Community Counsellor

YMCA DOWNSLINK GROUP; England; On-site; GBP 34,000; Part time

Job summary

A community support organization in England is seeking a qualified and experienced counsellor to provide face-to-face and online counselling for children and young people. The role involves managing caseloads, conducting assessments, and co-facilitating group therapies in local settings across West Sussex. Candidates should have relevant BACP Membership or HCPC Registration, alongside a strong understanding of safeguarding practices. This position offers a fixed-term contract with a competitive salary for 15 hours of work per week.

Qualifications

• Experience of working as a Counsellor post-qualified at diploma, graduate or post graduate level.
• Sound understanding of child protection and vulnerable adult safeguarding issues.
• In-depth understanding of counselling theory and practice.

Responsibilities

• Offer assessments to children and young people within the Tier 2 Counselling Service.
• Manage a caseload of children and young people, delivering counselling.
• Develop and co-facilitate groups for children and young people.

Skills

Counselling experience

Understanding of child protection

Creative therapeutic approaches

Ability to manage safeguarding issues

Education

BACP Membership or HCPC Registration

Diploma or graduate level Counselling

Job description

15 hours per week / £33,795 per annum pro rata / fixed-term contract until March 2026 (funding for this service currently runs until March 2026; however, we anticipate that the contract will be renewed) / working two days a week, to be discussed at interview.

At YMCA DownsLink Group, our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections - guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

YMCA Community Counselling Dialogue offer free short-term face to face, group and online therapy for young people aged 11 - 18 who live or have a GP in West Sussex. We offer a range of talking therapies, group sessions for young people who are struggling with their mental health. We see young people in different locations in the community such as youth centres, children and family centres and our own buildings. Our online counselling takes place over an electronic therapy platform.

We are seeking a qualified and experienced counsellor to deliver face-to-face and online counselling, as well as group work, to children and young people in local settings across West Sussex. You will be passionate about making a difference to lives of the children and young people. The role will be primarily based across two sites in central Crawley and central Horsham, with occasional delivery of services within community settings throughout West Sussex.

Key responsibilities:

• Offer assessments to children and young people within the Tier 2 Counselling Service.
• Manage a caseload of children and young people, delivering counselling within the West Sussex Dialogue service model.
• Work with the project administrator and project manager to ensure high quality delivery of service.
• Work systemically, e.g. liaise with and include parent/carers, educators, health professionals when appropriate and as agreed by the client.
• Manage the tight time boundaries of the role and the often complex and varied workload.
• To develop and co-facilitate groups for children and young people in the service.
• Work at all times within the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions and follow YMCA Dialogue safeguarding procedures and policies.
• Maintain individual membership of the BACP and to become a Registered Member (or other professional body such as HCPC).

Qualifications, knowledge, and experience:

• Experience of working as a Counsellor post-qualified at diploma, graduate or post graduate level or equivalent, including working with risk issues.
• You will also have a sound understanding of child protection and vulnerable adult safeguarding issues, policies, and procedures.
• An in depth understanding of counselling theory and practice and working to short-term models.
• You will have proven experience in safeguarding children and young people, responding to, managing, and referring safeguarding issues.
• You will have a BACP Membership; BACP Registered or Accredited. Or other professional body e.g. HCPC.
• You will be familiar with using creative therapeutic approaches, along with experience of working with children and young people aged 11-18 in community settings.

If you would like any further information or an informal discussion about this post, please contact [e-mail]. Should you require any assistance with our application process, please email us at [e-mail].

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 18 January 2026 at midnight.

Please note that we are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship for this role; applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment.

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns.

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity checks.