Counsellor - Maternity leave cover

We are seeking an experienced, compassionate and professionally qualified Counsellor to join our Counselling and Mental Health Service within the Student Experience Group on a 12-month maternity cover contract.

You will provide high-quality, short-term counselling and clinical assessments to students experiencing emotional and psychological difficulties, helping to support their wellbeing, academic engagement and progression. Working collaboratively with colleagues and external mental health professionals, you will manage a varied caseload, assess and respond to risk, make appropriate referrals and contribute to psychoeducational workshops and wellbeing initiatives.

JOB PURPOSE:
To provide high-quality, short-term counselling and clinical assessment to students experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties, supporting wellbeing, academic engagement and progression. The postholder will manage risk, safeguard students and make appropriate referrals within professional ethical frameworks, while contributing to a whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing. To practise an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- To be an active member of the Counselling Team, providing responsive, professional counselling to students, including comprehensive clinical and risk assessments and determining suitability for short-term counselling.
- To manage an ongoing caseload, typically up to 10 clients per week (over a 2-day work week), delivering short-term counselling (normally up to 6 sessions), with flexibility for longer-term work where clinically appropriate.
- To identify and respond appropriately to students at risk, including those experiencing mental health crises, and to ensure effective referral, escalation, and safeguarding actions where required.
- To design and deliver psychoeducational workshops, group sessions, and wellbeing initiatives for students.
- To work collaboratively with colleagues (e.g. Counsellors, Clinical Lead, Psychiatrist, GPs, and external mental health services) to support case management and coordinated care, particularly for complex or high-risk cases.
- To contribute to the development and delivery of training for staff and students, in collaboration with the Clinical Lead, where required.
- To represent the Counselling and Mental Health Service at university events and across campuses.
- To maintain a high standard of professional practice by working within recognised ethical frameworks and the policies and procedures of the service.
- To engage in clinical supervision and continuous professional development (CPD) in line with professional body requirements.
- To maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date clinical records in accordance with legal and professional standards on the CMS.
- To effectively use information and communication technologies to support service delivery.
- To comply with relevant legislative and regulatory requirements (e.g. Data Protection Act 2018, GDPR, Health & Safety, UKVI, Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.
- To undertake such other duties, temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION – Essential Criteria:

Education, Qualifications & Training:
- Professional qualification at Diploma, Degree or Masters level in Counselling, Psychotherapy or Counselling Psychology.
- Accredited, or working towards accreditation, with a recognised professional body such as BACP, UKCP or BPS.

Knowledge & Experience:
- Experience with young adults/adults and knowledge of issues including transitions, self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, substance use and examination anxiety.
- At least two years of post-qualifying experience delivering supervised therapeutic interventions, including some experience in an institutional setting.
- Ability to make sound clinical judgments about serious risk of harm and appropriate clinical responses.
- Commitment to delivering an excellent, responsive and inclusive student experience.
- Ability to identify and respond to clients requiring psychiatric assessment or support.
- Understanding of the role of a counselling service in a university setting.
- Thorough understanding of BACP/UKCP ethical frameworks and good practice guidelines.

Skills:
- Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with a multidisciplinary team and wider University colleagues.
- Commitment to ethical principles within BACP/UKCP frameworks.
- Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools and relevant information and communication systems.
- Ability to work under pressure and see up to five clients per day.
- Ability to develop and deliver training for staff and students.
- Willingness to use supervision effectively to monitor fitness to practise.

Special Requirements:
- Availability to work Wednesdays and Fridays, attend monthly team meetings and peer supervision, travel between campuses as required, and potentially cover weekend provision where needed.
- An Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required for this position.

BEHAVIOURAL INDICATORS:
- Managing self and personal skills: Being aware of own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
- Delivering excellent service: Providing the best quality service to external and internal customers/students/stakeholders. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up customer service standards.
- Working together: Working collaboratively and across boundaries with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

BENEFITS:
- 30 days holiday per annum, plus bank holidays and closure days
- Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
- Training and development support opportunities
- Contributory pension scheme
- Free gym membership for on-site gym
- A range of staff discounts with major retailers