Student Counsellor - Permanent - 22 hours per week

The post-holder will be responsible for coordinating and delivering a wellbeing and counselling service to learners in line with the Access and Inclusion Strategy and the whole college approach to Mental Health.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver professional, ethical counselling support to learners across campuses, including assessments, one-to-one interventions, crisis support, and drop-in sessions.
• Support learner wellbeing by promoting positive mental health strategies in collaboration with the Advice, Guidance and Learner Support Team.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to provide expert advice on counselling provision and mental health approaches.
• Design and deliver workshops, group sessions, and wider mental health promotion activities throughout the academic year.
• Plan, deliver, and continuously improve counselling services, maintaining accurate records and evaluating performance against operational targets.
• Supervise and mentor trainee counsellors, supporting placement opportunities and professional development.
• Contribute actively to team objectives, share best practice, deliver staff training, and engage in ongoing professional development.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Qualifications:

• BACP/COSCA registered and accredited counsellor (or potential to re-register in short timescale)
• Diploma level Counselling qualification
• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development

Desirable:

• Evidence of specialist training and experience in counselling/adapted therapeutic work with learners with complex support needs and learning disabilities, or evidence of actively working towards a recognised qualification in this area, supported by relevant practical experience.

Demonstrable knowledge of

• National priorities for education;
• Understanding of legislation in relation to Wellbeing and Mental Health
• Further Education Access & Inclusion agenda
• Safeguarding and Corporate Parenting

Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team;
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills;
• Confident in the use of ICT, including working knowledge of MS Word and Excel;
• Ability to work with discretion and maintain the confidence of learners and staff;
• Ability to communicate and deal with staff at all levels; and
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the requirements of the service.

Experience:

• Experience of working in a Mental Health service
• Experience in crisis intervention
• Experience of working in an educational setting
• Experience of working as part of a team to deliver objectives and targets;
• Experience of developing and maintaining a range of internal and external partnerships;
• Experience of working with a diversity of client groups and a wide range of clients of all ages and backgrounds;

Benefits

• Access to a generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Hybrid working (dependent and the needs of the service).
• Annual Leave – 33 days per annum plus 12 public holidays.
• A professional development review process – continuous professional and personal development.
• Professional and personal development for all staff – we offer an extensive range of staff development opportunities and events to support you in your role, help you reach your full potential and plan for your future.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Mileage Allowance – reclaimable for travel on College Business
• Employee Assistance Programme –– a 24-hour service that supports your health and wellbeing.
• Flexible Working and Family Friendly Policy – Flexible Working, Maternity, Parental, Paternity and Adoption Leave – enhanced entitlements.
• Sick Pay – Enhanced entitlement above the national average.
• Wellbeing – a range of activities to enhance and support your wellbeing, access to sports facilities and fitness activities.

About Glasgow Kelvin College

About Glasgow Kelvin College:Glasgow Kelvin College seeks to provide learning opportunities of the highest quality, which engages learners from the widest range of backgrounds, and supports their progression to employment or to further study. We play a vital role in providing accessible vocational and core-skills learning and you will have the opportunity help us create progression opportunities for learners and makes a positive impact on the communities we serve.

We deliver high-quality programmes, from introductory to degree level, to around 15,000 students each year from three campus buildings in the North and Northeast of Glasgow and through a large network of community-based centres. The College works with partners to create inclusive progression opportunities in a vibrant and sustainable environment for our learners.

Roles within the College are subject to the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme and as such the successful candidate(s) will be required to make an application for membership under the Scheme.

At Glasgow Kelvin College, we are committed to fostering a workforce that reflects the diverse society we serve. We believe that our strength lies in our differences, and we actively seek to attract talent from a wide range of backgrounds. Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.

We are dedicated to being an employer of choice by prioritising diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing. Our inclusive policies and practices ensure that every team member experiences a strong sense of belonging and can thrive both personally and professionally. We are a Disability Confident employer and guarantee to interview applicants who meet the essential job requirements. 

Join us at Glasgow Kelvin College and be part of a team that celebrates diversity and champions inclusion. Your unique perspective and experiences are not just welcomed—they are essential to our collective success.

To find out more about how we do this visit:

Equality, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging - Glasgow Kelvin College