Counsellors

Counsellor at Bushypark Residential Centre on a permanent basis (full-time or part-time options available)

Location: On site / On Site

Job type: Permanent / Full Or Part-Time

Sector and subsector: Voluntary/Charity | General

Salary: Competitive salary

Clarecare is a professional social enterprise with charitable status, providing a range of person-centred social services to individuals and families in County Clare for over 58 years. Current services provided include Family Support, Elderly Care Services, Child & Adolescent Counselling and Bushypark Residential Addiction Treatment Centre.

Clarecare’s headquarters are based in Ennis with local offices in Bushypark, Shannon, Kilrush, Killaloe and Ennistymon. 

Bushypark Residential Treatment Centre is a Clarecare service, offering a 28-day Residential Programme for people with alcohol, drugs, gambling, and associated addictions, based on evidence-based models of treatment. In addition to residential treatment, the Centre also offers Community based Programmes, such as the Cocaine Initiative, Gambling Supports Family Support, Aftercare and a range of other recovery-based supports.

Bushypark is supported by HSE Alcohol and Drug Services, MWRDAF, Probation Service, HSE Mental Health Service, Gambling Care and other local funders.

Overview of Bushypark Addiction Treatment Centre:

The Counsellor position forms part of a multi-disciplinary team, led by a Psychotherapist/Clinical Supervisor. The existing team includes Counsellors, Psychotherapists and Night Staff who work on a full-time or part-time basis. Counsellors are employed in both the residential and community-based services within the Service. As an integral Service within Clarecare, Bushypark Addiction Treatment Centre provides a range of services for people impacted by addiction and other health and societal related issues within the Mid-West and wider geographical regions. Bushypark has established and enhanced links nationally and internationally in the development of its ongoing programmes.

Bushypark has recently opened its new extension to Bushypark House (funded by HSE), thus enabling the Service to increase its in-house capacity to 16 residents in addition to enhancing our community-based services to meet a growing demand within the region and beyond.In addition, Bushypark has refurbished its Family Centre on the grounds of Bushypark, thus enabling the expansion of services to support clients and family members with addiction related issues.We have developed further services in the areas of dual diagnosis and related aftercare with enhanced online counselling services, resulting in increased services in rural areas.

Bushypark provides support to concerned persons across its services, from our confidential phone line to our aftercare programmes. We deliver Family Support Programmes in Ennis, Limerick and in Bushypark. Additional Family Support is provided on-line and by phone to meet individual family needs. As stated earlier, Bushypark works in conjunction with a number of Voluntary and Statutory Agencies both in terms of funding and also in working with clients collectively. We are part of both local and national fora and working groups thus ensuring that we remain at the forefront of programme delivery and are committed to improve the quality of our evidence-based Treatment Programme interventions.

Bushypark has well developed working relationships with Medical Insurance Providers (VHI, LAYA, Irish Life), the HSE Mental Health Service, HSE Addiction Services, Probation Service, Gambling Awareness Trust, Local Employers and a range of other services who support our clients to access both the residential and community-based projects. Bushypark has long established links with both Clare and Limerick Local Sports Partnerships, MWRDAF and other services to deliver aspects of our programmes.

Due to Bushypark’s expansion of Services, we now have the following additional vacancy/vacancies:

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Counsellor – Permanent Role (1x Full-Time position or 2 x Part-Time positions)

ROLE:

In conjunction with a significant capital investment expansion project at Bushypark Treatment Centre, we now have an immediate additional vacancy to join our Counselling Team based in Ennis, Co. Clare. The successful candidate will work as part of the clinical team in providing assessment, evaluation and psychological interventions as appropriate to individuals, couples and families who present to the service for support with addiction and related issues. You will case manage individuals within the centre during treatment episodes.

JOB RELATIONS: 

The Counsellor will work as part of the Bushypark Team and will report to the Senior Counsellor and be supported by the Residential Services Manager. Reporting structures are subject to change.

JOB LOCATION: 

The Counsellor will be based in the Bushypark Addiction Treatment Centre, Ennis, Co. Clare. Remote/Hybrid Working does not apply to this role as it is an on-site role.

JOB DETAILS: 

The successful candidate will work as part of the Treatment Team in Bushypark and liaise regularly with the same. Flexibility and willingness to travel and work outside of normal hours is necessary. The successful candidate will also be required to work with The Cocaine Harm Reduction Project Initiative, and in other elements of our Community based service, from time to time. Training and supervision will be provided to the successful candidate.

HOURS OF WORK: 

This is a permanent position and may be filled on either a full-time basis (40 hours per week) by one successful candidate, or on a part-time basis (20 hours per week) x 2 successful candidates, depending on the outcome of the recruitment process. The role includes working one Saturday and one Sunday (alternating) in every six-week cycle. Rostered hours of work will vary and may include weekday shifts from 8:00am to 4:00pm, 9:00am to 5:00pm, or 1:00pm to 9:00pm on a rotational basis, as well as weekend shifts from 9:00am to 9:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

You will receive advance notice of your rostered working hours. Clarecare reserves the right to amend working hours from time to time in line with operational requirements. Flexibility in relation to working hours is required to meet the needs of the service.

