Counselling Support and Outreach Coordinator - England

Location: Home working with travel to support events being held in the areas that you are covering. Initially this post will provide maternity cover in the areas of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Avon and Somerset. Following further expansion of our services in July 2025, the post-holder will cover the areas of Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset. Occasional travel to 2wish Head Office in South Wales.

Objective:

2wish exists to provide support to anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person aged 25 and under.

Aims:

• Ensure every Emergency Department and Critical Care unit has a suitable bereavement suite
• Ensure that bereavement boxes are available at each of these hospitals
• Ensure that immediate bereavement support is available for all affected by the sudden death of a child or young person
• Provide a professional counselling service and other therapies for those affected by the sudden death of a child or young person
• Provide support to individuals who witness the sudden death of a child or young person
• Provide support and training to professionals from any sector who may be affected by the sudden death of a child or young person
• To advocate and campaign on behalf of suddenly bereaved families

2wish Cymru and 2wish :

2wish has been established since 2012 and has grown from strength to strength. During this time, we have worked tirelessly to embed our service and ensure that the offer of support is made at the point of death.

We offer an immediate, consistent, high-quality and compassionate service to all individuals affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person aged 25 and under. We work in partnership with professionals who refer into the charity on behalf of families, so they don’t have to trawl through the internet for an organisation who may, or may not, be able to support. We provide immediate, and ongoing, support and are here for as long as our families need us.

In January 2024 we launched phase one, of a ten-phase expansion strategy, into the bordering counties of England and Wales, namely; Cheshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Avon and Somerset. In July 2025, we plan to launch phase two of the expansion and will continue to roll out our service across the whole of England in the coming years.

Context of role:

2wish support anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person aged 25 and under. Based in Wales and more recently, in the bordering counties with England, our charity provides immediate casework support, as well as ongoing aftercare services including counselling, alternative therapies, play therapy, support groups, support events and a respite cottage.

As we continue to expand our services across England, the successful candidate will play a vital role in the development of the expansion into England and will join a new team delivering a high-quality service in the second of ten phases across England, known as Phase 2. In July 2025, phase 2 will commence and include Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset, which are the areas this role will be responsible for.

The ideal applicant will reside in Wiltshire or Dorset as, prior to the launch of Phase 2, a period of maternity cover will be required for Phase 1, which includes Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. We are recruiting for this role to commence as soon as possible.

Main duties:

Service:

• To coordinate support services including counselling, complementary therapy and play therapy for bereaved individuals
• To receive and contact historic and/or professional referrals directly from professional agencies, bereaved individuals, or the immediate support team
• To contact all individuals within 48 hours of receiving a support service referral
• To liaise with counsellors, complementary therapists and play therapists to arrange and coordinate support 1.5: To recruit new counsellors and therapists within your geographical boundaries and surrounding areas and build a community of therapists to engage with 2wish
• To deliver awareness training to secondary referral partners in healthcare settings, schools and workplaces on the use of the bereavement boxes, the services we deliver, how to refer into the charity and bereavement awareness
• To set up, coordinate and attend regular coffee mornings for bereaved individuals
• To set up, coordinate and attend regular coffee mornings for professionals and stakeholders
• To plan, organise and attend bi-monthly family and sibling events
• Attend any other relevant forums
• To contribute to and monitor the Counsellors and Therapists Facebook page and any other 2wish social media platforms as required
• To work consistently to raise awareness of 2wish in the community and with key partners across the regions you work within
• To support in the planning of and attend the annual 2wish Conference
• To submit monthly/quarterly/annual reports to Bereavement Services Manager as required
• To signpost and/or refer to other agencies that can provide support as required

General:

• To be responsible for organising own work agenda, time management and administration
• To show respect and sensitivity for the cultural and religious beliefs of families
• To undertake learning opportunities and seek them out for the team
• To adhere to all company policies and procedures including Safeguarding, Confidentiality, Health and Safety and Lone Working; and to be proactive in implementing new safe working practices as appropriate
• To attend weekend and evening community events in support of the charity as necessary
• Participate as and when required in team meetings and one-to-one meetings, and undertake, as appropriate, courses/training/other developmental activities, which is relevant to the role

It is the nature of the work that tasks and responsibilities are in many circumstances unpredictable and varied. All employees are therefore expected to work in a flexible way and tasks which are not specifically covered in their job description may have to be undertaken. You will be subject to performance review, which will incorporate a review of the above duties and performance over the period.

This role is subject to a DBS check.

Salary: Starting salary of £24,000 per annum, with the opportunity for an increase through the annual appraisal structure.

Contract type: Permanent - initially providing maternity cover for England Phase I and then covering England Phase II

Hours: Normal office hours are 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday, although alternative hours may be worked with line manager agreement. Work outside office hours may sometimes be necessary and will be compensated for by time off in lieu.

Annual leave: 28 days plus bank holidays. Annual leave steadily increases after five years of service. Annual leave and statutory holidays are calculated on a pro rata basis where applicable.

Pension: 2wish operate a contributory pension scheme. 2wish will auto-enrol you into the scheme in accordance with it's auto-enrolment obligations. Full details of the scheme will be provided to you once you are enrolled, including the minimum level of contributions that you will be required to make during your membership (current contributions - employer 3% and employee 5%).

Mileage: A fixed rate allowance is payable for agreed mileage undertaken on 2wish business in a private vehicle, over and above your usual journey to your workplace/s.

Location: This post is predominantly home based, with regular travel across the areas you will be covering and occasional travel to our Head Office in South Wales.

Additional benefits for our employees:

• An 'Employee Assistance Programme,' including wellbeing support
• Free parking on 2wish premises
• Free branded 2wish clothing
• An extra annual leave day on your birthday
• Incremental increase in holiday entitlement based on length of service
• Paid sick leave
• Discounts for personal purchases on 2wish Merchandise
• Discounted tickets to UK 2wish events for staff and family
• Extra holiday entitlement when taking part in 2wish overseas events
• Company mobile phone for performance of duties
• Tools/equipment required for the performance of duties Reimbursement of work expenses
• Bright Exchange employee discounts
• Auto-enrolment into the company contributory pension scheme

Closing date: Friday 10th January 2025. Interviews will take place during the week commencing Monday 13th January 2025.

Location: Gloucester, GB

Posted Date: 12/23/2024