Access NI

Zest Counselling Child Protection / Vulnerable Adults Policy

Zest Counselling is committed to the welfare and protection of all young people and vulnerable adults whilst attending counselling.The Organisation is committed to supporting and empowering young people to address the issue that impact on their lives, in a safe environment. We follow the guidance issued by the DHSSPS in “Our Duty to Care” and “Choosing to Protect”. To this end, the organisation is committed to good practice which includes:

Recruitment and Selection

All paid and unpaid staff are recruited in accordance with the recruitment and selection policy of the agency. This includes a job/role description and person specification for every post, applications forms, declaration of convictions, references and interviews. Enhanced Access NI checks are carried out on all posts. All staff are subject to a probation/trial period before confirmation in post. If an existing staff member or volunteer moves to a new post/role they will be Access NI checked in relation to the new post/role.

All clinical supervisors to the agency will be recruited in accordance with our recruitment and selection policy for tendering/time-limited independent contract work. All will be enhanced Access NI checked.

Board members will be recruited annually through our AGM and will be enhanced Access NI checked.

All consultants/trainers to the agency will be recruited in accordance with our recruitment and selection policy for tendering/time limited independent contract work.

Support and Supervision

All staff are required to participate in regular line management supervision, and counsellors are required to participate in regular clinical supervision in accordance with the supervision policy and monthly clinical away days. In addition it is the counsellors responsibility to avail of continuous Personal and Professional Development opportunities in line with BACP ethical framework and work within their limitations.

Training

All counsellors are suitably qualified on selection. All new counselling staff are required to undergo and induction training programme before undertaking work on lifeline regional 24/7 helpline or face-to-face counselling. An introductory child / vulnerable adult protection certificate is mandatory within the first year of appointment. All counselling staff are offered and expected to participate in on-going training in relation to the counselling post in line with BACP guidelines for continued Professional Development.

Individual training needs are identified in line management and clinical supervision. Annual training in child protection will be provided. Designated officers will receive training appropriate to their role.

The designated child protection officers for Zest Counselling are the Clinical Director and Director of Corporate Services.

Code of Practice

Zest works within the BACP ethical framework. Counsellors working for Zest are expected to hold individual membership of BACP or equivalent and agree to abide by the code or ethics.

Complaints

All clients, parents and referring agencies are informed of the agency practice and complaints procedure.

Make a Donation

Every year Zest helps over 700 people from 11 years of age and upwards in the Western area, through individual counselling, support for family and friends and complementary therapies.

Every penny counts, and we are thankful to our donors.

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Our Funders

Public Health Agency / Halifax Foundation NI / Big Lottery Fund

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