Job Description

Counsellor - 31,049 to 46,580 (NHS Band 5/6) depending on experience

Avon and Somerset Police are looking for an accredited and qualified Counsellor to join our professional team. The role is a highly valued and integral part of Avon and Somerset Police's Occupational Health Department, working together to deliver a first-class service to our police colleagues.


You will be able to demonstrate a solid track record of delivering counselling together with experience of working within a large organisation.


You will hold BACP, BABCP or UKCP accreditation with the relevant qualifications.


This position is an opportunity to make a significant impact on the mental well-being of those who serve and protect our community.


This role can offer hybrid working, therefore if you are looking for a better work/life balance, working weekdays only, this could be the ideal career move for you.

The role:

Working as part of a team you will develop and deliver short term focused therapy to support our dedicated police officers and staff.


We are looking for a Counsellor to work on a part time basis covering three days per week until August 2026. This post will work on site in Portishead, near Bristol.

Key responsibilities:

Providing proactive and comprehensive therapeutic interventions Providing confidential psychological support for police staff and police officers working in emotionally demanding and (at times) distressing roles, make clinical assessments as to whether therapy is required.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

Advanced course, degree or post-graduate diploma in Counselling. Full BABCP/BACP/ UKCP or equivalent accreditation. Experience in delivering CBT would be an advantage. Experience of working in a large organisation. Excellent communication skills and able to demonstrate good therapeutic relationships with people. Able to organise a high-volume workload to ensure effective prioritisation and delivery of objectives.

Benefits:

Opportunities for career progression Competitive salary of 31,049 to 46,580 (NHS Band 5/6) depending on experience The opportunity for a flexible hybrid working arrangement. Comprehensive health and wellness benefits Free on-site parking Discounts on financial services such as car insurance and savings schemes Blue light Card - wide range of discounts from hundred of retailers and venues

Additional information:

This role may require travel across our force area therefore, a full current UK driving licence or the willingness to travel using alternative transport will be necessary.


To be eligible to apply for this role you must have a 3 year 'checkable history' in the UK - ideally this means that you would have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years.


We will request to see your CV as part of this process.


Following a shortlisting process, you will be invited to attend interview on a date to be confirmed.


For more information please contact Caroline Adams - Senior Psychological Therapist via email caroline.adams@avonandsomerset.police.uk

About us

Diversity is a strength and individuality is an asset.

We recognise the benefit different life experience and perspectives can bring.

We are on a journey to become the most inclusive police force in the country.

Find out more about our benefits and culture

Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

Blended Working/ Hybrid Working

Avon and Somerset Police encourage flexible working where operationally possible.

This role has been identified as a blended role.

The successful candidate for this role will have the opportunity to work from home whilst also at a secondary work location, which will be a police premises. The successful applicant will have the option to discuss working arrangements with their line manager. All applicants must reside within the UK.

Important information before you commence an application (for external applicants)

You will require the following detail to complete this application form:

National Insurance Number Identification Detail e.g. passport Address information including proof Referee information Full employment history including dates and any qualifications you may have attained Tattoos - you will also be requested to provide photos and describe of any visible tattoos you have

If the role requires you to drive you will also be required to upload details from your full driving licence including photos.

Important information before you commence an application- for ALL applicants

The application system only remains active on a single page for a period of 60 minutes.


Please ensure you allow time to complete your application fully as part complete pages do not save.


If the role has evidence questions you may wish to save these remotely and paste your answers into the boxes at time of submission.