Kerry Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre (KRSAC) has the following vacancy:
- Counsellor/Psychotherapist for Two Days (14 hours) weekly.
*Starting date for position will be the first week of June 2026.
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:
- Provide counselling and support to KRSAC clients and service users in a non-judgemental and therapeutic manner.
- 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.
- 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 clients.
- 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.
- Work as part of the Clinical Team.
- Report to the Chief Executive.
PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION:
Qualifications:
- Must hold a relevant professional qualification, e.g., in Counselling or Psychotherapy. (Minimum Diploma level, Masters preferred).
- 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 (PSI, ICP, BACP).
- Training in working with sexual violence and trauma 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.
- Experience in providing counselling to adults.
- 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 and establish trust from the outset.
- Skills for assessing highly complex cases and applying appropriate therapeutic interventions in collaboration with clients.
- 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.
- Actively participate in KRSAC internal meetings e.g., staff meetings, clinical meetings as appropriate.
- Take responsibility for one’s own continued professional development.
- 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.
- Attend monthly group external supervision one day per month.
- 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.
- Provide proof of professional liability insurance and qualifications.
- 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 (14 hours per week) 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 at the Centre currently based at 5 Greenview Terrace, Tralee, Kerry, V92 YX90.
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 Tuesday March 24th, 2026.