Counsellor jobs

Role Purpose

The Adult Bereavement Counsellor provides therapeutic support to adults- particularly parents and carers- who are experiencing acute or complex grief following the death of a child.

The post holder will provide comprehensive psychosocial assessments and deliver therapeutic interventions working therapeutically using a range of counselling methods, approaches, and techniques, consistent with Level 3 of the NICE psychological intervention framework (2004).

They will also deliver crisis interventions where appropriate to ensure emotional safety and stability. In addition, the role includes designing and implementing a variety of therapeutic interventions across individual, couple, and group contexts, drawing on different models as required.

Main Responsibilities

Communication and Relationships

• Communicate effectively and sensitively within the organisation and with external professionals, including health and mental health services such as CMHTs and GPs.
• Convey complex and emotionally sensitive information to adults with clarity, empathy, and professionalism.
• Manage interactions with individuals or groups who may be distressed or emotionally impacted by information shared.
• Develop and maintain strong, positive working relationships with colleagues and peers to promote effective teamwork and collaboration.
• Model organisational values and behaviours, demonstrating respect, compassion, and integrity in all communication and relationships.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

• Undertake detailed psychosocial assessments and risk evaluations for parents and carers bereaved of a child, determining the most appropriate interventions and levels of support.
• Deliver individual and, where appropriate, couple or group counselling sessions using evidence-based approaches to address complex grief, trauma, and adjustment to loss.
• Ensure all practice meets professional standards and complies with relevant codes of conduct and national guidance.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current research, evidence-based practice, and developments in bereavement and trauma-informed care.
• Provide crisis interventions when required, ensuring emotional containment, safety and referral to appropriate support.
• Support service users to develop coping skills, resilience, meaning making, and strategies to manage distress and ongoing adjustment.
• Integrate trauma-informed principles, recognising the emotional and physiological impact of bereavement and its intersection with other mental health concerns.
• Engage in continuous professional development and maintain an active professional portfolio in line with professional body requirements.
• Demonstrate knowledge and compliance with organisational policies, procedures, and safeguarding legislation, including Safeguarding Children and Adults and the Mental Capacity Act.
• Provide guidance, supervision, and support to volunteers individually or in groups as required.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

• Apply sound professional judgment and analytical skills to assess needs, plan interventions, and evaluate outcomes in accordance with best-practice frameworks.
• Participate actively in team meetings to plan, review, and evaluate care strategies and approaches.
• Ensure the accurate and timely recording of data and information to support monitoring, evaluation, and service development.
• Contribute to the collection, analysis and reporting of outcome measures to support quality assurance, demonstrate impact, inform practice and interventions, and inform continuous improvement.

All Staff

• Contribute to the vision and mission of Child Bereavement UK; whilst embedding the values into your daily work activities.
• Promote equality of opportunity and diversity in accordance with Child Bereavement UK policy.
• Contribute to the overall success of the charity’s fundraising needs by providing case studies, attending events and adding value to the experience of our supporters as required.
• Contribute to the brand and reach of the charity by working alongside our Marketing & Communications Team when relevant press opportunities arise or when required for social media and online content (including the use of photography).
• Work to objectives, targets and work plans agreed with your line manager.

Person Specification

Education/Professional Qualification

Essential

• MA/MSc or Postgraduate Degree (minimum Level 4 or equivalent) in Counselling, Psychotherapy, Arts Therapy
• Registration with a professional body (ie. HCPC, UKCP, BACP, BAAT, etc)
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Certificate/diploma in supervision
• Dual qualification (social work and counselling/psychotherapy)
• BACP accreditation or eligible for BACP accreditation

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Able to make clear psychosocial assessments and managing complex emotional and mental health needs, risk, and safeguarding
• Awareness of the intersection between loss, mental health, relationships and identity
• Strong assessment, formulation and planning skills within a therapeutic context
• Substantial post qualification experience in counselling or psychotherapy
• Experience of working therapeutically with adults (pre and post bereavement)
• Experience of using outcome measures, feedback tools and data to evaluate effectiveness and impact of interventions

Knowledge and Understanding

• A strong understanding and knowledge of relevant psychological theories, therapeutic interventions, and models of grief work
• In-depth understanding of the impact of bereavement, trauma, and loss especially after the death of a child
• Knowledge of child development, attachment, and resilience frameworks
• Sound awareness of risk assessment, safeguarding legislation and information sharing processes
• Knowledge of evidence-based models of counselling and therapeutic interventions including creative and systemic approaches
• Proven ability to design, deliver and adapt psychosocial assessments and therapeutic counselling interventions effectively through digital platforms, maintaining therapeutic alliance, safety and impact when working remotely with adults.
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislations and impact on practice
• Inclusive in approach, sensitive to diverse experiences of grief and cultural expressions of loss
• Awareness of the importance of service evaluation, outcome measurement, and reflective practice in demonstrating impact and improving quality
• Undertake specific projects and other ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager, fulfilling any deadlines, reviews and reporting procedures required.
• Take an active part in the Quarterly review process and participate in training agreed with your line manager.
• Recognise and champion the lived experience of children and young people with bereavement within your work.
• Ensure the health and safety of all colleagues, volunteers and visitors in accordance with Child Bereavement UK policy.

