Would you like to be part of an organisation which, in the words of one service user, saves lives?

NEECS was established in 1995 to support the people of North East Edinburgh improve their mental wellbeing. We provide free and donation based one-to-one professional counselling for young people and adults who are experiencing mental health challenges.

As a member of the board, you'd be shaping our strategic vision, providing good independent judgement and making sure that everything we do is underpinned by strong governance. You'd also act as an advocate for NEECS.

Who we are looking for

It is important that our Board is made up of people with a range of experiences, skills, backgrounds as well as lived experience, to help us to shape, support and realise our mission and aims.

Please note: we particularly encourage applications from individuals who are historically under-represented on boards due to age, disability, ethnicity, faith or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, education, socio-economic background, or those with caring responsibilities. Candidates who may not think they fit the typical criteria required for Board membership, but who are inspired to contribute to our work, are warmly encouraged to apply.

Previous board experience is not necessary, but you’d be expected to take part in some training to prepare you for the role.

You also need to bring a passion for improving access to counselling across North East Edinburgh - especially for people affected by multiple factors of marginalisation. In addition, we'd love to hear from you if you bring experience in any of these areas:

• Charity management
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Law
• Income generation
• Health / Social Care

North East Edinburgh Counselling Services (NEECS) has been providing counselling, either for free or on a donation basis, in North East Edinburgh since 1995. Service users are referred by their GP and can receive up to 12 counselling sessions to support the mental health issues they are experiencing.

Would you like to come and work for an organisation which, in the words of one service user, “saves lives”?

We are currently looking for a part-time manager (c. 25 hours/ week) to co-ordinate the entire end-to-end service proposition of NEECS from managing people to securing funding.

Manging one member of staff and a team of sessional, self-employed counsellors, this role is an opportunity to take NEECS into a sustainable future.

At present we have guaranteed funding to the end of April 2023, with the hope this will continue.

What are we looking for

Someone with a passion for improving mental health in the local community

A track record of securing external funding

An inclusive leadership approach

Communication skills which will enable NEECS to take advantage of modern social media

What you will get in return

An entirely flexible approach to the role - want to work from home, a coffee shop, do some hours in the evening? Fine with us.

A salary of £ 31542- £ 36129 per annum (pro-rata)

27 holidays a year (pro rata)

North East Edinburgh Counselling Services (NEECS) has been providing counselling – either for free or on a donation basis in North East Edinburgh since 1995. Service users are referred by their GP and can receive up to 12 counselling sessions to support the mental health issues they are experiencing.

Would you like to come and work for an organisation which, in the words of one service user, “saves lives”?

We are currently looking for sessional counsellors to come and join NEECS to provide counselling to our clients on a one to one basis either via telephone, Zoom or face to face.

Counsellors and supervisors are accountable to the manager, who reports back to the Board of Trustees.

• This particular vacancy requires the counsellor to be able to offer one-to-one counselling, online/telephone and face-to-face.
• To undertake initial client sessions and make appropriate mutual assessment as to the suitability of counselling/NEECS.
• To regularly attend the supervision provided by NEECS, and participate in practice reviews. The counsellor must attend a fortnightly Wednesday group from 4.30pm.
• To regularly record information required for monitoring & evaluation, and to liaise with the Service Co-ordinator on day to day matters.
• There are approximately 6 team meetings annually, which counsellors are expected to attend.
• A small amount of in-house training/CPD is provided, which counsellors are expected to attend.
• NEECS is a member of BACP and COSCA, and all counsellors must work to
• NEECS Code of Practice, which incorporates the Ethical Frameworks of
• these professional bodies.
• All counsellors new to NEECS work an initial 3 month “probationary period”, which allows for mutual assessment, and during which they attend individual monthly supervision in addition to their group supervision.
• Payment of £25 per hour for counselling sessions is made, according to the Code of Practice.
• NEECS insurance includes practice insurance for counsellors.

Essential requirements:

• Counselling training completed to a minimum of Diploma Level of a course involving face to face teaching/learning, and a supervised practice element.
• A minimum of 2 years post qualifying counselling practice, comprising of no less than 250 hours.
• Experience in undertaking initial client sessions and assessing the suitability of counselling.
• Experience of working in the short and longer term with clients.
• Knowledge of mental health issues.
• Ability to fulfil the team time commitment required for counselling, supervision, team meetings and training.

Desirable requirements:

• Familiarity with group supervision (NEECS counsellors and supervisors work within a range of orientations).
• An understanding of the work of counselling services in the voluntary sector.