Job summary
The post holder will provide trauma informed therapeutic counselling services to adult clients within the context of a non‑judgemental and confidential service and in accordance with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework.
The post holder will contribute to the development, evaluation and quality standards of the SARC counselling service.
The post holder may be required to deliver training across Greater Manchester.
The post holder will undertake specific administration duties related to the counselling services including contracting, user feedback and activity data.
The post holder will prioritise, assess, plan, evaluate and deliver all relevant aspects of care to an agreed and expected high standard.
The post holder will work closely with the multi‑disciplinary team and contribute to the clinical governance process and multi‑disciplinary team meetings.
Main duties of the job
As the busiest SARC in the UK, we provide an integrated service of forensic medical and therapeutic assessment, support and therapy services to adults and children of any gender and of any age. Our aftercare service delivers specialist sexual violence support, ISVA and therapeutic services throughout Greater Manchester.
About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000‑plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward‑thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation and continuous improvement. Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working – empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients. You’ll be part of a collaborative, multi‑disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives. At MFT, you’ll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions. Your journey at MFT is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We’ll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.
Details
Date posted: 02 January 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum (pro rata)
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 24 months
Working pattern: Part‑time
Reference number: 349‑SMH‑7621868*
Job locations: St Mary’s SARC, St Mary’s Hospital, Peter Mount Building, Manchester, M13 0HY
Job description
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information you’ll need to be aware of before you submit an application.
An exciting and significant opportunity has arisen for SARC to recruit a counsellor to deliver trauma focused therapy to adult clients who have experienced sexual violence. Highly motivated and resourceful you will have experience of working with clients who have experienced sexual violence and a sound knowledge of offering therapy to clients with post‑traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression, gained ideally in a multidisciplinary or healthcare environment. You will be familiar with managing your own caseload, ensuring you maintain a client‑centred, trauma‑informed ethos in a pressurised multidisciplinary service. You will be comfortable working independently including delivering interventions face to face and via the phone and video‑based platforms and willing to collaborate with your colleagues as you support one‑another to deliver a high quality service.
The posts will be offered on a fixed term basis initially for two years for 30 hours per week and will require some evening work.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application – especially personal statements and responses to role‑specific questions – is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Person Specification – Skills (Essential)
* Ability to prioritise workload
* Excellent written and verbal communication
* Excellent presentation skills
* Ability to work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team
* Ability to utilise counselling supervision effectively
Person Specification – Skills (Desirable)
* IT/Word processing skills
Person Specification – Qualifications (Essential)
* Diploma in Integrative Counselling/CBT or single model core training (eg PCA) plus post‑qualification training in other models
Person Specification – Qualifications (Desirable)
* Qualification in trauma focused CBT or EMDR or other evidence‑based therapy
* Qualification in telephone/video counselling
* Qualification in working with adults or children with learning disability
Person Specification – Knowledge & Experience (Essential)
* Demonstrable experience working therapeutically with victims of sexual violence
* Demonstrable knowledge of trauma focused, evidence‑based interventions and experience of working with psychological trauma
* Understanding/experience of counselling research and application to practice
* In‑depth knowledge of issues relating to rape and sexual assault/child sexual abuse
* Understanding of and working within BACP ethical framework
Person Specification – Knowledge & Experience (Desirable)
* Experience of teaching/delivering training to a wide range of audiences
* Experience of assessing the needs of a wide range of children affected by sexual violence, including those displaying harmful sexual behaviour
* Experience of working therapeutically with people with learning difficulties
* Qualification in trauma focused CBT or EMDR
* Qualification and experience of delivering therapy groups
Person Specification – Registration (Essential)
* Registered member of the BACP
Person Specification – Registration (Desirable)
* BACP Accreditation
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
St Mary’s SARC, St Mary’s Hospital, Peter Mount Building, Manchester, M13 0HY
https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/
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