Cancer Carer Counsellor at Sunderland Counselling Service

Contract Type: Fixed term

Role Type: Employment

Hours: Part time

Application deadline:

Based: Newcastle

Salary: £31,049 to 37,796

Salary Type: Salary Scale

Location: Tyne and Wear

Role description: Project Support

Counsellor - Cancer Carer Service

 Hours: 18.75 hours per week which are to be worked on a Monday, Thursday and Friday

Salary: AfC Band 5 comparable (£31,049 to £37,796) p/a pro rata

Contract type: Fixed-term for 24 months

Location: Freeham Hospital, Freeham Road, Newcastle, NE7 7DN.

Sunderland Counselling Service (SCS) is seeking to appoint an effective counsellor to work as part of our Specialist Cancer Carer Counselling Service in the Freeham Hospital.

We are a unique independent mental health charity and company limited by guarantee, acknowledged for our contribution to the community by mental health professionals, health practitioners and local and regional voluntary and statutory agencies.

This is a new service, and the successful post holder will provide a person-centred service providing support by creating an understanding of the psychological, neurological, social, cultural and spiritual impact cancer can have, as well as reducing fear/anxiety in relation to cancer and building resilience in carers enabling them to carry out their important role.

This service will work effectively in partnership with cancer psychology services within Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust to support the implementation of a localised, integrated psychosocial pathway. The post holder will be fully aligned to existing cancer psychology teams there. This will aid the delivery of the service by providing a consistent point of contact with referrers, the Newcastle Hospitals Cancer Workforce, to build relationships, discuss suitability, and develop pathways.

Counselling will be provided from the Freeham Hospital to ensure access is both easy and time. Occasional domiciliary visits may be necessary according to client need. The post holder may be called upon to use a personal means of transport while engaged in the work of the service for which travel expenses will be available. The role may also occasionally require the post holder to work confidentially from home depending upon client need, in these instances appointments will be offered over the telephone or online.

The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of individual counselling services to adults over the age of 18 who have a loved one who has been diagnosed with cancer or are at any stage of treatment for cancer and for whom counselling may be of benefit.

Interventions will focus on dealing with the emotional impact and effects of diagnosis and illness to reduce the mental and emotional distress experienced by carers, as well as increasing the range of coping strategies available to the carer and support available to them. Indirectly this service will support patients with a cancer diagnosis by strengthening the support system around them.

Therapists will be expected to complete a comprehensive assessment of needs with their clients and counselling will be offered as part of a six-session model. Counsellors will be expected to ensure the client has access to appropriate ongoing support and liaise with partner agencies as required according to their treatment needs.

If you would like further information about this role, please contact Kelly Burton, Services Manager or Marianne Guthzeit, Clinical Lead on 0191 514 7007.