Counsellor jobs in worthing, west sussex
30.5 hours per week / £33,795 per annum, pro rata / permanent / working pattern to be discussed at interview.
is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, increasing life skills and self-confidence, and improving emotional wellbeing and mental health.
We are recruiting a Wellbeing Counsellor and an Autism and Learning Disabilities Specialist for the Brighton and Hove Community Wellbeing Service for children and young people (CYP).
Our service, led by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with YMCA DownsLink, supports 2–25 year olds with mild-to-moderate mental health needs. Since 2020, we’ve provided community-based, evidence-based interventions including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling, low-intensity interventions, group treatments, creative therapies, and social prescribing — all tailored to individual needs and age.
In this role, you will provide counselling that is adapted to ensure accessibility for autistic children and young people, as well as those with learning disabilities. This support will be offered to clients aged 4 to 25 who have a formal diagnosis.
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.
Experience and Knowledge
- Experience in individual counselling with children and young people (aged 4+)
- Experience in counselling children and young people with Autism and Learning Difficulties
- Training/experience in working with children with communication difficulties, including Autism and LD
- Experience and/or knowledge of local statutory and voluntary agencies
- Experience of working in a community setting
- Experience of carrying out assessments
- Training / experience in using play and creative techniques in therapy
- Experience / ability to work autonomously, including working remotely.
Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to establish and maintain empathic, supportive relationships with people in significant distress with their families and/or carers
- Willingness to receive, understand and communicate confidential client information of a sensitive and often complex nature, including discussing care with family members within boundaries of confidentiality.
- Proficient to communicate in a sensitive and reassuring manner, with empathy, and where appropriate reassurance
- Able to make good use of clinical supervision in a group and/or individual format
- Skilled in liaising with other teams and services including external agencies as required for the wellbeing of service users
- Proficient to assist in assessment of young people's mental health and make appropriate decisions regarding treatment or referral to other services.
Qualifications
We are recruiting a qualified counsellor, who has experience working with children and young people with autism and learning difficulties, delivering face to face counselling and carrying out assessments with young people to include working with high risk and complex issues. You will have a graduate or post-graduate level Counselling Diploma, or equivalent, and a minimum of two years post-qualifying experience, CYP IAPT Autism Spectrum Conditions and Learning Disabilities, or CYP Psychological Therapies for autism and learning disabilities (renamed in 2025). You will also need to be BACP Registered/Accredited or registered with another recognised professional body (e.g. HPC, UKCP).
The successful applicant will have experience of managing risk, with effective communication around safeguarding procedures. You will also have experience of multi-disciplinary team working and knowledge of local statutory and voluntary agencies. You will also have experience of using electronic database for case management notes and administrative tasks to include monitoring and evaluation.
If you would like any further information or an informal discussion about this post, please contact
Should you require any assistance with our application process, please email us at
CLOSING DATE: Sunday 14 September 2025 at midnight. We reserve the right to close this advert early if a successful candidate is found, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Successful candidates will already have the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role
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 are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (including the Children’s and Adults’ barred lists) check, along with a reference and background check carried out by a third-party service provider.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
We believe every young person has the right to discover their potential.
Thank you!
About Esteem
At Esteem, we create space for young adults to thrive. We offer social, wellbeing, volunteering, and mentoring opportunities to young adults aged between 14-26, from our base in Shoreham-By-Sea. We aim to involve young adults as partners in everything we do, this provides a platform for them to develop confidence, build life skills, and improve their wellbeing. They, in turn, make our organisation, and society, a better place.
Background to the Role
This is an exciting new opportunity to join a local youth charity at a key moment of growth. As Fundraising Partnerships Manager, you’ll play a vital role in building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with corporate partners, high net worth individuals, funders, and key stakeholders. You’ll help shape and deliver strategic partnerships that bring in funding that support our mission, and young people across our community.
Working closely with the Head of Fundraising, you’ll lead on developing and stewarding partnerships, especially within the local business community, and explore new ways organisations can invest in young people’s futures through Esteem’s programmes and projects.
Job Description
We’re looking for a passionate and relationship driven Fundraising Partnerships Manager with previous experience working in the charity sector or income generation, to join our team at Esteem. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives on connecting with people, building meaningful partnerships, and creating long-lasting impact. In this role, you’ll play a key part in shaping how local businesses and organisations invest in young people’s futures through sponsorship, collaboration, and shared purpose. If you’re someone who believes in community, has a talent for partnership development, and wants to see young people thrive, we’d love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
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Develop and grow corporate and strategic partnerships that support Esteem’s financial sustainability and deepen our local impact.
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Identify opportunities for shared value between Esteem and potential partners, including sponsorships, employee engagement, skills-sharing, and diverse income revenue streams.
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Work closely with Head of Fundraising and internal teams (including Fundraising, Marketing, and Youth Participation) to create partnership offers and deliverables.
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Lead on high-quality relationship management, ensuring excellent stewardship and communications with all partners.
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Collaborate on developing impact reports and tailored communications that show the difference our partners help us make.
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Organise and support events that engage current and prospective partners.
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Contribute to income generation from trusts, foundations, and other funding opportunities as needed.
