Counsellor jobs

35.5 hours per week / £34,475 per annum, pro rata / permanent / working pattern to be confirmed (can be discussed at interview)

YMCA DownsLink Group is the leading charity for children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. We offer safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice.

We believe that every child and young person has the right to be safe, heard and to shape their own future. We work alongside them to make that happen.

We are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections – guide us in all our actions.

We have an exciting opportunity for a qualified, experienced Wellbeing Counsellor – Global Majorities Specialist to join our innovative Children and Young People (CYP) Wellbeing Service, the central hub for all mental health referrals for young people in Brighton & Hove.

In this role, you will provide culturally responsive assessments, counselling (both face-to-face and online), and group work for children and young people aged 8–24 from Black, mixed heritage and Global Majority backgrounds. You will create safe, inclusive spaces where young people feel heard, understood and supported to explore their wellbeing.

Alongside this, you will contribute to wider service delivery by supporting assessments and therapeutic interventions for young people from all backgrounds, helping ensure a flexible and responsive service. You will also play an active role in triaging referrals, working collaboratively across the CYP service to promote equitable and timely access to support.

A key part of the role is building meaningful relationships with Global Majority-led and community organisations, helping strengthen partnerships across the city. You’ll also share your expertise with colleagues, supporting inclusive practice, co-production, and equitable approaches to service design, recruitment and delivery.

If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate.

You will hold a Graduate or Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling or Psychotherapy (minimum two years), alongside BACP accreditation (or eligibility for accreditation) or registration with a relevant professional body.

You will bring experience of working with children and young people aged 8–24 with mental health needs, including delivering evidence-based, low-intensity interventions. You are a confident and collaborative team player, comfortable working under supervision and within a multidisciplinary setting. You will have strong safeguarding knowledge, the ability to run groups or structured activities, and be able to communicate clearly and sensitively, both verbally and in writing.

You will have experience of supporting children and young people from mixed heritage or Global Majority backgrounds, with an understanding of the importance of culturally responsive practice. Knowledge of, or experience working alongside, local statutory and voluntary services will be important in helping young people access the support they need.

Above all, you will be able to work ethically and effectively with children and young people within a time-limited framework, building trust, promoting resilience, and supporting positive outcomes.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 14 June 2026 at midnight. 

PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorship for this role, so applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. 

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. 

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity check.

About our organisation

For nearly 50 years, nia has provided high quality, women-led services across North and East London. nia has three main aims: to provide services for women, children and young people who have experienced male violence, working to end men’s violence against women and girls, and to inform and influence policy and public awareness.

nia’s values, and our commitment to upholding them, set us apart. We put women first – always and without hesitation: we believe women, we are run by women, for women. We leave no woman behind: we challenge inequality and discrimination and believe that uniting women of all backgrounds is essential to ending the sex-based oppression of women.

About our services

East London Rape Crisis provides free, confidential specialist support for women and girls who have been raped or experienced any other form of sexual violence or abuse at any time in their lives, regardless of whether or not they have reported to the police. We offer confidential and independent support. Services include advocacy, emotional and practical support, one-to-one counselling and group work.

About the role

In the role of Young Women and Girls Counsellor, you will provide one to one counselling and group therapy to young women and girl survivors of sexual violence aged 11-17 years old. You will specifically be championing the development of the counselling offer for young women and girls. You will work as part of a growing feminist Rape Crisis service that is developing to meet the needs of women and girls.

We’re looking for a highly organised and self-motivated woman who is passionate about ending violence against women, girls and children. You’ll have a ‘can-do’ approach and demonstrable commitment to nia’s feminist approach to supporting women and girls. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minoritised women, young women with lived experience and those who have experience of accessing services as a young woman/girl.

Job Title: Young Women and Girls Counsellor 

Hours: 14 hours per week

Salary: £12,600 – £14,000 per year (FTE £31,500 - £35,000 per year dependent  on experience and qualifications)

Team: East London Rape Crisis

CV’s will not be accepted.

The post is subject to an enhanced vetting and barring check and open to women only. Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR), Schedule 9 (Work; Exceptions), Part 1 (Occupational Requirements), of the Equality Act (2010) applies.

Salary: £31,055.53 (pro rata)
Hours: 18.5/22.5 hours per week. Hours are negotiable but the minimum would be 18.5
Location: Worcestershire, the post holder may be required to support clients in Herefordshire and must be able to travel independently throughout both counties.
 
Making a real difference to the lives of children and young people across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
 
West Mercia Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre (WMRSASC) is seeking compassionate and experienced part-time Children and Young People Counsellors to join our well-established and highly supportive counselling team.
 
In this vital role, you will provide face-to-face therapeutic counselling to children and young people aged 5 to 18 who have been affected by sexual violence, abuse and/or rape. Working within a trauma-informed, survivor-centred framework, you will help young people feel heard, supported and empowered as they move towards recovery.
 
You will join a skilled multidisciplinary team that places clinical quality, safeguarding, reflection and staff wellbeing at the heart of everything we do, with access to regular supervision, accredited training and ongoing professional development.
 
Main Responsibilities:

• Provide high-quality, trauma-informed one-to-one counselling to children and young people aged 5–18 who have experienced sexual abuse and/or rape.
• Complete and maintain initial assessments, risk assessments and risk management plans, reviewing these on an ongoing basis as required.
• Maintain accurate, timely and ethical clinical records in line with legal, safeguarding and organisational requirements, including pre-trial therapy guidance.
• Ensure that children and young people understand the counselling service and are able to give informed consent, applying Fraser Guidelines where appropriate.
• Support safe and effective professional practice through regular clinical and case supervision and ongoing CPD, in line with BACP requirements.
• Maintain professional membership and appropriate insurance, practising in accordance with the Ethical Framework of the relevant professional body.
• Engage in ongoing CPD and professional development, keeping abreast of best practice and emerging issues relating to sexual violence, abuse and trauma.
• Contribute positively to a safe, professional and accessible counselling service, working collaboratively with the Counselling Team, volunteers and service managers.
• Liaise appropriately with other professionals and agencies where required, maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries at all times.
• Support the service’s monitoring and evaluation processes, including outcomes and feedback, to ensure quality, accountability and sustainability.
• Uphold the rights of the child, promoting autonomy, choice and participation within the counselling process while maintaining appropriate safeguarding boundaries.
• Actively promote equality, diversity and anti-oppressive practice, ensuring inclusive and respectful support for all service users.

 
WMRSASC is committed to supporting and valuing its staff. 
We offer:

• Salary: £31,055.53 (pro rata)
• Hybrid and flexible working
• 26 days annual leave plus 8 statutory holidays (pro rata), increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Benenden Health Scheme
• Accredited training and career development opportunities
• Regular management supervision and support

 
Safeguarding
WMRSASC is committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Relevant background checks and Disclosure and Barring Service checks will be required.
 
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As an equal opportunities employer, WMRSASC is committed to ensuring the fair and equal treatment of all current and prospective employees. We do not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.
 
We aspire to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join WMRSASC.
 
This is an opportunity to join a specialist organisation making a meaningful difference to the lives of survivors and communities. 
 
We welcome applications from individuals who share our values and are committed to delivering high-quality, trauma-informed practice.
 
The closing date for this position is 1st June 2026.  
 
REF-228 273