Post Title: Counsellor
SBU/Department: Dean of Students Office, Student Wellbeing Services (Counselling and Mental Health)
FTE: 0.6FTE (working 22.2 hours per week) There is a requirement to work on campus on a Tuesday.
Duration of Contract: Permanent
Annual Leave: 30 days pro rata plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year
Location: College Lane Campus, Hatfield
This role is based within the Counselling and Mental Health Service, in Student Wellbeing Services, providing a coordinated, student‑centred approach to supporting health, wellbeing and inclusion. Counsellors provide short‑term therapeutic support to students experiencing emotional and psychological distress. We are looking for an experienced and compassionate counsellor to fill a vacant post, and to support increasing demand for mental health support across our diverse student population.
Main duties and responsibilities
You will provide short‑term, one‑to‑one counselling to students, delivered face‑to‑face and online, using an integrative and/or solution‑focused approach and working in line with the BACP Ethical Framework. You will conduct initial assessments, evaluate functioning and wellbeing and levels of risk, and provide therapeutic support when requested in times of crisis or emergencies. The role involves keeping accurate clinical records in line with professional and departmental requirements, including the provision of statistics for annual and periodic reporting.
You will also make appropriate referrals to other support within the Student Wellbeing/wider university and with other external services where necessary, including the NHS. You will participate in delivering workshops, group work, presentations and staff training as well as offering consultation to members of University staff concerned about students. You will attend regular clinical supervision and team meetings and contribute to the further development of the Counselling and Mental Health Service.
Skills and experience required
You will have substantial proven experience of offering one-to-one short‑term counselling, with a minimum of 450 clinical hours, and experience of assessing and working with high‑risk clients, including those who self‑harm or are suicidal and vulnerable. You will have the ability to assess and manage risk and to refer on appropriately with experience of providing online counselling and experience and willingness to use a variety of clinical outcome measures. You will also have experience of identifying, responding to and referring on clients who are in need of further psychiatric assessment and support.
You will bring an understanding of the issues young people in HE face as well as an understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries. Professionalism, reliability, openness, flexibility of approach and desire to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary manner is essential. You will have the ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, and have the ability to self-reflect and have an awareness of one’s own limits of practice.
Qualifications required
You will be educated with a minimum of a Level 7 qualification (e.g. Masters, PGDipl) or equivalent in Counselling or Psychotherapy, or substantial proven equivalent experience. You will also hold a BACP accreditation, UKCP registration, BABCP accreditation or HCPC and BAAT accreditation, + a minimum of 450 clinical hours (If not accredited yet, a maximum of 6 months away from relevant accreditation/registration with governing body).
REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT
DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE
This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 as amended. The University requires that the successful applicant who is offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. An Enhanced Disclosure will be required and this will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions. The University of Hertfordshire complies with the ‘Code of Practice for Registered Persons and other recipients of Disclosure Information’.
Overseas applicants and UK applicants who have lived abroad
Successful applicants who have lived outside the UK, for 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total), in the last 10 years, will be required to produce a ‘Certificate of Good Character/Conduct’ from each of those countries.
Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.
Internal applicants– please ensure you apply via your employee self service portal.
We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work before an offer is made.
Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Ms Viju Patel, Deputy Director, Student Wellbeing,
[email protected]
Closing Date: 10 June 2026
Interview Date: TBC
Reference Number: REQ000422
Date advert placed: 26 May 2026
Our vision is to transform lives: Herts is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We are a committed equal opportunities employer and whilst we welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, we particularly encourage applications from Black candidates to reflect our diverse student cohort and staff under-representation within the Counselling and Mental Health service where it exists. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts
