Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the tier 2 getting help service for a children and young peoples Counsellor within Newcastle CYPS service. The post is a time limited post to cover adoption leave .
We are a growing early intervention service that offers psychological intervention for low to moderate mental health presentations in children and young people aged 0-18
As a service we are committed to ongoing action to embrace diversity and working to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all staff and patients. We welcome applications from candidates regardless of sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability or religion. We are keen to receive applications from bilingual and multilingual speakers.
Main duties of the job
To provide high quality, short term, evidence-based counselling to children and young people presentencing with low to moderate mental health presentations.
The role will involve

• delivering brief psychological interventions lasting 4-10 sessions
• To meet agreed clinical activity targets
• To liaise with other professionals as appropriate
• To undertake regular clinical supervision to ensure professional development and safe practises

You will need excellent communication skills and will need to be comfortable working both alone and as part of the wider team.
the job would involve working in a range of environments such as schools , community venues and from the service base .
About us
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.
Benefits of joining our team
To work as part of a MDT early intervention service
To provide high quality evidence-based therapy to children and young people
Working flexibly, where service permits, within service hours. We would consider suggestions of any reasonable working plan/part-time to balance service needs and personal preferences.
Benefits of joining our team:

• Staff benefits including pension, discounts and staff support services.
• Flexible working opportunities
• Annual leave entitlement of 27 days per year for new starters increasing to 29 days after 5 years of service and 33 after 10 years of service plus bank holiday

Details
Date posted
27 January 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
38,682 to 46,580 a year per annum
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
7 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
263-CCG26-020-LB
Job locations
Benton House
136 Sandyford Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 1QE
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful applicant will be a qualified and experienced counsellor. Accreditation required.
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 27th January 2026
Closing date : 10th February 2026
We welcome your application.
Please note - this vacancy may close early once a suitable number of applications are received. Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful applicant will be a qualified and experienced counsellor. Accreditation required.
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 27th January 2026
Closing date : 10th February 2026
We welcome your application.
Please note - this vacancy may close early once a suitable number of applications are received.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential

• Minimum of Diploma or equivalent in Counselling or Psychotherapy, recognised by an appropriate professional body.
• Registration with relevant Professional Body (e.g. BACP, NCS, BPS or UKCP).
• Professional Counselling or Psychotherapy Accreditation or eligible to achieve professional accreditation within 6 months of commencement in post.
• Evidence of relevant continuous professional development
• Professional Counselling or Psychotherapy Accreditation or eligible to achieve professional accreditation within 6 months of commencement in post.

Desirable

• trained in IAPT PCE CfD or commitment to complete within service specified timeframes. Training and accreditation in an IAPT Additional Modality (e.g. IPT, DIT, PCE
• Training/Qualification in CBT.

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Significant experience of working therapeutically with people suffering common mental health problems.
• Good working knowledge of mental health problems and a range of interventions.
• Experience of assessment processes.
• Knowledge of appropriate professional guidelines, practices and implementing these in your work.
• Experience of Safeguarding/Risk
• Understand of the stepped care model of delivery.
• Understanding of the importance of recording clinical outcomes.
• Knowledge of IAPT.

Desirable

• Understanding of psychological measures such as PHQ9, GAD7, ED15 etc..
• Experience of working with brief therapy.
• Knowledge of the NHS ethos.
• Experience of working in IAPT.
• Experience of delivering Clinical Supervision
• Experience of delivering Counselling with interpreters.

Skills and Competencies
Essential

• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and as part of a team.
• Counselling skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• To work effectively in delivering time limited therapy.
• High level of assessment and caseload management skills
• Ability to recognise and understand the roles and value of the full range of evidence-based therapies
• Strong verbal, written communication and networking skills.
• Good time management skills and ability to work to performance-managed targets
• Skills in using CBT for anger and Eating Disorders (or willingness to work towards with service support)
• Ability to keep clinical records in line with NHS Information Governance standards
• Adaptable to the needs of the service on a day-to-day basis and have a flexible approach to duties.
• Up-to-date IT skills and a willingness to continue developing further skills
• Ability to work in a non-discriminatory manner respecting patient rights and choices

Desirable

• Basic CBT skills

Role/Team specific requirements
Essential

• Attend specific Counselling training
• Attend regular Supervision
• Driver (full licence). Willingness to travel to locations throughout the area as needed.

Personal Charcteristics
Essential

• Ability to build and maintain effective therapeutic relationships
• Empathic, accepting and compassionate with good listening skills
• Creative/ innovative
• Reflective
• Reliable
• Able to deal appropriately with stressful situations

Additional Requirements
Essential

• Support equality and value diversity
• Must be able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.
• Ability to travel throughout region.

Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential

• Minimum of Diploma or equivalent in Counselling or Psychotherapy, recognised by an appropriate professional body.
• Registration with relevant Professional Body (e.g. BACP, NCS, BPS or UKCP).
• Professional Counselling or Psychotherapy Accreditation or eligible to achieve professional accreditation within 6 months of commencement in post.
• Evidence of relevant continuous professional development
• Professional Counselling or Psychotherapy Accreditation or eligible to achieve professional accreditation within 6 months of commencement in post.

Desirable

• trained in IAPT PCE CfD or commitment to complete within service specified timeframes. Training and accreditation in an IAPT Additional Modality (e.g. IPT, DIT, PCE
• Training/Qualification in CBT.

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Significant experience of working therapeutically with people suffering common mental health problems.
• Good working knowledge of mental health problems and a range of interventions.
• Experience of assessment processes.
• Knowledge of appropriate professional guidelines, practices and implementing these in your work.
• Experience of Safeguarding/Risk
• Understand of the stepped care model of delivery.
• Understanding of the importance of recording clinical outcomes.
• Knowledge of IAPT.

Desirable

• Understanding of psychological measures such as PHQ9, GAD7, ED15 etc..
• Experience of working with brief therapy.
• Knowledge of the NHS ethos.
• Experience of working in IAPT.
• Experience of delivering Clinical Supervision
• Experience of delivering Counselling with interpreters.

Skills and Competencies
Essential

• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and as part of a team.
• Counselling skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• To work effectively in delivering time limited therapy.
• High level of assessment and caseload management skills
• Ability to recognise and understand the roles and value of the full range of evidence-based therapies
• Strong verbal, written communication and networking skills.
• Good time management skills and ability to work to performance-managed targets
• Skills in using CBT for anger and Eating Disorders (or willingness to work towards with service support)
• Ability to keep clinical records in line with NHS Information Governance standards
• Adaptable to the needs of the service on a day-to-day basis and have a flexible approach to duties.
• Up-to-date IT skills and a willingness to continue developing further skills
• Ability to work in a non-discriminatory manner respecting patient rights and choices

Desirable

• Basic CBT skills

Role/Team specific requirements
Essential

• Attend specific Counselling training
• Attend regular Supervision
• Driver (full licence). Willingness to travel to locations throughout the area as needed.

Personal Charcteristics
Essential

• Ability to build and maintain effective therapeutic relationships
• Empathic, accepting and compassionate with good listening skills
• Creative/ innovative
• Reflective
• Reliable
• Able to deal appropriately with stressful situations

Additional Requirements
Essential

• Support equality and value diversity
• Must be able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.
• Ability to travel throughout region.

Skills Required