Senior Practitioner
| Posting date: | 06 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £50,273.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £50273.00 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 13 April 2026 |
| Location: | Sunderland, SR1 1QN |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | B0330-26-0003 |
Summary
Sunderland Counselling Service is looking to employ a Senior practitioner to work within South Tyneside Community Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Service (STCCYPMHS). They will report to Sunderland Counselling Service's Chief Executive. The post is full time- 37 1/2 hours a week with a yearly wage of£50,273.00. The post holder will be entitled to 30 days annual leave at normal salary rate or pro rata for part of a year. In addition, entitlement to all statutory public holidays will be given at normal salary rate. The post holder will be employed on a fixed term contract for 12 months which will be subject to a probationary period of 6 months; continued employment will depend on project funding. The post holder will be working in a STCCYPMHS locality base within South Tyneside and will be responsible for managing and coordinating a team of STCCYPMHS counsellors who are employed by Sunderland Counselling Service. The post holder will be responsible for the delivery and development of the counselling, supervision and training components of the service. They will take primary responsibility for service development and will manage the team of counsellors to ensure that targets and activity levels set out in the specification for the service are met. This will involve reviewing and being confident with data. They will carry a small individual case load of clients and so will work with children and young people whose lives are, or have been, affected by events to such a level that it impacts upon their emotional and mental well-being. The post holder will be called upon to use a personal means of transport while engaged in the work of the service for which travel expenses will be available. Main Responsibilities of the post holder are: Providing clinical leadership, oversight, guidance and decision making for Community Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Service. Ensuring the safety and consistency of STCYPMHS Counselling Service. Ensuring safe and ethical practice is observed within the service. Ensuring that effective clinical governance arrangements are in place and adhered to throughout the service. Ensuring that all counselling staff, are appropriately supported, supervised, skilled and trained to deliver the services required. Providing assurance to service management of the safety, consistency and effectiveness of services provided, raising any issues or concerns with service management. Providing direct line management and case management for all salaried counsellors working within the service. Being confident in the understanding and evaluation of data. Acting as a point of contact and guidance for any staff members needing clinical support or guidance. Providing operational guidance to all Sunderland Counselling Service counsellors. Coordinating regular team meetings to ensure safety and consistency of service and address any issues that arise. Liaising and working in partnership with other agencies to ensure clients receive effective and appropriate services. Observing the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) ethical framework and other guidance. Working as part of the senior management team within Sunderland Counselling Service, participating in team development, training and regular supervision sessions. Contributing to the further development and sustainability of the STCCYPMHS Counselling Service. Professionally represent Sunderland Counselling Service in all dealings with external agencies. Deputise for the Chief Executive when required. Assess the needs of children and young people in relation to their emotional and mental well-being and when appropriate provide individual counselling to children and young people. Encourage and support children and young people using the service, to enable them to address and manage the issues and associated problems that are affecting their mental and emotional well-being. Assist in the provision of an appropriate service for reaching out to children and young people most at risk. This may include working in primary and secondary level education settings and outreach work within South Tyneside. Adopt a preventative approach in relation to mental health and emotional well being. Be accountable for personal conduct and professional practice in relation to all relevant legislation, including Safeguarding Children procedures, and according to Sunderland Counselling Service and STCYPMHS policies and procedures. This includes completing necessary reports for any safeguarding conferences and contributing information towards Education, Health and Care Assessments or reviews. Be similarly accountable for the practice and behaviour of counselling staff working within the service. Work both effectively and creatively including some evening and weekend work. Ensure adequate systems are in place to measure the effectiveness of the services provided. Contribute to the compilation of accurate and appropriate records of the work carried out with children and young people. Contribute to the provision of accurate statistical information regarding service activity and performance. Evaluate service effectiveness and make use of relevant outcome measurement tools. Ensure that targets and activity levels set out in the specification for the service are met. Undertake any other duties as required within the spirit of the post.