge of addiction issues, Motivational interviewing and Alcohol Brief Intervention Techniques and Trauma and trauma informed approaches
• Commitment to working in line with GCA’s values of collaboration, respect and empathy
• Ability to work proactively with strong self-direction and motivation.

Why Join Us?

• Your work will contribute to make a real difference to people’s lives.
• Competitive salary and benefits package :
  • Very generous annual leave entitlement: full time employees start with an annual leave entitlement of 37 days (inclusive of 12 bank holidays) which increases with length of service.
  • Duvet days where employees may take time off at short notice.
  • Death in service policy.
  • Cycle to work scheme where employees can save money on a new bike and spread the cost.
  • And much more!
• Opportunities for continuous learning and career development.
• A supportive and inclusive work environment where your contributions are valued