JOB DESCRIPTION

UK DonorLink Sessional Counsellor

UK DonorLink was established in 2003 with the support of a Department of Health grant. The purpose of the pilot project is to provide a voluntary information exchange and contact register for donors and donor offspring.

In the past it has been difficult, if not impossible, for adults born with the help of donated sperm or eggs to obtain information about their biological heritage. There has been a widely held view that offspring of donor conception are better off not knowing. Today, we know that many donor offspring wish to have the opportunity to find out about their donors and that many donors wish to know about offspring conceived with the assistance of their donation. It is for this reason that the UK register is to be established by After Adoption Yorkshire, a regional post-adoption service experienced in offering support to all parties in adoption.

UK DonorLink seek to recruit a number of sessional workers throughout the UK who will be able to offer counselling/support/information to potential applicants to the register.

It is difficult to anticipate the demand for this service and therefore UK DonorLink counsellors must be prepared to work on a sessional basis and possibly travel to meet with applicants to the register. A fee will be negotiated for the provision of this service.

UK DonorLink counsellors will be expected to complete a two day training programme in January provided by UK DonorLink in Leeds to familiarise themselves with the issues presented by the Voluntary Contact Register. There will be an expectation that counsellors will work closely with UK DonorLink, which is to be based in Leeds. Regular supervision will be available.

All donors and donor offspring intending to use the register will be encouraged to see a UK DonorLink counsellor for at least one counselling/information session when they will explore the implications of placing their name on the register. They may then choose to have subsequent meetings with their worker.

The register link will be made with the use of DNA profile for each applicant. UK DonorLink counsellors will be required to have an understanding of the following:

• the implications of requesting DNA testing
• the identity issues associated with donor conception
• the impact of loss
• secrets in families
• reunion issues
• data protection

For further discussion please phone Lyndsey on this web site, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Closing date for application is 1 December 2003.

Personal Specification
Click here to download application form