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Work alongside young adults to include their voice and presence in fundraising and partnership initiatives.
Person Specification
Experience
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Building and managing partnerships in a fundraising, business development or sales setting
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Developing and delivering stewardship strategies and communications
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Working collaboratively across teams and with external stakeholders
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Writing compelling proposals and presenting to potential funders or partners
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Using CRM or fundraising databases (e.g. Donorfy)
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Working with or within the charity sector (desirable)
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
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Excellent relationship-building and communication skills (written and verbal)
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A confident, positive, creative, and proactive approach to partnership development
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Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple relationships and deadlines
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Clear understanding of corporate CSR, ESG, fundraising trends and opportunities
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Ability to collaborate with young adults and colleagues across departments
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Working knowledge of Google Drive and MS Office, in particular Excel
Personal Attributes
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Collaborative and people-focused, enjoys building relationships and working with others to achieve shared goals
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Proactive and self-motivated, takes initiative, spots opportunities, and sees projects through to completion
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Warm and engaging communicator, able to connect with people from all backgrounds with empathy and authenticity
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Adaptable and flexible. Thrives in a fast-paced environment and responds positively to change and new ideas
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Values-driven and shares Esteem’s commitment to young people, inclusion, and wellbeing
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Creative and solutions-oriented, brings fresh thinking to challenges and looks for new ways to grow support and impact
To apply
Please visit our jobs board to download our recruitment pack and application form.
We will only shortlist applicants that have applied directly to our HR Department providing a completed application form.
Please let us know if you would prefer to submit your application in another way, such as a video presentation.
Sadly, without a completed application form we will not be able to consider your application.
Appointment to this role is subject to satisfactory vetting and barring checks.
What we offer
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Staff Well-being: Esteem runs quarterly Well-being weeks throughout the year where we pause, reflect on what’s working and what's not, and create space for connection and team building with staff and young adults
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Excellent Development and Growth Opportunities: Esteem’s employees are encouraged to consider opportunities to develop new skills or progress, including applying for new roles in the organisation, participating in external training courses, and getting involved in different projects happening within the organisation.
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A Diverse and Inclusive Workplace: Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to Esteem’s values and how we work. We are proud of our commitment to diversity and inclusion and support young people and staff from different backgrounds so they can be their best selves. Our networks include All Sorts (LGBTQIA+), Adur Refugees and Possibility People.
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Flexible Working and Other Benefits: We are committed to maintaining your work/life balance. We offer 35 days (FTE) of annual leave inclusive of bank holidays. This entitlement will be pro-rata for this role. We operate flexi-working. Esteem office hours are 10am-6pm, Monday to Friday, though we take a flexible approach to work and working patterns; we also ask the same of our staff, requiring the ability to work effectively and respond appropriately in challenging circumstances. Esteem has a close-down period over Christmas and New Year.
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Cash-back Health Plan: On appointment, you will become a member of Health Shield, a cash-back health plan giving you money back on everyday healthcare costs, such as dental, optical and physiotherapy. This is from day one of you joining Esteem.
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Employee Assistance Programme: You will also have access from day one to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Breeze, a 24/7 support line via phone or web portal giving you access to GPs, counsellors, physios, mental health support and money-saving perks.
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Pension: If you are eligible, you will be auto-enrolled into our pension scheme currently in place for Esteem, in accordance with Esteem’s pension auto-enrolment obligations. The pension scheme that is currently in place for Esteem employees is “NEST Pensions”.
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Local Staff Discounts: You will also receive staff discounts to local businesses as part of our well-being offer.
Esteem is committed to supporting you in your role, including regular supervision, reflective practice groups (role specific), quarterly staff wellbeing week, regular pay reviews, employee support plan, staff socials and regular training.
Commencement of this role is subject to receiving satisfactory references and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and confirmation of your right to work in the UK.
Esteem welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We value diversity and promote inclusion through our activities, as well as in our policies and working practices. Our culture and values reinforce this. We seek to create an inspiring and inclusive workplace where all feel valued and able to contribute to the organisation.
If you have the skills, knowledge and drive that we are looking for, and are passionate about making a real difference in young adults' lives, we would love to hear from you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history, following the launch of the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025.
Building on our charity’s already established level of support from major donors, you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.
Working closely with the CEO, alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship, you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising.
This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity, helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME – better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
Key duties
Major Donor Fundraising
• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of £250k+
• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations, including quarterly forecasting.
• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the £5k to £100k level, to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships
• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.
• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development. Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.
• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner, maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.
• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events, presentations, approaches, networking and meetings.
• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy, monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.
• Ensure utilisation of insight & data, producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.
• With the Director of Fundraising & Development, create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.
• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.
• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors, preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.
• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.
• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.
• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up – particularly in corporate, community and trust fundraising.
• Work with Trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.
• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings, keeping accurate and up to date records of activity
• Occasional travel to London, Bristol & events
Other duties
• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.
• To contribute to the team’s overall, ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.
• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development, Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.
• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.
• To work in accordance with Action for ME’s values of collaboration, equity and empathy.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Our mission is to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.