Head of Counselling & Safeguarding

Head of Counselling \& Safeguarding

About The Lucy Rayner Foundation

The Lucy Rayner Foundation is a Surrey based mental health charity committed to supporting young people and families affected by mental health difficulties and suicide. We provide counselling, support groups, suicide bereavement support, mental health education and community outreach, helping people access the right support when they need it most.

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Head of Counselling \& Safeguarding to join our team and take a lead role in overseeing our counselling service and safeguarding responsibilities across the organisation.

The Role

This is a key leadership position within the Foundation, combining the management and development of our counselling service with responsibility for safeguarding across the organisation. You will ensure that our counselling service is delivered safely, effectively and to a consistently high standard, while providing leadership and support to counsellors when safeguarding concerns arise.

As our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), you will be responsible for ensuring robust safeguarding procedures are in place, understood and followed by staff, counsellors and volunteers. You will work closely with the CEO and wider team, providing advice, managing safeguarding concerns and escalations, monitoring compliance and reporting on service and safeguarding outcomes to the CEO and Trustees.

Counselling Service Management

· Oversee the day to day delivery and quality of the Foundation’s counselling service.

· Support and provide guidance to counsellors to ensure high\-quality, safe and effective practice.

· Monitor service capacity, referrals, client journeys and outcomes.

· Identify areas for improvement and support the ongoing development of the counselling service.

· Ensure appropriate processes and procedures are followed throughout the service.

· Support with recruitment, induction, supervision and ongoing development of counselling staff and practitioners where required.

· Attending local networking events.

Safeguarding Leadership

• Act as the organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).


• Provide advice and support to counsellors and staff when safeguarding concerns arise.


• Manage safeguarding concerns, referrals and escalations in line with organisational procedures and statutory requirements.


• Ensure safeguarding records are accurately maintained and appropriately managed.


• Liaise with external agencies and professionals where safeguarding concerns require escalation.


• Ensure safeguarding policies, procedures and guidance remain current and effective.


• Promote a strong safeguarding culture across the organisation.

Quality, Compliance \& Governance

• Maintain and regularly review counselling, safeguarding and related organisational policies.


• Ensure the organisation meets relevant legal, regulatory and professional requirements.


• Complete regular audits, quality assurance checks and service reviews.


• Monitor safeguarding and counselling data, identifying trends, risks and areas for improvement.


• Prepare reports and updates for the CEO and Trustees.


• Contribute to organisational risk management and governance processes.


• Ensure appropriate confidentiality, GDPR and information governance procedures are maintained.

We are looking for someone who is experienced, confident and passionate about delivering high quality mental health services and protecting the wellbeing of those we support.

You will ideally have:

• Significant experience within counselling, mental health, safeguarding or a related service.


• Experience of managing or leading a counselling or therapeutic service.


• Strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding practice and procedures.


• Experience of managing safeguarding concerns and making appropriate referrals or escalations.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.


• The confidence to provide advice and challenge when necessary.


• Strong organisational and administrative skills, with excellent attention to detail.


• Experience of developing and reviewing policies and procedures.


• Experience of undertaking audits, quality reviews or compliance monitoring.


• The ability to work independently while also being a supportive and collaborative member of the wider team.


• A commitment to confidentiality, professional boundaries and ethical practice.


• A genuine passion for mental health, suicide prevention and supporting young people.

Pay: £36,000\.00\-£40,000\.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress


• Free parking


• On\-site parking

Work Location: In person

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