Course Leader - DCPsych Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy

Hours: Part-time post, .4, i.e. two days per week. 

Responsible to: Principal

Background 

The New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling is a post-graduate Higher Education and training college that provides degree courses in psychotherapy, counselling, coaching, pastoral care, autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions, diversity, and related topics.  Two of these training programmes lead to doctoral degrees, jointly awarded by Middlesex University, and the remaining five lead to Masters degrees, validated by Middlesex University. 

NSPC It is wholly owned by Septimus Ltd the directors of which are Emmy van Deurzen and Digby Tantam. Septimus Ltd also owns Dilemma Consultancy Ltd, a sister company which provides psychotherapy, counselling, coaching, supervision and provides a low-cost clinic; and the Existential Academy, a not for profit community interest company that provides educational services to the public and to the wider profession. Dilemma Consultancy’s low-cost clinic provides a placement for some NSPC students, and the Existential Academy also offers a foundation course and short courses, and also a clinical training pathway that, in combination to the MSc in Psychotherapy, constitutes the Existential Psychotherapy Training. 

The Professional Doctorate in Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling (DProf) and the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy (DCPsych) were first started in 2008. Successful completion of the DProf and the Existential Psychotherapy Training are accredited by the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association (UPCA), leading to professional registration with these bodies. Graduates of the DCPsych are eligible for full membership of the British Psychological Society, and registration with the Health and Social Care Professions Council.  

All of our courses involve some online modules.  The MSc in Autism, the MSc in Psychotherapy, and the MA in Diversity are each taught solely online using our purpose-built Moodle-based virtual learning environment (VLE). NSPC also provides online teaching and supervision via Zoom. Supplementary courses for some of our students are provided by another of our sister institutions, the Existential Academy.  

For more information about NSPC and its courses see our website at: www.nspc.org.uk 

Location and ownership 

NSPC is based in West Hampstead in purpose-built premises within easy reach of West Hampstead Thameslink, West Hampstead Overground, and West Hampstead Jubilee line stations. The building is a twelve-minute walk from each of these stations. The 139 and 328 buses pass the front door. There are secure facilities for bicycles. NSPC has a green transport policy and encourages staff and students to avoid the use of private cars. 

NSPC presently has a student body of about 400, 70 part-time self-employed teaching consultants, five core academic staff who are course leaders or deputy course leaders for our programmes, 30 part-time research supervisors, a part-time librarian, a receptionist, and nine administrative staff in addition to Claire Arnold-Baker (principal of NSPC) and Danny van Deurzen-Smith (deputy principal). 

Hours of work 

Normal hours at NSPC, Fortune Green, London are 9 to 5 (including a 60 minute unpaid break). 

Qualifications 

• A Doctorate in counselling psychology
• HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist and chartered counselling psychology status with the BPS
• Familiarity with Office 365 and its apps
• Familiarity with online teaching, including the use of virtual learning environments such as Moodle
• Managerial experience and demonstrated effectiveness as a teacher
• Experience of supporting and managing students in higher education
• Demonstrate experience of successful team working
• Knowledge and interest in the existential approach 

Duties

The successful applicant will be expected:

• Teach on the induction module for new doctoral students.
• Attend Student Voice Meetings, and Progression and Exit Boards (twice yearly).
• Support the Deputy Course Leader in short listing and interview applicants
• Participate in the induction of new staff, where appropriate
• Assist the Registrar, and NSPC Principal in revising syllabi and producing various documents, such as leaflets, brochures and handbooks for validation and accreditation exercises as well as for annual updates.
• Attend the Teaching Committee to improve the programme as it evolves.
• Work with teachers and research supervisors to enhance the student experience, and to provide peer review
• Address any elements with tutors flagged up by the Deputy Course Leader as part of the review of lecturer peer evaluations
• Attend the Student Review Panel and be part of the ethics committee. Take part in Review Stage 1, PAP, and Clinical vivas as well as conduct Mock vivas.
• Support the Deputy Course Leader in taking responsibility for problem solving with students on the courses when difficulties arise and guide students through the various hurdles, giving them appropriate guidance and feedback at each point.
• Take part in relevant meetings with Middlesex University and complete relevant MU documentation (including annual return)
• Establish or maintain and develop professional accreditation and links with the relevant professional bodies and representing NSPC on these bodies where relevant, supported by the Deputy Course Leader.
• Take part in professional body meetings with the BPS and HCPC and alongside the Deputy Course Leader complete relevant documentation as required.
• Participate in general NSPC meetings and be part of the senior staff team, helping us to develop new courses or teaching methods and considering improvements to systems.
• deal with relevant correspondence, websites and databases. 

General 

• You will be joining an active and committed team and as such you will be required to cover essential roles if another member of the team is absent.
• You will be flexible about taking on new roles that are commensurate with your terms of employment if these are proposed by one of the managers.
• You will look after the environment and culture of the college, which includes being courteous and helpful to all users of the building; giving timely feedback on matters that might need action such as potential improvements to our websites, our communication methods, the fabric of the building or any other issues that pertain to recruitment, to our reputation, and to the wellbeing of all the users of the building.
• You will produce timely and accurate reports at the request of the principal or deputy principal, attend meetings regularly, and take minutes if you are requested to do so.
• Attending staff meetings and the academic team meeting.
• Contributing to marketing strategy and using tools such as social media, blog posts, publications in relevant journals to promote NSPC. 

Person specification 

• The successful candidate must be able to work well in a small and cohesive team, in which many tasks are shared between academic and administrative staff.
• They must be able to be diplomatic and supportive when dealing with students and clients, who may sometimes be distressed or frustrated. 
• They must be able to demonstrate experience of successful team working
• They must have the aptitude to learn to use our bespoke student management system 

NSPC is an equal opportunity employer.  

Applications: 

To apply, please visit our website via the 'Apply' button above and scroll down to the bottom of the page, select the “Apply now, You can apply for any of our roles here” tab 

Further information about NSPC can be found at www.nspc.org.uk or by contacting Sarah Walton sarah.walton@nspc.org.uk 

Deadline for applications: 31^st August 2024

Interviews: 7^th September 2024

Starting date of the position: 1^st October 2024, or as soon after that date as possible.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.