Salary: The gross salary per annum for full-time roles is €49,673.37 for full accredited Counsellors and €38,402.36 gross per annum for part-accredited Counsellors, commensurate with relevant experience.

For part-time roles, the salary will be pro-rata based on the full-time equivalent salary. The maximum gross annual salary for a part-time Counsellor is €24,836.68 for full accredited Counsellors and €19,201.18 for pre-accredited Counsellors, commensurate with relevant experience.

Once, pre-accredited Counsellors receive full accreditation – their gross salary will increase in line with full accredited Counsellors upon submission of full-accreditation certification to Clarecare.

In addition, and subject to funding, a further 2% salary increase will apply from 1st October 2026. This will apply to both full-time and part-time roles on a pro-rata basis where applicable. This however, should not be interpreted as providing for any additional salary increases beyond the above stated terms as Clarecare is a part-funded Section 39 entity and not a fully funded (Section 38) Agency.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION:

General Responsibilities:

• To be accountable to the Bushypark Senior Counsellor and be supported by the Residential Services Manager or designate.
• To adhere to both Clarecare and Bushypark policies and procedures in relation to your work.
• To maintain files in accordance with CHKS accreditation standards in order to ensure that good record keeping practices are in place.
• To fulfil the administrative responsibilities of the post.
• To complete statistics as required by the line manager.
• To maintain professional boundaries in all work with clients.
• To comply with the clinical standards of the Centre.
• To support the work of staff, volunteers, students and others involved in Bushypark and Clarecare.
• To actively participate in regular external personal supervision as required by your accrediting body and provide receipt of attendance.
• To actively participate in in-house team monthly supervision.
• To engage in in-house and other relevant training and to keep up to date with new developments in addiction, counselling and psychotherapy.
• To perform such other duties appropriate to the office as may be assigned to you by the Bushypark Senior Counsellor/Residential Services Manager or designate.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical Practice:

• One to one work with clients with addiction issues and their concerned persons.
• Developing individual strategies and care plans with residents in the centre.
• Developing aftercare plans with residents and family members.
• Facilitating group sessions and family conferences.
• Carrying out clinical screening, assessments and intakes with clients.
• Liaising with referral agencies and other relevant services.
• Preparation and delivery of lectures to resident groups and family groups.
• Case managing clients where necessary in line with NDRIC.
• Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and on own initiative.
• Support clients and concerned persons pre and post treatment via phone / on-line platforms.
• Support clients who are engaging in the Bushypark Aftercare Programme and other post-treatment recovery supports.
• Development of progression routes for clients including referrals to self-help groups, community initiatives and other specialised services.
• Participate in Clinical Multi-disciplinary Team meetings and liaise with GP’s and/or other primary health care staff, Psychiatric Services, Statutory/Voluntary and other agencies as required.
• Observe professional ethical standards and behaviours as required by Bushypark/Clarecare policies and guidelines e.g. Children First, Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse, Freedom of information Act, Data Protection Act, etc and requirements of relevant Professional Accrediting Bodies, ensuring confidentiality of records and security of same.
• Maintaining relevant records and files as required by Bushypark and Clarecare.
• Facilitate and participate in clinical audits and quality audit projects when required.
• Be responsible for overseeing the running of the Service while on duty at evenings/weekends.

Essential Requirements:

• A professional qualification in Counselling or Psychotherapy to at least Level 7 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) - QQI.

OR

• Have an equivalent qualification and full registration from another jurisdiction.

AND

• Be fully accredited or awaiting full accreditation as a Counsellor with Addiction Counsellors of Ireland (ACI) or as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist with the Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (IACP) or a relevant body within the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP)

AND

• A minimum of 1 years post qualification paid employment working as a part/full accredited Counsellor, with individuals and/or groups where addiction issues are part of your work experience.

AND

• Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and management ability) to ensure the proper discharge of the responsibilities of these roles.
• Working knowledge of the Biopsychosocial model of addiction treatment.
• Excellent communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills with the ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• Excellent facilitation and group work skills.
• Well-developed computer skills i.e. MS Word, Excel and Outlook to facilitate you devising reports and care plans, etc.
• Excellent organisation and planning skills.
• Be committed to his/her continuous professional development (CPD).
• Be willing to work weekends every 6 weeks.
• Ability to maintain the principles of confidentiality in all areas of work.
• 2 positive references from current/most recent paid employment.
• Positive current Garda Vetting Disclosure via Clarecare.
• Undertake a Pre-employment Medical Assessment.
• Undertake any other relevant duties as assigned.
• Full clean driving licence.

Benefits:

• 26 days annual leave per annum, excluding Public Holidays, for full-time employees. Part-time employees will receive a pro-rata entitlement based on their contracted hours.
• Paid external session of private supervision per month.
• In-house supervision provided.
• Free access to Employee Assistance Programme Services via VHI.
• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme Membership on successful completion of probation (6 months duration). My Future Fund Pension Membership on commencement of employment until successful completion of probation (mandatory).
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Access to Sick Pay Scheme on successful completion of probation (6 months duration).
• Access to Clarecare’s Wellness Programmes.

NOTE: The foregoing contains an outline of the main duties and cannot be complete. You will be required to respond flexibly when ad hoc tasks arise which are not specifically covered in this job description. This includes additional duties which may arise from future legislation affecting the Charities sector.