Counselling Service Clinical Lead

SOLENT MIND

11,983.78 - 13,560 per year

Hybrid

Part-time

Listed today

JOB DESCRIPTION

Counselling Service Clinical Lead

Reports To: Service Manager - Counselling Services

Location:

Hybrid

Hours:

15 hours per week (to be worked flexibly across core hours and the services
operating hours with view to increasing as service develops)

Salary Range:

£11,983.78 to £13,560.00 per annum (£29,560 to £33,448 full time equivalent) –
Solent Mind Band D

Purpose:

The Counselling Service Clinical Lead will ensure robust clinical governance and that the self-pay
counselling service is safe, effective, and delivered to the highest professional standard in line with
professional practice guidelines/BACP ethical framework.
The role is to provide support in relation to counselling for Trainee Counsellors, Associate Counsellors
and Employed Counsellors

Main duties and responsibilities:

Clinical Governance

 Lead on development, implementation, training, updates and monitoring of clinical governance

and safeguarding policies/practice.

 Contribute to the review/update of client referral pathway/journey.

 Review and monitor case management system (Zanda) efficiency and effectiveness as well as
case files and records, ensuring quality practice and compliance with note taking guidelines.

 Oversight of initial assessments and case allocation.

 Act as point of contact for clinical practice enquiries/concerns.

 Liaise with supervisors and statutory bodies regarding practice/safeguarding concerns as

appropriate.

 Ensure service delivery aligns with recognised ethical frameworks quality assurance

frameworks (e.g., NICE guidance, BACP).

Monitoring Impact and Outcomes

 Oversight of assessments and outcome tools, ensuring consistency of application and use.

 Assist with regular performance reporting activity for Operational/Board Meetings.

 Ensure assessment/monitoring tools are completed at key stages of engagement and exit.

 Embed recognised outcome measures (e.g., CORE, PHQ-9, GAD-7) to evidence impact and

inform service improvement.

 Work with Service Manager to analyse data trends and report outcomes to stakeholders,

funders, and commissioners.

Ethical Framework

 Assist Service Manager in attaining/maintaining BACP membership/registration requirements

and future organisational accreditation.

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 Report learnings from clinical practice to enable service improvement.

 Keep service updated with new practice requirements.

 Monitor compliance with Ethical Framework.

Associates, Trainees, Supervisors

 Develop relationships with colleges for trainee engagement and confirm trainee requirements

 Work with Service Manager/Volunteering Manager to recruit, train, and onboard trainees.

 Support framework for Associate Counsellors.

 Assist in recruitment, induction, and support of Associates and employed counsellors.

 Provide onboarding, induction, and ongoing training/support.

 Arrange and oversee clinical supervision for trainees and qualified counsellors

 Contribute to recruitment/support of supervisors.

 Facilitate peer support groups.

 Collate training/learning needs.

 Monitor Associate Counsellors’ membership, insurance, CPD.

Safeguarding and Health & Safety

 Act as part of a safeguarding team for counselling service.



Identify, prevent, and respond to abuse in line with policy.

 Report incidents/accidents as required.

 Monitor adherence to risk assessments and health & safety requirements along with the

Service Manager.

 Report any faults/defects to line manager.

 Assist the Service Manager with the monitoring of safeguarding and incident forms, ensuring

timely mitigation planning and learning.

Strategic Leadership & Financial Awareness

 Work with Service Manager to ensure financial sustainability of the self-pay model, including

awareness of budgets, pricing structures, and funding opportunities. As well as any agreed
updates or changes.

 Contribute to long-term planning, service expansion, and innovation to meet client needs and

organisational goals.

 Model resilience, anti-oppressive practice, inclusivity, and wellbeing, fostering a positive team

culture and supporting staff wellbeing.

General

 Promote and ensure the good reputation of Solent Mind and the service.

 Notify line manager of absence/return to work.

 Carry out any other reasonable tasks.

Adhere to the aims, values, policies and procedures of Solent Mind, particularly safeguarding and health
& safety.

This list is non exhaustive and other duties may be required to meet the needs of Solent Mind
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PERSON SPECIFICATION

Counselling Service Clinical Lead

Requirement

What we are looking for

Qualifications/Education/Training:

Recognised professional counselling/psychotherapy qualification (minimum Level 4
Diploma or equivalent).

Essential

Accreditation or working towards accreditation with BACP, UKCP, or equivalent
professional body.

Personal Development: Applicants must show evidence of ongoing professional and
personal development, including participation in further training, personal therapy, and
reflective practice.

Evidence of ongoing CPD in counselling/psychotherapy and/or clinical supervision.

Postgraduate qualification in counselling/psychotherapy, psychology, or mental health
leadership.

Training in safeguarding (Level 3 or above) and risk management.

Experience:

Significant post-qualification counselling/psychotherapy experience (minimum 450
hours of demonstrable supervised practice). Supervision must be provided regularly by
a qualified and experienced supervisor and in line with your professional body
membership).

Demonstrable experience of working with diverse client groups, higher risk and
complex cases such as addictions, domestic abuse, rape crisis, trauma/c-trauma etc.

Experience of delivering/co-ordinating clinical supervision for counsellors and trainees.

Experience of implementing and monitoring clinical governance frameworks.

Experience of safeguarding practice and liaison with statutory agencies, working with
Multi Disciplinary Teams (MDT) and attending MDT and safeguarding meetings

Experience of managing caseloads, assessments, and allocation of clients.

Experience of leading or managing a counselling service or team.

Experience of working within a self-pay or fee-paying counselling/therapy service.

Experience of monitoring and measuring impact and outcomes through the use of
outcome measurement tools (e.g., CORE, PHQ-9, GAD-7).

Essential

Desirable

Essential

Experience of working with external stakeholders such as commissioners, funders, or
partner organisations.

Essential

Ethical Practice: Practitioners must adhere to the BACP's Ethical Framework for Good
Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy, demonstrating a commitment to ethical
standards in their practice.

Essential

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies:

Strong clinical leadership and supervisory skills.

Essential

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What we are looking for

Requirement

Ability to ensure compliance with ethical frameworks and professional standards.

Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and interpersonal).

Ability to manage sensitive and complex safeguarding issues.

Competence in using case management systems (e.g., Zanda) and digital tools.

Ability to monitor and report on service outcomes and impact.

Strong organisational and time management skills.

Strategic planning and service development skills.

Financial awareness, including understanding of budgets and sustainability in a self-
pay model.

Ability to represent the service externally and build collaborative partnerships.

Knowledge of NICE guidelines, CQC standards, and wider quality assurance
frameworks.

Other:

Commitment Solent Mind’s values and policies

Willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS check

Passion for improving access to counselling and supporting client wellbeing.

Inclusive and collaborative leadership style, fostering resilience and wellbeing in the
team.

Professional integrity, accountability, and commitment to ethical practice.

Flexible and adaptable, able to respond to service development needs.

Innovative mindset, open to developing new models of counselling provision.

Enthusiasm for representing the service externally and promoting its reputation.

Commitment to continuous improvement and reflective practice

Essential

Desirable

Essential

Desirable

Date job originated: November 2025
Date job reviewed: November 2025
Reviewing Manager: Ian Stiff

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Counselling Service Clinical Lead