Sessional Counsellor

Sessional Counsellor
k
Recruitment Pac

Hello & Welcome

Thank you for your interest in this role at Tyneside and
Northumberland Mind. W e exist to ensure that everyone with a mental
health issue
they need from people they trust. We are passiona
te that no one
should suffer alone , that  is why we have been working with individuals,
families, communities and businesses for nearly 30 years.

can be in   control of their own lives and get the support

mental health issue

With 1 in 4 people suffering from a
and  skills of  our team are needed now more than ever.
each person has a different experience of mental issues and therefore
needs their own path to recovery. That is why we always take a holistic
approach and look at the whole person, not just their mental health
needs.   We are a motivated and passionate team, led by the desire to
the wellbeing of individuals.
positively impact

, our services
 We know that

future,  and we have confidence in the

We have ambitious plans for the
road ahead. A  key element of our future success
and skilled team , and we particularly welcome applications from
people with relevant lived experience and those that reflect the
diverse communities we serve

.

is  having  a talented

I look forward to  hopefully  meeting you  soon.

Alex Wilson
Chief Executive Officer

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Who we are

Tyneside and Northumberland Mind are an independent, local charity that delivers

mental health services across the whole of Tyneside and Northumberland.

We exist to promote positive mental health, providing flexible, responsive and

sustainable support services to those in the Tyneside and Northumberland area.

We offer a range of services, including counselling, a listening service, wellbeing

groups and training based on the principals of wellbeing, recovery, resilience and

prevention.

Our Values

•

•

•

•

•

Collaborative
Collaborate and work together

Accessible
Accessible and approachable for all

Respectful
Respectful and inclusive of everyone

Empowering
Respectful and inclusive of everyone

Supportive
Supportive through Services and Partnerships

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Our Vision

Our vision is for everyone with a mental health problem to be in control of their own
lives and get the support they need from people they trust!

Our Leadership Team

Our Leadership Team ensures the direction and strategy set by our Board of Trustees is
implemented effectively for the benefit of the users of our services. The team is made up
of forward thinking and dynamic group of professionals who between them have ma
years of experience in delivering mental health services, running charitable organisations,
and working closely with both socially excluded groups and vulnerable people and
communities.

ny

Our Board of Trustees

Our Board of Trustees is responsible for our governance and strategic direction and is led
by our Chair David Slater. Our Board is accountable for everything we do, including settling
our strategic direction, evaluating our performance, and supporting and
Leadership Team, staff and volunteers. We have 9 trustees on our Board, and they reflect
our diverse communities.

empowering our

The Mind Quality Mark

As part of the National Mind Network, Tyneside and Northumberland Mind (a local Mind)
is assessed by a robust quality assurance framework created and set out by Mind called
The Mind Quality Mark (MQM). MQM sets out the baseline of best practice and legal
compliance in all areas of a local Mind’s governance and activities. To achieve the MQM, a
local Mind must meet or exceed all 24 key standards. We are proud that Tyneside and
Northumberland Mind has met and exceeded all standards.

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About the role

Job title:

 Sessional

 Counsellor

Responsible to:

        Counselling Service Clinical Manager

Hours:

   Sessional (depending on waiting lists and service

requirements)

Based at:

 Gateshead / Newcastle

Salary:

   Sessional rate to be discussed

Purpose of job

You will provide individual counselling (Tyneside and Northumberland Mind
Counselling Services) aimed at adults experiencing transient emotional and
mental health problems.

Working on our counselling services in Gateshead and/or Newcastle, on a sessional
basis, you will provide brief therapy counselling of up to 6 sessions.  You will carry
out face to face counselling sessions, telephone counselling and telephone
assessments.

You will contribute to the support and development of the Counselling team and
be responsible for your own continuous personal development.  You will need to
have regular monthly supervision with an external supervisor.

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.

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Job Specification

Key Responsibilities

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Working with clients who have been referred by GP’s, our corporate
clients, or self

-referrals , on a sessional basis.

Carry out client

telephone  assessments

.

To be proficient at using IT, especially Microsoft Office

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.

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.  Qualified in Person

-Centred Experiential Counselling (CFD) or willing to

work towards.

3.  Post -qualification supervised clinical practice experience of a minimum of 1

year.

4.   Primary Care counselling experience.

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

6.  Ability to make use of clinical supervision (evidenced by a counselling

supervisor’s statement).

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

8.   Record of appropriate continual professional development.

9.  Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate boundaries.

10. Competency in working within a recognised theoretical framework and

knowledge of other ways of working.

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

12. Ability to work within a time limit.

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

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

15. Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing and the ability to

work with people at all levels.

16. Competent in the use of Microsoft Office.

17. Good organisational skills.

18. Understanding/overview of current professional issues.

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

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

Desirable criteria

1.  Qualified in Person -Centred Experiential Counselling (CFD)

2.  Experience of contributing to service evaluation.

3.  Holding BACP/UKCP accreditation

4.   Ability to offer specific professional expertise dependent on experience.

5.  Knowledge of primary care health services.

6.  Experience of working with or within the voluntary sector (particularly

mental health).

7.  Experience of working within mental health service.

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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 do cuments 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.

Supervision  Requirements
Successful
month in line with BACP requirements.

candidates shall  have a minimum of 1 ½ hours supervision per calendar

Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance
 Job offers are subject to the applicant holding and maintaining Professional
Indemnity and Public liability insurance throughout the contract, with proof of
cover to be provided on request.

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

Sessional Hours of work
Please note that hours of work will be based on service requirements and client
waiting lists.

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Interested in joining us?

Equa lity Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Tyneside and Northumberland Mind embraces diversity and promotes equal
opportunities.

We are committed to being an anti
welcome and encourage applications from diverse and marginalised groups.

-discriminatory organisation and positively

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 h ealth. 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.
inclusive workplace where our staff can bring their full selves to work and strive to
ensure that
potential.
can bring in terms of your culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender, age, religion,
tation and beliefs.
disability and sexual orien

  everyone is offered equality of opportunity to achieve their full
  In recruiting our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you

   We promote an

When you join us, you will also have the opportunity to join our Diversity
and
organisation.

Inc lusion Working Group and help champion D

, Equity

E&I throughout our

Here is how to apply.

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, e thnic 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
ial training to enable them to progress both within and outside the
possible, spec

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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
Northumberla nd Mind, 3 rd  Floor Tru Knit House, 9
upon Tyne, NE1 6UF within seven days of an interview, after which the matter will
be investigated.

-11 Carliol Square, Newcastle

Required for application:
1x Curriculum Vitae (CV, preferred in Pdf format)
Complete pre -screening questions.

To submit your application please follow the link below:
https://hr.breathehr.com/v/sessional

-counsellor -43525

Closing Date for
Interviews

applications

 will be  March 18 th , 2026

anticipated week commencing

 March 30 th , 2026.

Further questions and enquiries about the role?
Email:  Jill Bittle  - Counselling Service Clinical Manager
jill.bittle@tynesidemind.or

g

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Find us at:
9 -11 Tru-Knit House
Carliol Square
Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 6UF

www.tynesidemind.org.uk

Charity No: 1140856

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