Recruitment Timetable

Application deadline: 27th May 2026 at midnight

First Stage Screening Interviews

You may be asked to attend a 10-minute Screening Interview on MS Teams with the Hiring Managers for the vacancy, to assess your suitability for the role. During the interview, you will be asked two skills-based questions.

Second Stage Interviews

If you are progressed to a second stage interview, you will be invited to attend a 1-hour formal interview on MS Teams with the Hiring Managers for the role. It is our policy to share the role-specific interview questions with applicants ahead of the interview, to aid their preparation. You may also be asked to complete an interview task, which will also be shared with you in advance.

Youth Team Forum Discussion

For roles in our Bereavement Services Team, we will invite those applicants selected for interview along to a discussion forum with members of our Youth Team. This session is held remotely and lasts approximately 20 minutes. The discussion topic will be shared with you in advance of the session.

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

We are recruiting a Sessional Counsellor to join the Children and Young People’s (CYP) Community Counselling service.

Do you want to support children and young people (CYP) with mental health concerns? Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?

Can you demonstrate our values of Hope, Together, Courage and Responsive and want to be part of our vision to ensure everyone in Hertfordshire will feel supported with their mental health?

If the answer to all of these is yes, we want to hear from you.

Job title: Sessional Counsellor (CYP)  
Reference Number: 329
Reports to: CYP Senior Counsellor
Salary: £30 per clinical hour
Contract: Freelance / Contractor (Dependent on the schedule of services agreed)
Work Pattern: Variable - to be agreed based on the schedule of service being delivered by the Sessional Counsellor. Work will be completed within the service operational hours of: 7:30am-10:30pm (7 Days a Week, excluding bank holidays). 
Based: Counselling will be delivered from varied venues across Herts county (e.g. HMN wellbeing centres, community venues, schools). Some remote work from home is permitted and to be agreed with your line manager.

About the Project

The Children and Young People’s (CYP) Community Counselling service is a new Herts Mind Network service, whose aim is to provide accessible, timely and high quality countywide counselling to local children and young people. Our CYP Community Counselling Service will deliver a blend of face-to-face, online, 1:1 and group counselling to enable young people to obtain impactful therapeutic support for the mental health difficulties they are facing, in a way that suits them.

The objectives of the CYP Community Counselling Service are:

• To support the emotional wellbeing of children and young people experiencing mental health issues in Hertfordshire.
• To provide high quality counselling, both face-to-face and online that is tailored to the child or young person and incorporates all facets of their life.
• To promote early intervention and prevention through an accessible and flexible counselling service that champions the strengths and self-resilience of children and young people.
• To work actively, inclusively and collaboratively with local children, young people and their families.
• To be a key partner of the Hertfordshire CYP MHS system, offering and increasing access to community-based help regarding mental health and emotional wellbeing.

About the Role

The CYP Sessional Counsellor post is integral to the delivery of this new community-based clinical service, delivering needs-led, robust and flexible counselling to local CYPF. The postholder will work clinically within the service, delivering group and/or 1:1 counselling either in-person or online. The CYP Sessional Counsellor will deliver a minimum of one therapeutic group or 3 x 1:1 counselling sessions per week. The clinical work of the postholder may take place in varied formats/locations, meeting the needs, requirements and preferences of CYPF accessing the service. The postholder will keep timely, detailed and accurate records, following organisational processes diligently. They will also ensure any concerns regarding CYPF accessing the service are escalated and managed efficiently, keeping the CYPF at the centre of their decision making.

The successful candidate will have a Level 4 qualification diploma or above in counselling, psychotherapy or arts/play therapy AND current registered/accredited/full/qualified membership of one of the following relevant professional bodies (BACP, UKCP, HCPC, BAAT etc.), competency in working within a recognized theoretical framework or therapeutic modality and a minimum of 1-2 years experience working in a therapeutic or counselling capacity with children, young people and/or families.

Closing date: Ongoing. Please complete and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment
Interviews will take place on a rolling basis, on a first come first served basis.
N.B. Please quote reference number 329 when completing your application for this role. 

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position

We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.

Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. Our inclusive approach recognises the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that lived experience brings to our team.

No agencies please.