Role Purpose
The Clinical Lead will be responsible for maintaining clinical quality and safety across the Community Counselling Service. This hands-on clinical role focuses on supervising counsellors, overseeing safeguarding, auditing clinical practice and ensuring outcome tools are used consistently and effectively.
The postholder will provide individual and group clinical supervision to WC’s counsellors and student placements, lead reflective practice sessions, and act as the organisation’s Safeguarding Lead for the counselling service.
This role sits within Women’s Consortium and may contribute to other WC clinical programmes as directed.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Supervision
- Provide monthly individual clinical supervision (minimum 1.5 hours per counsellor per month) for all WC-employed counsellors
- Provide fortnightly group supervision for student placement counsellors (1:4 ratio maximum)
- Maintain supervision records and ensure all counsellors meet BACP/UKCP supervision requirements
- Provide ad hoc clinical guidance and case consultation for complex or high-risk clients
- Offer oversight (not direct supervision) of Kapella and Cruse counsellors, ensuring consistent standards across the partnership
Safeguarding
- Act as the named Safeguarding Lead for the Community Counselling Service
- Review all safeguarding concerns and ensure appropriate action is taken within 24 hours
- Liaise with Birmingham and Solihull Safeguarding Adults and Children Partnerships as required
- Report safeguarding incidents to the Director and commissioner within required timescales
- Deliver safeguarding training and refreshers to all clinical staff
- Maintain the safeguarding log and ensure compliance with organisational policy
Quality Assurance and Outcomes
- Audit clinical records, session notes and risk assessments on a quarterly basis
- Ensure consistent and accurate use of validated outcome tools: WEMWBS, PHQ-9, CORE, DIALOG+, GBO, ReQoL
- Monitor paired outcome data to identify trends in client improvement
- Review DNA rates, therapy completion rates and client feedback across all providers
- Contribute to quarterly performance reports for commissioner review meetings
- Lead reflective practice forums for the clinical team (quarterly, cross-partner)
Training and Development
- Identify training needs through supervision and audit findings
- Plan and deliver CPD sessions for counsellors on topics such as trauma-informed practice, cultural competence, safeguarding, and clinical ethics
- Support the induction of new counsellors and student placements
- Liaise with university placement coordinators (Aston, BCU) to ensure placement standards are met
Clinical Delivery (as capacity allows)
- Carry a small clinical caseload if capacity allows (approximately 3-5 clients)
- Model good clinical practice in trauma-informed, culturally sensitive counselling
Person Specification:
Essential
- BACP or UKCP accredited/registered counsellor or psychotherapist
- Clinical supervision qualification recognised by BACP or UKCP
- Minimum 3 years post-qualification clinical experience
- Minimum 1 year experience providing clinical supervision
- Thorough understanding of safeguarding adults and children procedures
- Experience using validated outcome measures in therapeutic practice
- Strong understanding of culturally competent and trauma-informed practice
- Excellent written communication and report writing skills
- Enhanced DBS clearance (or willingness to undertake)
Desirable:
- Experience as a named safeguarding lead
- Experience supervising student/trainee counsellors on placement
- Experience working in VCSE, community or NHS-commissioned settings
- Experience working with Global Majority (BAMER) communities
- Familiarity with MHSDS and DIALOG+
- Multilingual ability relevant to Birmingham communities
- Training qualification or experience delivering CPD workshops
Values and Behaviours
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
- Culturally competent and trauma-informed approach
- Compassionate, person-centred practice
- Collaborative partnership working across sectors
- Commitment to continuous learning and reflective practice
- Professional integrity and ethical standards
Additional Requirements:
- Enhanced DBS check
- BACP or UKCP registration and supervision accreditation maintained throughout employment
- Willingness to work flexibly across community locations
- Occasional evening work for supervision or reflective practice sessions
Important: This role is contingent on ongoing funding. Continuation beyond the initial contract period is subject to the availability of programme funding.
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the person specification to: [email protected]
Women’s Consortium is an equal opportunities employer. We particularly welcome applications from candidates who reflect the diverse communities we serve, including people from Global Majority backgrounds, multilingual speakers, and those with lived experience of mental health challenges.
Pay: £45,000.00-£55,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Birmingham
