The post-holder will be responsible for coordinating and delivering a wellbeing and counselling service to learners in line with the Access and Inclusion Strategy and the whole college approach to Mental Health.
Key Responsibilities
1. Deliver professional, ethical counselling support to learners across campuses, including assessments, one-to-one interventions, crisis support, and drop-in sessions.
2. Support learner wellbeing by promoting positive mental health strategies in collaboration with the Advice, Guidance and Learner Support Team.
3. Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to provide expert advice on counselling provision and mental health approaches.
4. Design and deliver workshops, group sessions, and wider mental health promotion activities throughout the academic year.
5. Plan, deliver, and continuously improve counselling services, maintaining accurate records and evaluating performance against operational targets.
6. Supervise and mentor trainee counsellors, supporting placement opportunities and professional development.
7. Contribute actively to team objectives, share best practice, deliver staff training, and engage in ongoing professional development.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Qualifications:
8. BACP/COSCA registered and accredited counsellor (or potential to re-register in short timescale)
9. Diploma level Counselling qualification
10. Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
Desirable:
11. Evidence of specialist training and experience in counselling/adapted therapeutic work with learners with complex support needs and learning disabilities, or evidence of actively working towards a recognised qualification in this area, supported by relevant practical experience.
Demonstrable knowledge of
12. National priorities for education;
13. Understanding of legislation in relation to Wellbeing and Mental Health
14. Further Education Access & Inclusion agenda
15. Safeguarding and Corporate Parenting
Skills and Competencies:
16. Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team;
17. Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills;
18. Confident in the use of ICT, including working knowledge of MS Word and Excel;
19. Ability to work with discretion and maintain the confidence of learners and staff;
20. Ability to communicate and deal with staff at all levels; and
21. Ability to work flexibly to meet the requirements of the service.
Experience:
22. Experience of working in a Mental Health service
23. Experience in crisis intervention
24. Experience of working in an educational setting
25. Experience of working as part of a team to deliver objectives and targets;
26. Experience of developing and maintaining a range of internal and external partnerships;
27. Experience of working with a diversity of client groups and a wide range of clients of all ages and backgrounds