Alcohol Counsellor

Job description

Working pattern – 5:30pm to 9:00pm Monday, 1:30pm to 9:00pm Wednesday, 9:00am to 5:00pm Thursday and 10:00am to 6:00pm Friday.

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:

To provide an alcohol counselling, advice and information service for individuals aged 16 and over with problematic alcohol use or affected by other people’s problematic alcohol use. The service will be provided from North Claremont Street Office and community settings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to GCA meeting the national waiting times target for addiction services of referral to treatment in three weeks or less.
• Provide high quality alcohol assessments and counselling to individuals.
• Ensure all paperwork is completed accurately and professionally and work with the admin team to ensure the database is kept accurate and up to date.
• Expand GCA’s counselling service in local communities.
• Provide alcohol assessments to individuals and help them to identify and prioritise their goals.
• Provide a high-quality counselling, advice and information service in North Claremont Street Office and in community settings.
• Carry out regular reviews of client progress to ensure the effectiveness of the counselling process and signpost/refer individuals to other services as appropriate.
• Support volunteer counsellors with any queries they may have.
• Adhere to the ethical frameworks of an appropriate governing body (e.g. COSCA).
• Attend regular practice supervision and line management meetings and participate in appropriate meetings and training opportunities.
• Keep informed about developments in the counselling and alcohol fields.
• Write Case Studies of counselling clients for reports and training.
• Contribute to the daily running of North Claremont Street Office by answering the telephone in a professional manner, taking referrals for services and messages for colleagues, covering scheduled appointments if required and seeing clients who dropin to the service.
• Work as a team with colleagues from all departments of GCA to the benefit of clients.
• Understand Health and Safety responsibilities.
• Carry out any other duties that the Service Manager – Counselling may reasonably request.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Advanced Alcohol Training Essential
• Diploma in Counselling Essential
• Minimum 150 hours (post qualified) supervised client practice Desirable
• Practice Supervision Qualification Desirable
• Experience of working in the addictions field and counselling adults with problematic alcohol use Desirable
• Experience of inter-agency working and working in community settings Desirable
• Report writing report writing Desirable
• Knowledge of issues faced by adults with problematic alcohol use and harm reduction approach to alcohol issues with an enthusiasm for working in the alcohol field Essential

Skills and Competencies:

• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to empathise with a broad range of individuals and experiences
• Planning, co-ordination skills and time management skills
• Good administrative and IT skills
• Ability to maintain resilience and capacity whilst working complex client issues
• Commitment to working in line with GCA’s values of collaboration, respect and empathy
• Self-aware and self-directed positive approach.
• Ability to empower individuals to change with a non-judgemental approach

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.

Job location: GCA Office in North Claremont Street.

Hours and pay: 24 hours per week – permanent.

Posted 6 days ago

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