We have a unique opportunity for an experienced counsellor to lead and develop a specialist perinatal counselling service, making a real impact across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Pregnancy Counselling and Care (Scotland) is a small, Edinburgh-based charity providing practical and emotional support to individuals and families during pregnancy, early parenthood, or in times of loss. Through our Baby Bank and Counselling Service, we support people when they need it most - ensuring that no one faces these challenges alone.

We are currently seeking a Counselling Lead to manage and shape our specialist perinatal counselling service across the Edinburgh & the Lothians. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced counsellor with strong leadership skills who is passionate about supporting others and improving mental health care at a grassroots level.

About the Role

The Counselling Lead is a part time role (21 hours/week), based in a hybrid fashion from home and the Gyle Shopping Centre, the base for our Baby Bank service and one of our counselling rooms, and Dialogue and Space, our other in person counselling rooms in the east of the city.

The Counselling Team includes a part time Counselling Assistant (hybrid role) and a team of (currently) ten counsellors including both qualified practitioners (senior counsellors) and trainees (placement counsellors). The Counselling Lead will manage the counselling service, line managing counselling team and will work closely with the Counselling Assistant to manage the waiting list and allocate them to counsellors appropriate to each client’s needs.

You will also play a vital role in driving forward our strategic priorities:

1. To increase capacity of our Baby Bank and our Counselling Service
2. To improve awareness of all our services and their impact on individuals and families
3. To improve the quality of the services we provide

Job Description

Counselling Delivery and Team Support

• Provide leadership and line management to our counselling team made up of sessional senior counsellors, volunteer and placement counsellors
• Work with the Counselling Assistant to agree allocation of waiting list to counsellors for initial assessments and first appointments
• Support counsellors in their work with clients via line management supervision and regular check ins with placement counsellors, regular senior counsellor team meetings and case discussions as required
• Provide in-person support for placement counsellors at both counselling venues when required, in conjunction with Counselling Assistant and Operations Manager

Counselling Team Recruitment

• Recruit senior counsellors when required, and placement counsellors on a biannual basis, with admin support from the Counselling Assistant
• Provide biannual induction training for placement counsellors and ongoing training opportunities for the team
• Oversee PVG applications for the service, with admin support from the Counselling Assistant

Governance

• Hold day to day responsibility for child and adult protection concerns within the service with support from Operations Manager
• Review counselling policies and procedures, ensuring child and adult protection procedures are followed and service remain in line with COSCA standards
• Ensure counselling premises are suitable for the needs of the service and maintain relationships with in-person space providers

Data Management

• Oversee the use of Bacpac (client management software) by all counsellors and the Counselling Assistant
• Collate statistics from Bacpac and other client feedback routes to report against KPIs

Stakeholder Relationships & Marketing

• Liaise with other referral organisations and other agencies to build up partnerships
• Promote the counselling service through awareness campaigns and creation of resources for referrers and key audiences

Service Development

• Contribute to the operational and strategic development of the counselling service
• Work as a team with all the staff, contributing to team meetings and discussions
• Provide regular reports to Board, liaise with fundraiser and Board members as required
• Liaise with Operations Manager and Baby Bank Development Workers to respond to the needs of the charity

Person Specification

Essential:

• Fully qualified counsellor with a minimum of 200 hours of client work
• Full membership to COSCA or BACP or other recognised governing body
• Willingness to work to COSCA Statement of Ethics and Code of Practice
• Current PVG membership or willingness to join the PVG scheme
• Experience in
  • Handling child and adult protection concerns and disclosures
  • Providing online and in person counselling
• Comfortable with Excel, databases, and general IT use
• Experience in training delivery or event coordination
• Strong team leadership skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication, workload and people management skills
• A proactive and positive approach to problem-solving
• Ability to work effectively, both independently and as part of a team
• Flexibility regarding specific hours worked, and attitude to activities undertaken
• A passion to support others experiencing difficulties in their lives

Desirable:

• Experience of line management supervision, preferably in a counselling context
• Clinical supervisor qualification
• Counselling experience and / or knowledge of pregnancy and early parenting-related issues
• Experience writing content for social media

Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde (HSRI) is an award winning, registered charity providing volunteer led, family centred, non-judgmental support to families with at least one child aged under five.

As a valued colleague joining our compassionate and forward-thinking team, you will be part of our vision of walking alongside families, offering early help, empowering families to build on existing strengths, to achieve better wellbeing outcomes for themselves and their children.

Main Responsibilities:

• Receiving referrals and assessing needs of families
• Introducing families to appropriate support
• Recruiting, selecting and training volunteers
• Matching and introducing volunteers to families
• Providing support, supervision and on-going training opportunities for volunteers
• Undertaking designated responsibilities to safeguard children’s welfare
• Ensuring equality of opportunity, fairness, inclusion and diversity in all aspects of our work
• Complying with the scheme’s administration, monitoring and financial systems
• Ensuring appropriate liaison with referrers and other professionals
• Contributing to and supporting the development of the Home-Start network

Location: Renfrewshire or Inverclyde, (please state preference upon application), with flexible working available

Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde (HSRI) is an award winning, registered charity providing primarily volunteer led, family centred, non-judgmental support to families with at least one child aged under five.

As a valued colleague joining our compassionate and forward-thinking team, you will be part of our vision of walking alongside families, offering intensive family support, empowering families to build on existing strengths, to achieve better wellbeing outcomes for themselves and their children.

Main responsibilities:

• Be the first point of contact for all Volunteer enquiries.
• Recruit, select and prepare volunteers in partnership with Family Support Coordinators.
• Liaise and Network with local community organisations raising awareness of Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.
• Deliver Volunteer Prep training course to newly recruited volunteers alongside Family Support Coordinators.
• Identify and manage facilitation of additional volunteer training.
• Maintain regular contact with volunteers awaiting match families or who are resting (on hold) from volunteering.
• Conduct 1:1 review for unmatched and/or resting volunteers either face to face or by telephone.
• Conduct support and supervision sessions for Group Only Volunteers.
• Organise Peer Support Sessions alongside Family Support Coordinators.
• Facilitate Volunteer events including fundraising activities.
• Ensure all record keeping is accurate and up to date on Charity Log including input of Volunteer Diaries.
• Reference checking all Volunteers.
• Support with PVG paperwork.
• Work in partnership with local Statutory and Voluntary organisations within GIRFEC framework.
• Any other duties that that required to fulfil the needs of the organisation.