Job Description

Purpose of job

You will provide individual counselling sessions working across the Counselling Service provided by Tyneside and Northumberland Mind, sessions will be based in Newcastle with the focus of the client work within our Alternative to Crisis Service which offers longer term therapy of up to 15 sessions.

This service works with clients who have been referred because they are heading towards crisis or have just come out of crisis and need some additional support to keep them from returning to crisis provisions. Working from our office in Newcastle carrying out face to face counselling sessions, telephone counselling and telephone assessments. The counselling service is varied and there is an expectation that the counsellor will work across our other services where appropriate.

You will contribute to the support and development of the Counselling team, attend team meetings, line management meetings, and participate in clinical supervision which is provided in house.

Where possible you should be available on Thursday afternoons to attend core meetings, clinical supervision, CPD and to carry out work which supports a high-quality service.

You will contribute to data collection and outcome measures for the service by completing tracking on our CRM system. You will be an ambassador for Tyneside and Northumberland Mind and the Counselling Service.

Key Responsibilities

Working with clients who have been referred by their GP, Newcastle and Gateshead Crisis Team, or Psychiatric Liaison Team. Carry out client telephone assessments to gather more information and assess suitability for the service. To be proficient at using IT, especially Microsoft Office To contribute to our staff team meetings which are held on a Thursday afternoon, along with supervision and training. Refer / signpost clients onto other services at the end of their sessions if necessary. Assist in the evaluation of the service by contributing to data collection and analysis and to participate in research as required. To be aware of and comply with the policies, procedures and service standards of the Counselling Service and Tyneside and Northumberland Mind. Maintain training and continue professional development. Fulfil professional clinical supervision requirements.

Job Specification

Essential Criteria

1. A recognised professional qualification to at least a Diploma/Foundation level 5 or equivalent for example, BACP recognised course or equivalent.

2. Experience of working with a more complex caseload. (Clients at crisis)

3. Post-qualification supervised clinical practice for at least 3 years and not less than 100 hours counselling.

4. Primary Care counselling experience.

5. Registered with a professional body (e.g. BACP/UKCP)

6. Having accreditation in counselling or psychotherapy recognised by a national

professional body or working towards accreditation.

7. Ability to make use of clinical supervision (evidenced by a counselling supervisor's

statement).

8. Ability to participate in peer and individual supervision groups.

9. Record of appropriate continual professional development.

10. Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate boundaries.

11. Competency in working within a recognised theoretical framework and knowledge of

other ways of working.

12. Understand the need for risk assessment and safeguarding procedures.

13. Ability to work within a time limit.

14. Ability to work effectively with colleagues from other disciplines.

15. Ability to work autonomously and as a team member.

16. Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing and the ability to work with

people at all levels.

17. Competent in the use of Microsoft Office.

18. Good organisational skills.

19. Understanding/overview of current professional issues.

20. An understanding of and commitment to equality and diversity.

21. Commitment to Tyneside and Northumberland Mind's aims and objectives.

Desirable criteria

Qualified in Person-Centred Experiential Counselling (CFD) or EMDR Diploma Level 6/7 Experience of contributing to service evaluation. Ability to offer specific professional expertise dependent on experience. Knowledge of primary care health services. Experience of working with or within the voluntary sector (particularly mental health). Experience of working within mental health service.

Conditions of employment

In the light of legislation [Section 8 Asylum and Immigration Act, January 1997], as a condition of being able to commence employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide documentation to prove that they are able to work in the UK. Such documents will include one or more of the following, as appropriate:

National Insurance number. Birth certificate or British passport. Certificate of registration, or naturalisation as a British citizen. Passport or documentation evidencing citizenship of an EEA country.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS check)

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Probation

The appointment is subject to a probation period of 6 months.

Expenses

Out of pocket expenses will be payable at rates set out in Tyneside and Northumberland Mind's expenses policy.

Holidays

On joining, pro rata on a 24 working days per annum. Thereafter, the holiday entitlement increases depending on length of service. (The holiday year runs from 1 April to 31 March.)

Tyneside and Northumberland Mind pension scheme

Tyneside and Northumberland Mind has a group personal pension plan. Further details about the pension plan are available from the Head of Service.

Interested in joining us?

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Tyneside and Northumberland Mind embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We are committed to being an anti-discriminatory organisation and positively welcome and encourage applications from diverse and marginalised groups. Tyneside & Northumberland Mind recognises that there are systemic and individual barriers which people face in maintaining good mental health, accessing support and treatment when they need it, and being accepted for who they are in terms of their mental health. We pledge to do all we can to recognise and tackle these barriers, and to monitor our progress.

We strive to be diverse and inclusive in our workforce, our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion runs through our employee experience. We promote an inclusive workplace where our staff can bring their full selves to work and strive to ensure that everyone is offered equality of opportunity to achieve their full potential. In recruiting our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender, age, religion, disability and sexual orientation and beliefs.

When you join us, you will also have the opportunity to join our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group and help champion DE&I throughout our organisation.

Here is how to apply.

1. Answer to all screening questions on the application page.
2. Submit 1x electronic copy of your CV

Tyneside and Northumberland Mind is an Equal Opportunities employer and will apply objective criteria to assess merit. It aims to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

Selection criteria and procedures are always reviewed to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted, and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. All employees will be given equal opportunity and where appropriate and possible, special training to enable them to progress both within and outside the organisation. Tyneside and Northumberland Mind is committed to a programme of action to make this policy fully effective.

Candidates who consider that they have not been fairly treated should write to the Chief Executive Officer, Tyneside and Northumberland Mind, 3rd Floor Tru Knit House, 9-11 Carliol Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6UF within seven days of an interview, after which the matter will be investigated.

Closing Date for applications will be 12 noon 31st October 2025

Interviews anticipated on 13th November 2025

Any questions about the post please email Counselling Service Clinical Manager, Jill Bittle at Jill.Bittle@tynesidemind.org.uk

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 14,834.00 per year

Expected hours: 18.5 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Employee discount Flexitime Health & wellbeing programme Sick pay
Work Location: In person