Senior Counsellor

Posting date:	09 June 2026
Salary:	£39,959.00 to £48,117.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£39959.00 - £48117.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	10 July 2026
Location:	Oldham, OL2 6EU
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	B0224-26-0006

Summary

To act as a role model and provide exceptional counselling skills and expertise across the organisation To manage an active caseload of clients dealing with complex psychological and emotional issues as a consequence of a life-limiting diagnosis or bereavement To provide specialist one to one and group intervention via a range of delivery modes To holistically assess, plan, implement and evaluate an individuals requirement for, and response to, therapeutic practice To confidently identify and respond to the changing needs of the client, adjusting intervention accordingly and with the knowledge of the Wellbeing Centre Manager. To identify risk or safeguarding concerns for vulnerable clients and report immediately to the Wellbeing Centre Manager/Safeguarding Lead To provide managerial support and leadership to the counselling team To respond appropriately in managing a crisis or emotional/psychological deterioration and to ensure that an effective plan of support and care is put in place To confidently liaise with other professionals and organisations, as necessary, to facilitate appropriate additional support and/or signposting To prioritise workload appropriately and to work flexibly to meet the changing needs of clients and the organisation To be able to work both autonomously and in close partnership with the Hospice Team To document electronically To complete contemporaneous and accurate records in accordance with professional counselling requirements and standards and Hospice practice To ensure that all patient and sensitive information is treated confidentially and in line with local Hospice policies and national legislation To be an educational resource to the Hospice team and to be able to contribute to training sessions as requested To take an active role in facilitating our staff wellbeing programme To maintain and update current knowledge of evidence-based best practice To work in accordance with BACP and NICE guidelines and national standards for palliative and end of life care, bereavement, and psychological support Clinical To perform initial assessments of clients presenting with normal and complex anticipatory and post-death grief and patients accessing palliative care To provide check ins, one-to-one counselling and group therapeutic support to the bereaved, patients and family members To oversee the triage and continual risk assessment and risk management for all referred clients and patients To work with clients who have mild, moderate or complex mental health issues, while recognising and practicing within the limits of your training and capacity To manage own caseload and administrative tasks To support the Wellbeing Centre Manager with referral management in the Counselling Service To establish and develop close, collaborative working relationships, both within the Hospice and with the wider multi-disciplinary team To engage in clinical supervision in line with BACP guidance Professional To be working towards BACP accreditation, if not already accredited. Once accredited to maintain any required accreditations and registered membership with the BACP and further develop professional practice by undertaking the annual requirement of 30 hours continuing professional development To ensure the maintenance of high standards of practice according to the policies of the Hospice and the professional and accrediting body (BACP) and operate within the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions To maintain up to date knowledge of national and local guidance in mental health and psychological therapies To attend and/or facilitate in house CPD session Service Organisation and Development To take responsibility for some area of practice within the Wellbeing Service To participate in any other activities as agreed with Service managers Information, Technology and Resources To maintain clear, professional records of clinical work To be a source of relevant information for clients and staff and to be involved in the production of informational material as required Personal To read, understand and comply with all Hospice policies and procedures, applying them as appropriate to the role To be aware of individual specific responsibilities with regards to the safeguarding of vulnerable adults as appropriate to the role To attend, and participate in, all relevant meetings, both within the Hospice, and externally, as appropriate and agreed with the line manager To undertake, on occasion, such duties and responsibilities of a reasonable nature, which may be delegated by the Wellbeing Centre Manager or the Director of Clinical Services Management To line manage junior member(s) of the counselling team To work alongside the Wellbeing Centre Manager to manage and organise the daily running of the Wellbeing Centre. To support other members of the wider Hospice team, including both staff and volunteers To work and support the Wellbeing Centre Manager with the planning and organisation of various events and projects for Wellbeing Centre service users, which may involve working outside normal working hours To demonstrate proficient IT skills in order to maintain and develop data collection and reporting To gather and assess feedback from service users, identifying opportunities for improvement To support local audit and evaluation of the Wellbeing Centre, assisting with any improvement plans that might be identified To take a proactive approach towards service development, using initiative and creativity to implement new ideas and ways of working, where agreed with the Wellbeing Centre Manager and deemed to be of benefit to patients, staff and the organisation To cover/deputise for the Wellbeing Centre Manager during periods of absence To contribute to funding applications in collaboration with relevant staff Organisational To exemplify the organisational values of the Hospice, acting as a role model to others To maintain confidentiality and safe data handling at all times To participate in the Hospice appraisal process To raise any areas of risk or concern in accordance with Hospice policy, including incident reporting Educational To adhere to all statutory and mandatory training requirements as designated by the organisation To attend and participate in learning and development opportunities as deemed mutually beneficial for yourself and the organisation To contribute to training and development of other staff within the Hospice To take responsibility for identifying personal and professional development requirements and communicate these to the line manager To maintain an active role in self-development and continuing education by attending planned education sessions and development training Volunteers Dr Kershaw's Hospice is generously supported through its active volunteers who work alongside employees of the Hospice, across all departments, helping to fulfil the needs of the services. As part of all roles at the Hospice, it is expected that all post holders commit to assisting and supporting volunteers to perform their roles to the best of their ability. In addition, it may be required of the post holder to act as a volunteer lead if identified with the Volunteer Co-coordinator, as appropriate. Health and Safety/Security To be familiar with all requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Acts and the Hospice health and safety policies and regulations applicable to the post. To co-operate actively with nominated Health and Safety personnel in achieving the aims of the Hospice Health and Safety policy, Fire Regulations, and related issues, and to ensure that legal requirements are met. To take responsible care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your acts or omissions, and comply with health and safety legislation. General Equal Opportunities: The Hospice is committed to equality of opportunity. All staff are required to comply with current legislation and Hospice policies. Health and Safety: Staff must ensure they are familiar with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Hospice Health and Safety policies and regulations applicable to their post. Safeguarding: Dr Kershaws Hospice is committed to safeguarding adults and children and expects all staff to share in this commitment. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that they are aware of specific duties relating to their role and should familiarise themselves with the Hospice safeguarding policy. Regular safeguarding training updates will be held and are mandatory for all staff. The above indicates the main duties that maybe reviewed in the light of experience and developments within the service. Any review will be undertaken in conjunction with the post holder. Due to the nature of the organisation you will undertake any other reasonable tasks or duties that are deemed to be within your capability, to meet the needs of the organisations services and/or directed by a senior manager to whom you have a reporting relationship.