Therapist volunteer jobs in Hove, brighton and hove

7.5 hours per week / £34,475 per annum, pro rata / permanent / working day to 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.

YMCA Community Counselling Dialogue offer free short-term face to face, group and online therapy for young people aged 11 - 18 who live or have a GP in West Sussex. We offer a range of talking therapies, group sessions for young people who are struggling with their mental health. We see young people in different locations in the community such as youth centres, children and family centres and our own buildings. Our online counselling takes place over an electronic therapy platform.

We are recruiting for a qualified counsellor to join our team of therapists as a Community Counsellor based in Littlehampton. You will be passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people.

Your contracted base will be our main office in central Hove, and you will deliver services in Littlehampton, West Sussex.

Key responsibilities

• Offer assessments to children and young people within the Tier 2 Counselling Service
• Manage a caseload of children and young people, delivering counselling within the West Sussex Dialogue service model
• Work with the project administrator and project manager to ensure high quality delivery of service
• Work systemically, e.g. liaise with and include parent/carers, educators, health professionals when appropriate and as agreed by the client
• Manage the tight time boundaries of the role and the often complex and varied workload
• To develop and co-facilitate groups for children and young people in the service
• Work at all times within the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions and follow YMCA Dialogue safeguarding procedures and policies
• Maintain individual membership of the BACP and to become a Registered Member (or other professional body such as HCPC)

Qualifications, knowledge, and experience

• Experience of working as a Counsellor post-qualified at diploma, graduate or post graduate level or equivalent, including working with risk issues
• You will have a BACP Membership; BACP Registered or Accredited. Or other professional body e.g. HCP
• You will also have a sound understanding of child protection and vulnerable adult safeguarding issues, policies, and procedures
• An in depth understanding of counselling theory and practice and working to short-term models
• You will have proven experience in safeguarding children and young people, responding to, managing, and referring safeguarding issues
• You will be familiar with using creative therapeutic approaches, along with experience of working with children and young people aged 11-18 in community settings

Please note we are also recruiting for a School Counsellor in Bognor Regis, (7.5 hours per week – term-time only / £34,475 per annum, pro rata / permanent / working one day per week 8.30am-4.30pm - working day to be discussed at interview) and there is an opportunity to combine this Community Counsellor role to make a two-day role. If you are interested in both roles, please let us know in your application. 

CLOSING DATE: Wednesday 22 April 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.

Ready for a role where your psychology can genuinely shape a developing service? PATH is growing, and we’re looking for a Clinical Psychologist who is energised by complexity, values-led practice, and the chance to build something alongside a passionate team. This is an exciting moment to join us—bringing your ideas, your therapeutic skill, and your professional leadership to a service that is ambitious about outcomes and relentless about care and compassion. 
 
We’re proud to be part of an Ofsted rated Outstanding provision, and we’re investing in psychological thinking as a central part of how we work. If you’re looking for a post with space for creativity, strong multi-disciplinary relationships, and real opportunity to develop specialist expertise, PATH could be the right next step. 

We warmly welcome applicants with strong knowledge of neurodiversity, early trauma and the experiences of adopted and care-experienced people, including those with lived or professional expertise. 

A values-based team you’ll want to be part of

You’ll be joining a warm, supportive and highly committed group of professionals who care deeply about the people we serve and the quality of our practice. We work collaboratively—sharing thinking, holding risk together, and making space for reflection even when we’re working at pace. Psychological safety matters here: you’ll have access to supervision, peer support and opportunities for CPD. 

What you’ll bring 

• Professional expertise in psychological assessment, formulation, intervention and consultation, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice. 

• Confidence with complexity—able to hold risk, uncertainty and co-occurring needs, while staying compassionate and person-centred. 

• At least two therapeutic modalities relevant to this sector (e.g., CBT, ACT, CFT, DBT-informed approaches, systemic/family therapy, EMDR, or other trauma-focused therapies), and the ability to integrate approaches thoughtfully. 

• Collaborative team working—you enjoy working across disciplines and with partner agencies, contributing to shared plans and shared outcomes. 

• Agility and pace—able to prioritise, adapt and respond to changing needs while maintaining high clinical standards and clear documentation. 

