Lead Counsellor (Patient and Family Support Team)

Phyllis Tuckwell is seeking to appoint a Lead Counsellor to join our Patient and Family Support Team, working across both the Farnham and Guildford sites, with occasional community-based work. The role focuses on providing emotional and psychological support to patients and carers under the care of the hospice, as a core component of palliative care.

A key aspect of this role is leading and supporting a team of counsellors, ensuring a cohesive, effective, and responsive service. The successful candidate will be confident in coordinating workload, offering day-to-day guidance, and supporting the professional development and wellbeing of colleagues. The Lead Counsellor will be expected to bring strong leadership experience, including the ability to manage team dynamics, provide informal support and guidance, and contribute to service improvement and the ongoing development of psychological support within a multidisciplinary team, working alongside the clinical psychologist and other professionals.

While involvement in supervision is part of the role, a formal supervision qualification is desirable but not essential, as additional supervision support is available within the service. Experience of, or a good understanding of, working with children and young people is also important, given the needs of the service.

If you would like to feel part of a welcoming and committed team, benefit from strong peer and managerial support, and want to develop your career with excellent training and education opportunities, we would be delighted to hear from you.

• A qualification in Counselling to at least a diploma level
• Experience of leading or coordinating a team of counsellors (essential)
• A certificate in Counselling Supervision CPCAB Level 6 (desirable, not essential)
• Experience in end of life and grief issues
• Experience of working with adults and some knowledge or experience of working with children and young people
• Experience in working with volunteers
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A good understanding of safeguarding protocols and procedures
• The ability to coordinate workload and support colleagues in day-to-day practice
• Flexibility to work across both the Farnham and Guildford sites, with occasional community work
• Experience of working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, including clinical psychology input where appropriate

For a full list of essential requirements, please refer to the job description and person specification document.

Phyllis Tuckwell is a very special place to work. Our staff make a real difference to the lives of our patients and their loved ones, providing outstanding care at a time that really matters. Our Patient and Family Services staff are pivotal in helping deliver our vital services, ensuring ‘every day is precious’ for our patients.

The impact of our services on the lives of our patients and their families can be read about here:

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture, with the principles of fairness and equality at its core. We are an equal opportunities employer, who values and respects our employees’ unique knowledge, skills and experiences. We warmly welcome applications from all sections of the community. All appointments are made following a fair and equitable process, based on merit, job requirements and business need.

• Six weeks paid holiday plus public holidays (pro-rated for part time staff)
• Continuation of NHS Pension or Phyllis Tuckwell Group Personal Pension Plan (matched contributions up to 7.5%)
• Health Cash Plan Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Staff Benefit Scheme
• Blue Light Discount Card

• Access to learning and professional development opportunities (we have an on-site education team)

• Equal Opportunities employer
• Flexible hours and flexible working
• Supportive colleagues
• Clinical supervision and support
• 97% of our staff are proud to work for Phyllis Tuckwell*

For further information regarding the role or to arrange an informal visit please contact either:

• Maria Abellan, Patient, Family and Carer Support Manager and Safeguarding Lead on 01252 729430 or maria.abellan@pth.org.uk.
• Catherine Norris, Lead Counsellor on 01252 729400 or catherine.norris@pth.org.uk.

If you are unable to apply on-line or have any questions about the recruitment process, contact HR on 01252 729408 or email:

We reserve the right to close the role ahead of the closing date should sufficient applications be received. Your early response is therefore encouraged