Volunteer Counsellor

About the RoleOur Cross Reach Counselling volunteers work across a range of specialities and locations, delivering services face-to-face, online and over the phone. We are a supportive, holistic team committed to providing high-quality counselling to clients when they need it most, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards.

As a volunteer counsellor with Cross Reach, you will provide a professional counselling service to a small caseload of clients, usually between 2 and 4. In-person counselling takes place at our Regional Office in Inverness, located at Cameron House. We will provide you with the necessary training and guidance to help you practise within our organisational framework, along with ongoing support and group supervision.

RequirementsWe are looking for individuals who have completed a diploma in counselling or are currently working towards one and have achieved readiness to practise. For those interested in supporting our perinatal services, a minimum of 50 clinical hours is required. If you would like to deliver counselling online, an ACTO-approved online training course is also required.

At interview, we will discuss your availability, the number of clients you can support, your case work, and your commitment to supervision. You will also be asked to provide the name and contact details of your external supervisor.

Recruitment and ChecksFollowing a successful interview, we will apply for your PVG membership, either as a new application or an update to an existing one.

Professional StandardsCross Reach Counselling is a member of COSCA and adheres to its Statement of Ethics and Code of Practice. Our practitioners are either qualified and registered with a Professional Standards Authority recognised body, such as BACP, COSCA, BAAT or UKCP, or are in the process of gaining their qualification.

Our ValuesWe are looking for volunteers who demonstrate openness and respect towards Cross Reach's Christian ethos, alongside a compassionate and inclusive approach to supporting others.

Interview DatesInterviews for this role will take place on 25th August and 1st September.

Cross Reach has been at the forefront of high quality social care for over 150 years, providing loving care to people of all ages and supporting them to live life to the full whatever their circumstances. During that time, we have worked hard to understand the needs of the people who turn to us for help and with them have been at the forefront of pioneering services which have literally changed thousands of lives for the better.

Today we are one of the largest social care providers in Scotland, with experience across a broad range of services. We are still growing, learning, and improving, thanks to the incredible people we have the privilege to support, and all those who support us. We are part of the Church of Scotland and aim to provide social care services and specialist resources in Christ's name to further the caring work of the Church to people in challenging circumstances.

As we do our work in Christ's name you must be respectful of our Christian Ethos and be able to work within it.

This post requires you to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme and undertake the necessary vetting checks. You will also be required to be registered with SSSC and it is your professional responsibility to ensure that you meet the standards and criteria for registration.

We have a legal obligation to ensure that we do not employ any worker who has not been granted the relevant permission to work in the UK. This permission is without exception granted by UK Visas and Immigrations. We are required to check the entitlement to work in the UK of all prospective employees, regardless of nationality or job category.

We are committed to ensuring that we attract, retain, and develop the very best people to build a diverse and talented team and we recognise that every individual's unique background, experience and ability contributes to our success. We aim to create an inclusive and inspiring environment where individuals feel valued and respected and where people can belong, thrive and be their very best,…