Children & Young People's Counsellor

JR United Kingdom; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A community-focused organisation seeks compassionate Children and Young People’s Counsellors for a flexible, hybrid role in Milton Keynes. Responsibilities include delivering therapeutic support to children aged 5 and up, addressing issues such as trauma and anxiety, with emphasis on professional development and safeguarding protocols.

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 5 qualification in counselling/psychotherapy with CYP specialism.
• Registration with a recognised professional body (e.g., BACP, UKCP).
• Open to newly qualified counsellors with relevant training.

Responsibilities

• Provide weekly one-to-one counselling to children and young people.
• Conduct initial assessments to determine therapeutic needs.
• Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Creative therapy

CBT

Solution-focused approaches

Education

Level 5 qualification in counselling/psychotherapy with CYP specialism

Diploma in Play Therapy

Job description

About Us

Your Space Foundation CIC is a community-focused organisation dedicated to supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children, young people, and their families. We work collaboratively with schools, families, and professionals to offer high-quality therapeutic support that is inclusive, trauma-informed, and empowering.

The Role

We are seeking freelance, qualified, and compassionate Children and Young People’s Counsellors to join our growing team in Milton Keynes. This is a hybrid, flexible role ideally suited to a counsellor who values autonomy, collaboration, and working in diverse environments. You will deliver one-to-one counselling (with occasional group work opportunities) for children and adolescents aged 5 and up, addressing issues such as trauma, anxiety, neurodiversity, and self-harm.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Therapeutic Support

• Provide weekly one-to-one (and occasionally group) counselling to children and young people.
• Use age-appropriate, evidence-informed interventions (e.g., play therapy, creative therapy, CBT, solution-focused approaches).

Assessment and Planning

• Conduct initial assessments to determine therapeutic needs and formulate appropriate support plans.

Safeguarding and Risk Management

• Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns in line with policy and legal obligations.
• Liaise with designated safeguarding leads and external agencies where necessary.
• Complete safety planning with clients as appropriate.
• Communicate effectively with families, carers, schools, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Share relevant information while upholding confidentiality and ethical boundaries.

Record Keeping and Evaluation

• Maintain accurate and timely records of sessions, assessments, and interventions on our internal secure platform.
• Evaluate the impact of therapeutic work using outcome measures and feedback.

Professional Development

• Attend regular clinical supervision (self-sourced).
• Remain up to date with best practices, ethical standards, and developments in the field.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum Level 5 qualification in counselling/psychotherapy with a Children and Young People (CYP) specialism, or a Diploma in Play Therapy.
• Registration with a recognised professional body (e.g., BACP, UKCP, NCS).
• We welcome applications from newly qualified counsellors with relevant training and placements.

Safer Recruitment Statement

Your Space Foundation CIC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers, and contractors to share this commitment.

All offers of work are subject to:

• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Verification of qualifications and professional registration
• Receipt of satisfactory references, including one from your most recent employer or placement provider
• Evidence of the right to work in the UK

We follow a safer recruitment process in line with current guidance and legislation, including carrying out appropriate pre-engagement checks and ensuring that safeguarding remains central to our recruitment and selection practices.

Rates of Pay

£35-45 per hour, dependent on qualifications and experience