Role Title: Counselling Lead
Reporting to: Head of Service
Location: Sension House, Denton Drive, Northwich, CW9 7LU
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Full Time)
Salary: £28,300.99- £32,808.61 per annum
Contract: Permanent, employed
DBS: Enhanced Check Required
Role Overview
The Counselling Lead will deliver a safe, compassionate, and neurodiversity-informed counselling service to children and young people. Alongside direct therapeutic work, the postholder will support the development and coordination of trainee counsellor placements within APS alongside leaders, ensuring high standards of practice, appropriate support, and effective risk management.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide one-to-one counselling sessions to children and young people using an autism-informed approach (approx. 16 hours per week).
- Create a safe, inclusive, and supportive therapeutic environment tailored to individual needs.
- Assess, monitor, and review client progress, maintaining accurate and confidential records.
- Work collaboratively with families, schools, and professionals where appropriate to support holistic care.
- Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns and risk issues in line with organisational policies.
- Promote and support opportunities for trainee counsellors to undertake placements within APS.
- Assist in the recruitment, onboarding, and allocation of trainee placements.
- Provide guidance and informal support to trainees throughout their placement.
- Act as a key point of contact for trainees requiring additional support or advice.
- Ensure trainees are working within their competencies and adhere to professional standards.
- Monitor and review trainee-led counselling work where risk or complexity requires oversight.
- Provide appropriate intervention and escalation where safeguarding or clinical concerns arise.
- Work closely with placement providers and supervisors to ensure safe and effective practice.
- Contribute to the design and delivery of induction sessions for trainee counsellors.
- Provide neurodiversity awareness and service-specific training to support trainees in their roles.
- Support continuous learning and development by sharing best practice and resources.
- Maintain professional registration and adhere to ethical frameworks (e.g. BACP or equivalent).
- Engage in regular supervision and reflective practice.
- Keep up to date with developments in counselling, particularly within autism-informed practice.
- Contribute to service development and continuous improvement of APS provision.
Qualifications & Experience
- Recognised counselling qualification (minimum Level 5 Diploma or equivalent).
- Experience of delivering counselling to children, young people and adults.
Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity.
- Ability to assess and manage risk, including safeguarding concerns.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to support and mentor trainee counsellors.
- Commitment to inclusive, person-centred practice.
- Membership/accreditation with BACP.
Closing Date: Monday 24th August
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £28,300.99-£32,808.61 per year
Benefits:
Application question(s):
- Do you have a recognised counselling qualification (minimum Level 5 Diploma or equivalent)?
Experience:
- delivering counselling to children, young people and adults: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person
