Counsellor

SMALP; Hatfield; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Hertfordshire is seeking a Counsellor to provide short-term, one-to-one counselling to students, delivered face-to-face and online, in line with the BACP Ethical Framework. The role involves initial assessments, risk evaluation, and therapeutic support for students with complex needs.

You will maintain clinical records, contribute to reports, and coordinate referrals within Student Wellbeing and external services such as the NHS.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience providing short-term counselling and therapeutic interventions.
• Minimum of 450 clinical hours.
• Experience with vulnerable/high-risk students including self-harm or suicidal ideation.

Responsibilities

• Provide short-term, one-to-one counselling for students face-to-face and online.
• Undertake initial assessments, evaluate wellbeing and risk, provide therapeutic support.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service data/reports.
• Make appropriate referrals within Student Wellbeing and external services (NHS).

Skills

Counselling & therapy

Risk assessment

Online counselling

Outcome measures

Referrals/triage

Education

Level 7 qualification in Counselling/Psychotherapy

Professional accreditation/registration (BACP/UKCP/BABCP/HCPC/BAAT)

Job description

FTE: 0.6FTE (working 22.2 hours per week – 3 days per week). There is a requirement to work on campus on Tuesday.

Salary: UH7 £39,560 pro rata per annum to £46,970 pro rata per annum by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience.

Annual Leave: 30 days pro rata plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: College Lane Campus, Hatfield

Main duties and responsibilities

You will provide short‑term, one‑to‑one counselling to students, delivered face‑to‑face and online, using an integrative and/or solution‑focused approach and working in line with the BACP Ethical Framework. You will undertake initial assessments, evaluate wellbeing and levels of risk, and provide therapeutic support to students presenting with complex and high‑risk needs, including during crises and emergencies.

The role involves maintaining accurate clinical records, contributing to service data and reports, and making appropriate referrals within Student Wellbeing, the wider University and to external services such as the NHS.

Skills and experience required

You will have substantial experience of providing short‑term counselling and therapeutic interventions, with a minimum of 450 clinical hours, and demonstrable experience of working with vulnerable and high‑risk students, including those who self‑harm or experience suicidal ideation. You will be confident in assessing and managing risk, delivering online counselling, using outcome measures, and referring students appropriately for additional support.

Qualifications required

You will be educated to a minimum of Level 7 (eg Masters, PGDipl or equivalent) or equivalent in Counselling or Psychotherapy and be professionally accredited or registered with BACP, UKCP, BABCP or HCPC/BAAT, or be within six months of achieving accreditation/registration.

REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT

DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE

This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 as amended. The University requires that the successful applicant who is offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. An Enhanced Disclosure will be required and this will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions. The University of Hertfordshire complies with the ‘Code of Practice for Registered Persons and other recipients of Disclosure Information’.

Overseas applicants and UK applicants who have lived abroad

Successful applicants who have lived outside the UK, for 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total), in the last 10 years, will be required to produce a ‘Certificate of Good Character/Conduct’ from each of those countries.

We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work before an offer is made.

The counsellor post is not suitable for current students of the University of Hertfordshire.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Senior Counsellors: Mr Peter De Santis [e-mail] or Ms Sabrina George, [e-mail].

Closing Date: 20 November 2026

Interview Date: 11 December 2026

£39,560 to £46,970 pro rata per annum by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience. UH7