Thank you for your interest in the GriefChat service and joining the GriefChat team. You can find out more about being a GriefChat counsellor by watching this video, and at www.griefchat.co.uk.

GriefChat supports bereaved people via webchat, 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday. Our shift patterns are: 9:00-12:00, 12:00-15:00, 15:00-18:00 and 18:00-21:00. Please note that although we aim to offer you around a shift per week, regular shifts are allocated as and when they become available, and this will probably not be straight away, so please be prepared to start with covering on an ad-hoc basis. We are particularly interested in counsellors who have good flexibility in their diaries and are able to cover with a few days' notice.

Main purpose of role

GriefChat exists to improve access to bereavement support, providing information, emotional support and signposting. GriefChat Counsellors work flexibly to support clients in acknowledging and normalising grief reactions and building resilience for the future. The main purpose of this role is to provide high quality online chat and emotional support to a range of clients using the GriefChat service.

You will need to be able to work in a private space with a laptop or computer with adequate security protection and a private, stable internet connection.

Person Specification (open in new tab)

Qualities

Commitment to delivering the highest quality of support to a wide range of GriefChat clients
Empathy and emotional intelligence
Flexibility of approach and ability to be adaptable
Personal integrity
The ability to respect people’s differences in both experiences and outlook; demonstrating a positive approach to diversity and offering respect and sensitivity to all regardless of their background, culture, lifestyle etc.
The ability to work remotely but within a team
The ability to solicit and respond to constructive feedback

Essential Knowledge and Experience

Professional qualification in counselling – at least Diploma level qualification
Experience of working within a helpline-based service (on the phone or using text-based communication)
Specific bereavement training
Experience of supporting clients through bereavement
Continuing professional supervision (evidence required)
Continuing professional development (evidence required)
GriefChat Counsellors are registered with an appropriate professional body e.g. British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), National Counselling Society (NCS), UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) or the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)

Skills

Excellent communication skills including via text-based or web-based services
The ability to use an empathic tone of voice in a text-based service, and willingness to learn
The ability to flexibly utilise a range of approaches to supporting clients
The ability to create a positive and creative chat environment
The ability to use technology (web-based meetings, chat software, email, Microsoft packages etc.)
The ability to work autonomously; administration and self-management skill

Role Description (open in new tab)

1. To be online, aware of any ongoing chats and ready for the beginning of the GriefChat shift ten minutes before it starts.

2. To accept chats from clients and offer flexible bereavement support (emotional first aid, normalising and reassurance) to individuals on bereavement issues, and any other matters which are causing the individual to feel that they need additional support.

3. To talk to multiple clients at the same time.

4. To end chats in a timely and agreeable manner in line with service standards.

5. To work within a team, support each other and communicate with GriefChat staff and other counsellors throughout your shift, including handing over with counsellors at the beginning and end of your shift.

6. To complete and return all required documentation and monitoring information.

7. To keep up to date with information and developments in the service.

8. To undertake initial training, ongoing training, review sessions and participate in formal support provided to Counsellors by GriefChat.

9. To comply with GriefChat’s confidentiality, security and privacy policies.

10. To be an ambassador for the GriefChat service.

Remuneration

Starting at £10 an hour (shift patterns are 3 hours each) payable monthly on receipt of an invoice. There are opportunities for progression within the service.

Reporting to

Nicola Massey, GriefChat Manager.

Interviews will be week commencing Monday 31 January, and training will start two weeks later. You must be able to attend one of the following training webinars:

Thursday 17 February 09:00-12:00

Friday 18 February 12:00-15:00

If you now feel ready to apply, please press the 'apply now' button, which will take you to the application form. Please complete the form as fully as possible and if you have one, then please upload your CV too.

If you have any questions please contact us by email: [email protected] or give us a call on 01524 889823.

By being successful in your application you will also be considered to work with our other counselling services.

Thank you and good luck!

Submit Your Application

Submit CV (optional)

First Name*

Last Name*

Title*

Email*

Home Phone No.

Mobile No.*

Street*

Town/City*

County*

Postcode*

If you have any professional social media accounts, LinkedIn etc then please provide the links in the box below.

Social Network and Web Links

Provide us with links to see some of your work (Git/ Dribble/ Behance/ Pinterest/ Blog/ Medium)

Do you have the right to work in the UK?

Please confirm you have the right to work in the UK *

(Note: The company will require proof of this right before an offer of employment can be conformed - e.g. Birth certificate and/or other appropriate document required to confirm your right to work in the UK as required by the Asylum & Immigration Act 1996)

Counselling Education

For this role we are looking for candidates with a minimum of a Level 4 Diploma in Counselling or related subject. All courses must also have included as a minimum 100 Practice Hours with Clients.

Please use the box below to tell us about your highest level counselling qualification; include the Institution or Training Provider, date course commenced & completed date & qualification gained.

Institution or Training provider : Date course commenced : Completed Date : Qualification Gained:*

Please summarise your educational background*

Employment History

For this role we are looking for candidates who have previous work or voluntary experience in Bereavement Counselling and also within a Helpline or Web-based Chat Service.

Please use the boxes below to tell us about your most recent experience in these two areas.

Name & Address of Employer & Nature of Business*

Job Title*

Start Date:*

End Date:

Main responsibilities of this role:*

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Name & Address of Employer & Nature of Business:*

Job Title:*

Start Date*

End Date

Main responsibilities of this role*

Please provide brief details of your other employment history: Include; Company Name, Job Title, Start & End Dates*

Membership of Professional Bodies & Further Training

Membership of Professional Bodies - Organisation, Date joined, Membership Grade*

Details of relevant training courses attended & awards achieved, including dates*

Suitability for this position

Please use the space below to detail your suitability for the position you are applying for, in relation to the role description & person specification, giving specific examples of relevant skills, bereavement training & experience.

Suitability*

Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Disability and accessibility: if you require any special arrangements to assist you, please let us know

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

As an organisation assessing applicants' suitability for positions which are included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order using criminal record checks processed though the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), GriefChat complies fully with the Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. GriefChat undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a criminal record check on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed.

Background Check DBS/PVG Scotland/Access NI

Are you in possession of an Enhanced Disclosure (not more than 12 months old)?*

If you have a current Enhanced Disclosure, please state the date on which it was obtained

If not, one will be required - we can help you to obtain one.

Are you a member of the DBS update service? www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service*

Supervision

Please give the details of your Supervisor below (Supervisors will not be contacted without your prior approval)

Name:*

Company:

Address

Email Address:*

Phone Number:*

Please indicate the regularity of your supervision*

Please give the last 3 dates of your supervision:*

Referees

Please give details of two work related referees, including your current or most recent post. (Referees will not be contacted without your prior approval).

Referee 1 - Name:*

Referee 1 - Position:

Referee 1 - Company:

Referee 1 - Address:*

Referee 1 - Phone:*

Referee 1 - Email:*

Referee 1 - Nature of Relationship:*

******

Referee 2 - Name:*

Referee 2 - Position:

Referee 2 - Company:

Referee 2 - Address:*

Referee 2 - Email:*

Referee 2 - Phone:*

Referee 2 - Nature of Relationship:*

Please confirm that should you be successful, you will be available for interview wc 31 January*

Please confirm that if successful, you will be able to attend one of the two training webinars on 17 or 18 February.*

I understand that I won't be offered a regular shift to start with, but that this will happen when one becomes available*

I certify that all information which I have provided is correct.

I understand that any false information given may result in a role offer being withdrawn:*

Signed:*

Date:*