• A development mindset—motivation to contribute to a growing hub, improve pathways, and evaluate impact using outcomes and feedback. 

We’re also happy to discuss the opportunity with clinical / counselling psychologists who may be earlier in their career. If you can demonstrate a strong commitment to this sector—through relevant placements, roles, voluntary work, research, reflective learning, or lived experience that informs your practice—we would welcome a conversation. We’re interested in potential as well as experience: your values, your curiosity, and the way you work with people and systems matter to us. 

ROLE PROFILE

JOB TITLE:

Clinical Psychologist

ACCOUNTABLE TO:

Clinical Lead

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Clinical Director

HOURS OF WORK:

Full time / Part time

LOCATION:

Remote working with travel flexibility

DURATION:

Permanent

SALARY / GRADE:

Grade 8 £43,471 - £59,389(pro rata for part time)

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

•      Clinical Director and PATH Clinical Lead
•      PATH team
•      AUK staff
•      Children and adults accessing our services
•      Referrers and external agencies as appropriate

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·Deliver high-quality psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for the PATH client group.

·Provide specialist advice, consultation and reflective practice to colleagues and partner services.

·Facilitating reflective groups for families referred to PATH.

·Identify and manage safeguarding risk in line with AUK policies.

·Contribute to multidisciplinary formulation and intervention planning.

·Support service development, evaluation and quality improvement, using outcome measures and feedback.

·Maintain accurate clinical records and produce clear, timely reports for a range of audiences.

·Provide line management and/or supervision within the PATH team.

·Contribute to the training offer within Adoption UK

·To contribute to and maintain accurate records for those using the service on Adoption UK systems and ensuring compliance with both GDPR, safeguarding and confidentiality.

CRITERIA

Knowledge and Experience

•Experience of working with children and families experiencing the effects of trauma and attachment difficulties (Essential)

•Extensive experience of working within the field of mental health (Essential)

•Experience of working with adoption services (Essential)

•Experience of providing clinical supervision to staff and therapists delivering services to vulnerable families (Essential)

•Knowledge and experience of safeguarding process and procedures (Essential)

•Extensive experience and specialist training/accreditation in relevant subjects and differing types of therapy such as DDP, Theraplay, Neurodiversity, Life story, NVR (Desirable)

•Knowledge of adoption services including AGSGF processes (Desirable)

Qualifications and Education

•Doctoral Level Clinical Psychologist (Essential)

•Current registration with a professional body HCPC (Essential)

•Evidence of continuing professional development (Essential)

•Training in a range of therapeutic modalities e.g. NVR, DDP, Theraplay, Internal Family Systems, Sensory Attachment Intervention (Essential)

Skills and Abilities

•Leadership and support skills

•Group work skills

•A reflective and empowering approach

•Strong application of theory

•Creativity and innovative approach to service delivery

•A commitment to the voice of children and families

Accountability

•Consultant Clinical Psychologist

•Responsible for maintaining own professional standards

•Responsible for delivering practice within the policies and standards of the charity

Behaviours

•Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at all times.

•Contributes to an open and honest culture

•Supports, encourages, and motivates colleagues.

•Encourages challenge, creativity and innovation.

•Leads by example.

•Values transparency and consistency.

•Understands the role of individual and collective accountability.

•Actively contributes to Adoption UK’s mission.

•Has a clear understanding of other colleagues’ roles and responsibilities

•Shares skills and knowledge.

•Promotes Cross Functional team working.

•Offers outstanding service to members.

•Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values in all interactions with external stakeholders.

•Identifies and uses the most appropriate form of communication.

•Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.

•Treats colleagues and other stakeholders with respect, honesty, fairness and courtesy

•Is responsive to colleagues, third party professionals and service users.

•Takes pride in own development.

•Enthusiastic and committed to achieving high standards and meeting agreed objectives.

•Takes an active interest in recognising professional and personal development needs and priorities within Adoption UK.

This role profile is a guide to the nature of the work required and may involve other such duties as deemed necessary by the Organisation. It is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive. The role profile will be reviewed with the post-holder at significant points for the Organisation.

Postholder is expected to abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice, and to work within a framework of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.