Counsellor

Arts University Bournemouth; Poole; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

LGPS

Job summary

Arts University Bournemouth in Poole seeks a part-time Counsellor to join the Counselling Team within Student Services. You will deliver a confidential, one-at-a-time counselling service to students, working under the BACP Ethical Framework.

Applicants must hold a recognised counselling qualification and be a BACP accredited member, with a minimum of two years post-qualifying experience. Experience in higher education is preferred; flexible working options are available, including hybrid

Qualifications

• Must hold a recognised counselling qualification.
• Be a BACP accredited member.
• Minimum two years post-qualifying counselling experience.
• Experience in higher education setting preferred.
• Experience with one-at-a-time counselling model is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential counselling to students within a one-at-a-time model.
• Manage a specialist caseload autonomously.
• Adhere to BACP Ethical Framework and safeguarding policies.

Skills

BACP accredited

Counselling experience

One-to-one counselling

Education

Recognised counselling qualification

Job description

ClosingDate: 23.59 hours GMT on Sunday 01 November 2026

InterviewDate: Tuesday 24 November 2026

Reference: AD1691

Our statutory commitments

AUB is committed to meeting its legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and to securing lawful freedom of speech and academic freedom in accordance with the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023. We are committed to providing a working and learning environment that is fair, respectful and free from unlawful discrimination.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, particularly encourage applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds and people who are disabled, who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

AUB holds the Silver Award from Inclusive Employers in recognition of our work to support inclusive practice across the University.

Our commitment to Safeguarding

AUB is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding. We take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety and welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk who engage with us, as well as those who work with them.

About the role

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Counsellor to join our Counselling Team within Student Services on a part time basis. The postholder will support the coordination and delivery of a professional and confidential counselling service to students, working in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.

Working within a one-at-a-time counselling model, the postholder will autonomously manage a specialist caseload and provide focused, responsive therapeutic support, helping to ensure students can access counselling at the point of need.

Applicants will need to hold a recognised counselling qualification and be a BACP accredited member. You will have a minimum of two years’ post-qualifying counselling experience and a strong working knowledge of the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. Experience of counselling within a higher education setting, and/or working within a one-at-a-time counselling model, would be an advantage.

The work pattern for this role is Wednesday - 12:00 to 17:00, Thursday - 08:30 to 17:00 and Friday - 08:30 to 16:30 with 1 hour break each day.

In return, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to students' lives and contribute to an exceptional student experience at Arts University Bournemouth.

This position involves working with children (under-18s) / vulnerable people and therefore requires compliance with the University’s Safeguarding Policies, including the requirement for enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance prior to the commencement of employment. The University is committed to stringent Safeguarding practices, including in its practices around the recruitment and selection of staff, to positions which involve working with children and/or vulnerable people. The successful candidate will be required to complete AUB approved Safeguarding Training.

In meeting your performance expectations, you’ll receive an annual salary increase in line with the grade of your role. An annual cost of living uplift will be applied, the timing and implementation of which are subject to the University’s decision. AUB provides generous holiday entitlement, and you will be enrolled in the Local Government Pension Scheme (professional services staff) or the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (academic staff) from day one of employment. Along with subsidised bus travel, cycle to work and annual savings schemes, our broad range of benefits can be explored on the AUB careers website https://aub.ac.uk/working-at-aub.

AUB has an agile working policy, and flexible working can be considered.

This position does not meet the UKVI salary requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must therefore demonstrate their right to work in the UK without sponsorship.