Counselling Lead – Residential Services Location: Brimscombe, Stroud Salary: £30,000 – £32,000 per annum Hours: Full‑time (Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm) Contract: Permanent Holiday: 25 days per annum plus statutory Pension: 6% employer contribution pension scheme Join The Nelson Trust where compassion, expertise and hope transform lives. The Nelson Trust is a charity dedicated to providing exceptional trauma‑informed support within our residential addiction treatment services. We believe in kindness, belief, and determination, and we’re looking for a Counselling Lead who shares these values and wants to make a meaningful difference every day. As our Counselling Lead, you will oversee a safe, ethical and trauma‑informed counselling service that empowers clients on their recovery journey. You’ll provide clear leadership to a team of counsellors and EMDR practitioners, ensuring excellence in clinical delivery, team development and regulatory compliance. This is a varied and rewarding leadership role for someone with strong clinical experience and a passion for supporting both clients and staff to thrive. Key Responsibilities Lead and develop the counselling team, ensuring high‑quality, trauma‑informed practice. Oversee all counselling activity to ensure compliance with BACP guidelines and CQC regulatory standards. Manage caseload coordination, team meetings and operational planning. Provide line management, supervision and performance management to staff. Support the recruitment, training and placement management of volunteer counsellors. Maintain accurate, confidential client records in line with GDPR and legislative standards. Act as a key link between counselling and residential leadership teams. Represent counselling services in internal and external meetings, including CPD. Support safeguarding processes and report concerns in line with policy. Promote trauma‑informed and recovery‑focused models of care. Hold a small caseload when needed and provide cover across residential sites. About You We’re looking for someone who is not only clinically experienced, but also a compassionate and confident leader. Essential Experience & Qualifications Minimum 3 years’ clinical experience. BACP‑approved Counselling Qualification (Level 4). Accredited or working towards accreditation (BACP, Addiction Professionals etc.). Strong leadership/people management experience. Excellent written, verbal and IT skills (Word & Excel). Level 3 Safeguarding training or willingness to undertake. Desirable Experience within a residential addiction treatment setting. A recognised leadership qualification (or willingness to work towards). Personal Qualities Warm, approachable and a strong team player. Able to build rapport with clients and maintain clear professional boundaries. Empathetic and aligned with the values and ethos of The Nelson Trust. Committed to safeguarding, equality, diversity and trauma‑informed practice. Other Requirements Flexibility to work outside standard hours when needed. Full driving licence and access to a vehicle. Willingness to be part of the weekend on‑call rota. Enhanced DBS check required (funded by us). Why Join Us? 6% employer pension contribution. 25 days annual leave plus statutory Bike2Work Scheme Employee Assistance Program Blue Light Card discount scheme eligibility A supportive team committed to continuous learning and development. Opportunities for CPD, supervision and career progression. The chance to make a tangible impact on individuals rebuilding their lives. Closing date for applications: Friday 6th March 2026 Interviews: Wednesday 23rd March 2026 Start date: Monday 4th May 2026 The Nelson Trust is committed to safeguarding, the successful applicant will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check We have become known for the quality of our work and ability to provide bespoke care and support services. While we are proud of our achievements so far, we are ambitious and want to continue to grow and diversify our workforce. We recognise that employees from different backgrounds bring unique knowledge, perspectives and experiences and we are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce and welcome applications from individuals across all sectors of society. This is an opportunity for new, challenging and highly rewarding experiences. Our staff make a real difference to people’s lives and in return for your commitment and enthusiasm, we offer a comprehensive training and development programme, a generous pension scheme and a positive working environment.