Kerry Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre (KRSAC) has the following vacancy:
- Adolescent Counsellor – One or two counsellors to fill 22 hours per week.
*All applicants must have relevant qualifications and experience in working with adolescent (16+) and adult clients. Position starting date will be as soon as reasonably possible.
Info on the Centre:
Kerry Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre (KRSAC) provides a range of counselling & support services to women, men, and young people (aged 14 upwards) who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives. Primarily funded by Cuan, our services are free and are provided by a team of highly qualified professionals. The services include, face to face counselling, helpline, support groups, garda and court accompaniment, advocacy, crisis intervention & counselling for survivors and their supporters or significant others. We also deliver training & awareness programmes in the community. We are committed to delivering our survivor centred services with care and professionalism and continue to strive to ensure that we provide the best service possible for all of our clients. We are looking for dynamic and highly motivated individuals to join our team at KRSAC to provide a range of professional counselling and advocacy services to young people who have been affected by sexual violence.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
- Engage with adolescents and young people (aged 14-24) in a therapeutic manner.
- Use a youth-centred approach with adolescents through one-to-one therapeutic support.
- Offer support to parents/guardians to develop and maintain a supportive and empowering relationship based on mutual respect and trust.
- Facilitate Parental Support and work in partnership with parents/guardians to encourage a consistent and positive approach to parenting.
- Offer counselling to adults when it is required by the service (in the event the waiting-list for young people doesn’t exist).
- Carry out ongoing periodic evaluations as well as a final review at the end of the counselling.
- Develop therapeutic treatment plans based on clients’ needs, interests, and abilities.
- Carry out review appointments with the adolescent and their parent/s or guardians.
- Maintain up-to-date records of all counselling appointments. These records must be written up and maintained after each appointment and retained at the Centre.
- Liaise and consult with other professionals and agencies, including medical services, Tusla, mental health services, Gardaí, and Courts, as authorised and directed by the KRSAC Chief Executive.
- Review client information sheets to ensure they are in line with best practice and relevant.
- Observe strict confidentiality in respect of all KRSAC clients and records.
- Attend monthly clinical supervision appointments. This supervision assists in the maintenance of standards of counselling care for clients of KRSAC.
- Attend monthly team meetings and any other meetings requested by the KRSAC Chief Executive.
- Engage in ongoing professional development activities. For example, attend relevant seminars, review journal or other related articles or conduct research to develop or improve therapeutic counselling techniques.
- Operate within policy, legal, ethical, and professional boundaries when working with families.
- Participate in fundraising and promotional activities as requested.
- Required to conduct other activities as assigned by the KRSAC Chief Executive as may be reasonably required.
PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION:
Qualifications:
- The Counsellor must hold a relevant professional qualification, e.g., in Counselling or Psychotherapy (Minimum Diploma level, Masters preferred).
- In addition, the Counsellor must be fully qualified and accredited by the Irish Association of Counselling and Therapy (IACP), the Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP) or an equivalent accrediting authority.
- Additional training and qualifications specific to working with adolescents and parents preferred.
- Training in working with sexual violence and trauma preferred.
- Must have relevant qualification and insurance to work with both adolescents aged 16 years and above, and adults over the age of 25. Ability to work with 14 years old and above is preferred.
Knowledge & Skill Requirements:
- A minimum of 2 years’ counselling experience, 2 years’ experience working with survivors of sexual violence, rape, intimate partner abuse or domestic abuse preferred.
- Experienced in providing individual counselling to adolescents and young people and working in partnership with parents/guardians.
- Experience in providing counselling to adults.
- Skills for assessing highly complex cases and applying appropriate therapeutic interventions in collaboration with clients.
- Must be knowledgeable of the principles of sound therapeutic and trauma informed practices with survivors of sexual violence.
- Must understand victimisation and the areas/issues relating to sexual violence.
- Ability to develop good relationships with clients, parents/guardians and establish trust from the outset.
- Empathic and compassionate.
- Good organisational skills and good communicator, verbal and written.
- Strong problem-solving skills required and must be a common-sense thinker who can be a quick decision maker when necessary.
- Capable of working as part of a team, but it is also important that the job holder can work on his/her own initiative.
- Ability to reflect on practice to facilitate personal learning, professional development and service improvement.
- Have an understanding of the societal factors that both contribute to and prevent sexual violence.
- Proficient IT skills.
The successful candidate will report to the Chief Executive and shall be required to:
- Work within the ethos and philosophy of KRSAC.
- Attend monthly group external supervision one day per month/
- Actively participate in KRSAC internal meetings.
- Foster good working relationships with external agencies and organisations including working with interpreters as required.
- Fulfil obligations as per the Children First Act 2015 and complete Children First Training as required.
- Take responsibility for one’s own continued professional development.
- Provide proof of professional liability insurance and qualifications.
- Keep up to date with best practice and procedures in line with the Code of Ethics of IACP, IAHIP, PSI, BACP or equivalent governing body.
- Work as part of the Clinical Team.
- Adhere to the policies and procedures of KRSAC.
Total Compensation & Benefits:
- Salary Scale: €49,449, €52,088, €54,709, €57,730 (Pro Rata based on 35-hour work week); starting salary will be point one of the scale or starting salary will be dependent of qualifications and experience.
- Annual Leave: 25 Days annually (pro-rata).
- Pension: employer contribution through My Future Fund.
- Paid Sick leave scheme.
- Assistance with annual professional indemnity insurance and annual subscription fee to accrediting body.
- CPD opportunities provided through the centre.
- Paid supervision for work completed for KRSAC.
Terms and Conditions:
- This is a part-time, permanent post subject to funding.
- A 6-month probation period will apply.
- Normal working hours between 9:00am to 6:00pm Monday – Friday.
- Place of work is based in Tralee. Office is based in location separate from the main KRSAC office, occasional outreach appointments in other locations may be required.
KRSAC is an equal opportunities employer
Garda Vetting and reference check of successful candidates will take place prior to offer of employment. All prospective employees are required to declare prior convictions and whether they have been the subject of inquiry into abuse or inappropriate behaviour.
Canvassing will automatically disqualify.
Short-listing will take place on the basis of the information provided in the application form. Depending on the qualifications and experience of applicants, short-listing thresholds may be higher than the minimum standards set out.
Applications should be made via email. To apply email manager@krsac.com with the following attachments:
- Cover letter (outlining your particular suitability to the role)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Two references: please provide names, addresses and position/occupation of two people (other than relatives or friends) with knowledge of you and your work to whom professional reference can be made. One should be your current or most recent employer. Both people should been in a position of responsibility within the employing organisation(s). If you are unable to provide these please give details of someone who knows you in other than a personal capacity and who is prepared to provide a reference to you.
Informal enquiries to Kristy McFetridge on 066 712 3122.
Closing date for applications is 5pm on Thursday March 12th 2026. Interviews will take place on Monday March 23rd, 2026.