Job Description
Job Title: Counselling Services Manager – Reports to: CEO Salary: £35,000–£38,000 FTE (depending on experience) pro rata Hours: 3 Days per Week Contract: Permanent Location: Based in South London On-site (remote 1 day per week occasional cross-site cover required) to support North London Services.
Our Commitment to Equity, Inclusion and Wellbeing
We are proud to be an inclusive and trauma-informed charity. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, lived experiences, identities, and abilities. We particularly encourage applications from people who are Black, Asian, or from minoritised ethnic communities, LGBTQIA+, disabled, or have lived experience of the issues we support.
We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and within the role to ensure that everyone can thrive. Please contact us if you have specific accessibility requirements
Role Purpose
The Counselling Services Manager is responsible for the operational and clinical management of counselling services in the North London hub. The postholder will oversee counsellors, students, and volunteers, ensuring high-quality service delivery in line with BACP ethical standards.
Working closely with the CEO and the counterpart Counselling Manager, this role contributes to the overall development, quality assurance, and effectiveness of the charity’s counselling provision.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Counselling & Service Management
· Manage day-to-day delivery of counselling services, ensuring timely client allocation and case management.
· Assess new referrals, complete risk assessments, and ensure appropriate therapeutic pathways.
· Maintain and monitor waiting lists and service capacity, supported by the administrative team.
· Provide oversight for counsellor placements, ensuring supervision and quality assurance.
· Ensure clinical governance and compliance with BACP standards.
2. Volunteer & Trainee Counsellor Management
· Recruit, onboard, and retain volunteer and trainee counsellors in collaboration with the counterpart Counselling Manager.
· Provide regular one-to-one support, crisis supervision, and reflective practice.
· Coordinate placement supervision and ensure trainee counsellors receive appropriate case allocations and learning opportunities.
3. Training & Professional Development
· Identify and coordinate CPD training opportunities for counsellors, including safeguarding, trauma work, and client stabilisation.
· Liaise with external trainers and Trustees overseeing professional development.
· Contribute to internal training sessions and knowledge sharing across the service.
4. Safeguarding & Clinical Leadership
· Act as the designated Clinical Lead for your region.
· Manage safeguarding concerns, providing timely advice and escalation to the Director/CEO.
· Offer clinical input to staff and volunteers regarding client wellbeing and risk.
· Ensure safeguarding and risk assessment procedures are embedded and adhered to.
5. Partnerships & Outreach
· Build and maintain relationships with local organisations, colleges, and universities to support counsellor placements and referrals.
· Represent the service externally through presentations and partnership meetings.
· Work jointly with the other Counselling Manager to share best practice and improve cross-site delivery.
6. Reporting & Quality Assurance
· Produce regular service data reports for Trustees and funders.
· Support outcome measurement using tools such as CORE.
· Contribute to audits and service reviews, implementing improvements as required.
· Maintain accurate and confidential records in line with GDPR and charity policies.
7. Operational Contribution
· Support the Director/CEO and Office Manager in policy development and service planning.
· Provide occasional operational cover for the other site when required.
· Contribute to organisational development and participate in management meetings.