Self Employed Children and Young Peoples Counsellor

Salary: £30.00 per session and £50 per Assessment.

Hours: 8 sessions over 2 working days

Holiday: n/a Self Employed

Base: Plymouth 

Area Covered: Plymouth

Contract:​n/a - Self Employed 

​ About the Role

​To provide counselling for  children (10+) attending the Service in relation to Sexual Violence, including pre-trial therapy where relevant. This is within the context of a non-judgmental and confidential service and in accordance with our current service policy and the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and NCPS ethical framework. Ideally Level 4 or 5 Diploma in Counselling and  2 years post registration with experience of working with young people /and additional children’s qualification.

To deliver face to face sessions to clients on First Light premises and carry out assessments as needed.

Key responsibilities:

• To provide counselling services to young people aged 10+ who are referred appropriate referral channels in relation to sexual violence or abuse, including pre-trial therapy where relevant.
• ​Must engage in at least 1.5 hours counselling supervision per month, in line with professional guidelines, and be able to evidence this if requested.
• ​To assess risk of harm to clients/self/others/property and take action as appropriate and consider sharing of information in respect of Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults; acts of terrorism etc.
• To undertake specific administration duties related to the counselling service, including electronic case and note management, client contracting, user feedback and provide statistical caseload information for quarterly counselling service reports.
• To practice in accordance with the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)/UKCP/NCPS ethical framework.
• To continuously uphold the core values and beliefs set by First Light.
• To act as a professional role model, through commitment to the integration into the practice of First Light policies and procedures.
• Your supervisor must be prepared to share any concerns about your practice.
• To provide, and receive highly sensitive and emotive information. To be mindful of where there may be barriers to understanding because of cultural, language or learning difficulties in a non judgmental and empathic manner.
• ​A high level of therapeutic skills is required to provide intentional clinical interventions to specific client group.
• To conduct sessions through translators, if required.
• To build working relationships with staff, even though I am remote, I feel it is important to support the team should the need arise.
• To be able to identify symptoms of vicarious traumatisation and implement self-management/ recovery plan in conjunction with external clinical supervisor and Team Leader.
• To identify and assess relevant care, protection and risk issues relating directly or indirectly to clients and take necessary steps in accordance with Safeguarding and ethical guidelines in consultation with external clinical supervisor and Team Leader.
• ​To manage clinical risk within own caseload and to flexible within the service, should my team leader require my help.
• To be able to plan a workload and work to our time limited counselling protocol of 12 sessions per client.
• To be punctual and reliable.
• To be able to receive and accept regular work from the Therapeutic Team Manager.
• To develop and maintain knowledge and skills relevant to this area of work, which meets the needs of the organisation, client group and sexual offences legislation.
• To identify own personal and professional development needs and to keep abreast of best practice in relation to sexual violence.
• To ensure continued professional development in accordance with professional body framework.
• ​To be “in date” for Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults and Child Protection courses. Certificates must be provided to Admin. 
• To support the implementation of research findings where appropriate to ensure quality of service and effective practice.

Essential requirements

• Individual and Registered Member of BACP or NCPS.
• Diploma in Counselling (Min Level 4), Psychotherapy/ Counselling.
• Experience in therapeutic work with children and young people
• Handling confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• Evidence of knowledge and skills relevant to this area of work
• Understanding the issues relating to rape and sexual assault
• Understanding of the BACP or NCPS Ethical Framework.
• Understanding of safeguarding practices for children and vulnerable adults
• Knowledge and use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Excellent verbal and communication skills
• Ability to manage own workload
• Ability to utilise clinical supervision effectively
• Non-judgmental, treat all clients, visitors and colleagues with dignity and respect
• Exemplary personal standards of conduct and behaviour
• Able to work, and fully commit to our policies on equality and diversity
• Able to maintain personal and professional boundaries

Added benefits:

• Working for an organisation committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We encourage applications from all sections of the community, and all backgrounds regardless of age, race, faith, disability, neuro-diversities, genders, gender expression or sexuality.  First Light are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and have an LGBTQIA+ Staff Network.

Additional Information:  The successful applicant will be subject to a Disclosure & Barring check, and a social media check conducted by a third party organisation as part of our Safer Recruitment process. Any future offer of employment is contingent on the satisfactory completion of these checks, as well as the receipt of two satisfactory employment references, with one being from your current or most recent employer. Please note that in some roles staff may be required to work from a home/office base in accordance with our Hybrid Working policy.

Deadline for receipt of applications:  09:00 on Friday 10th April 2026

Expected date for interviews: to be agreed with the candidate

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If you do not hear from us within 10 working days of the deadline for receipt of applications, please assume you have been unsuccessful at this time. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert early for the right candidate, so we encourage early applications.

​To apply:​Due to Safeguarding requirements we are unable to accept CVs as part of your application, or employ any candidate who has been a client of First Light within the last two years.