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Job summary

Main area
NHS Talking Therapies
Grade
Band 5, Band 6, Band 7
Contract
6 months (Fixed Term Contract)
Hours
Part time - 22.5 hours per week (Hybrid working)
Job ref
152-M354.26
Employer
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Blandford Community Hospital
Town
Blandford Forum
Salary
£19,243 - £33,909 p.a.
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
01/11/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Counsellor/Senior Counsellor/HI Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

Band 5, Band 6, Band 7

 

 

Job overview

We have a part- time 6 month fixed-term position available in the North Dorset Counselling team for either a B5 Counsellor, B6 Senior Counsellor or B7 High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counsellor.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with the appropriate skills, experience and qualifications to join a highly motivated, professional and committed team.  

Please see the PS/JD for each banding requirements including being in current practice as a Counsellor and registration with the appropriate professional body.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. 

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Main duties of the job

To provide a systematic, comprehensive counselling service within the NHS Talking Therapy programme, offering guidance, counselling and psychological therapy to patients referred by the GP partners, other healthcare Professionals or self-referrals accessing the service; to provide advice and guidance to other members of the Steps to Wellbeing Service (S2W) on psychological and mental health-related issues concerning their patients. The post holder is expected to act in a largely autonomous way, operating within recognised professional guidelines and codes of conduct, and the overall framework of DHC service’s policies and procedures.

Home visits, working with interpreters, providing a combination of face to face, online or telephone treatment. Opportunity for co-facilitation of counselling groups/courses. Regular clinical supervision and case/line management will be provided.

You may be required to work one late shift (12:00 - 20:00)

Working for our organisation

At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people. 

We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves. 

Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification.  When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate’s individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

 

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements.  Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [email protected]

This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only.  Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

Person specification

Educational Requirements and Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • • A recognised Diploma or Degree in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, Psychotherapy or Counselling
  • • Registration or Accreditation with BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), BPC (British Psychoanalytic Council), UKCP, (UK Council for Psychotherapy), NCPS (National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society), ACC (Association of Christians in Counselling and Linked Professionals)
  • • In current practice as a Counsellor
Desirable criteria
  • • Further training in a recognised model of psychological therapy
  • • Qualification or experience in providing group facilitation
  • • Qualification or suitable experience in the provision of clinical supervision

Skills, Experience and Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • • Fully competent with data input and IT systems
  • • Experience in the assessment and evaluation of risk associated with mental health and related psychopathology
  • • Effective communication in written and spoken English
Desirable criteria
  • • Previous experience of working in an NHS Talking Therapy/Primary Care service or NHS setting and working across other healthcare services.
  • • Experience in providing short term, time limited therapy, including routine outcome monitoring
  • • Experience and skills of providing psychological treatment for people presenting with depression and related mental health difficulties

Personal qualities /aptitudes

Essential criteria
  • • To be personally responsible for maintaining self-care to enable safe provision of treatment.
  • • Ability to maintain sustained and intense concentration in a pressurised, target driven environment.
  • • Capacity to work in situations demanding careful clinical judgement and to maximise the use of clinical supervision with planning and preparation of clinical caseload
Desirable criteria
  • • To work as part of a team and to develop personal, team targets and objectives.
  • • An ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
  • • An ability to work flexibly to meet the demands of patient care and service requirements.

Car owner/driver

Essential criteria
  • • Level 2 - Must be a car driver and be able to use own car for official duties when required

Employer certification / accreditation badges

National Interim Quality MarkNHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardModern Slavery ActApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveInvestors in PeopleImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingPrince's Trust - Proud to support the Prince's trust - Youth can do itStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Chloe Machin
Job title
High Intensity Counselling Team Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07551375956
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