Counsellor

Rethink Mental Illness; Sand Hutton; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

25 days annual leave

Wellbeing support

Pension

Travel schemes

Discounts & rewards

Job summary

Rethink Mental Illness is seeking a qualified counsellor to deliver 1:1 and group counselling at HMP Millsike, East Yorkshire, in partnership with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. The role is full-time, 37.5 hours, Monday–Friday 08:00–16:00 with occasional travel.

You will work within an integrated mental health team, using Step 2 IAPT guidance, maintain records, participate in supervision, and contribute to reducing reoffending and improving well-being for inmates.

Qualifications

• Diploma in therapeutic counselling and professional accreditation (e.g., BACP).
• Post-qualification counselling experience within IAPT or stepped-care service.
• Knowledge of PHQ-9 and GAD-7 for outcome monitoring.
• Ability to build therapeutic relationships in an inclusive, non-discriminatory manner.
• Excellent communication skills and IT proficiency with clinical databases.

Responsibilities

• Deliver brief 1:1 and group counselling for depression related to life events.
• Support wellbeing initiatives within the integrated mental health team.
• Collaborate with colleagues across clinical and care navigation services.
• Use PHQ-9 and GAD-7 to monitor progress.
• Maintain high-quality clinical records and data entry.

Skills

PHQ-9 usage

GAD-7 usage

Therapeutic relationship

Communication skills

IT proficiency

Clinical databases

Education

Diploma in therapeutic counselling (BACP or equivalent)

Post-qualification counselling experience in IAPT/stepped-care

Tools

Microsoft Office

Clinical databases

Job description

Join Our Team as a Counsellor

Location: Full Sutton, York (HMP Millsike)

Role: Full-time - 37.5 hours per week

Rethink Mental Illness works in partnership with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust to deliver Step 1 and 2 talking therapies within integrated prison mental health teams. At HMP Millsike—a Category C resettlement prison for adult males located in East Yorkshire, the service provides high-quality, face-to-face interventions that focus on rehabilitation, skill building and lowering reoffending prior to an inmate’s release. The role is mainly Monday–Friday, 08:00–16:00, with some flexibility and occasional reimbursed travel.

What I Will Do And Achieve

I deliver brief 1:1 and group counselling for depression related to recent life events, following Step 2 IAPT guidance. Working within the integrated mental health team, I support wellbeing initiatives and collaborate with Rethink colleagues across clinical and care navigation services, with supervision provided in line with BACP standards.

Clinical Assessment & Intervention

• Manage referrals in line with service protocols, assessing suitability and stepping clients up or down as appropriate.
• Conduct person-centred assessments, including risk assessment, goal-setting, and identifying areas for change.
• Deliver Step 2 counselling interventions, developing, implementing, and evaluating therapy plans.
• Use recognised outcome measures (PHQ‑9, GAD‑7) to monitor progress throughout treatment.

Collaboration & Continuity of Care

• Work closely within the multidisciplinary team to support a stepped‑care approach.
• Attend MDT meetings and maintain strong links with statutory and non‑statutory agencies to support continuity of care on release.
• Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and external professionals in both written and verbal form.

Record Keeping & Data Quality

• Maintain accurate, high-quality clinical records and enter data onto agreed systems.
• Contribute to monthly performance reporting to support service monitoring and improvement.

Professional Standards & Development

• Protect client confidentiality and uphold Rethink Mental Illness values at all times.
• Engage openly in supervision and adopt a flexible, pragmatic approach to ensure excellent service delivery.
• Work to agreed activity levels to maintain accessibility and minimise waiting times.

Essential Experience And Skills

• Diploma in therapeutic counselling (or equivalent) enabling BACP or similar professional accreditation.
• Post-qualification counselling experience within an IAPT or stepped-care service, delivering evidence-based brief interventions.
• Strong knowledge of assessment, screening, referral pathways, risk assessment, record-keeping and outcome-based practice (e.g., PHQ‑9, GAD‑7).
• Ability to build effective therapeutic relationships and work in an inclusive, culturally sensitive, non-discriminatory manner.
• Clear understanding of IAPT counselling models and their application in clinical practice.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence using IT systems, Microsoft Office, and clinical databases.
• Ability to prioritise workload, manage challenging situations calmly, and adapt positively to changing demands.
• Commitment to personal and professional development, using supervision constructively and maintaining reflective practice.

If you’re passionate about empowering individuals, reducing stigma, and improving mental health outcomes, we’d love to hear from you.

Why join Rethink Mental Illness?

We believe people do their best work when they feel supported, valued and able to be themselves. You'll benefit from:

• An inclusive culture, with colleague-led staff networks for Disability & Neurodiversity, Race & Ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, Gender Equality and Menopause.
• Flexible working and 25 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays and your birthday off), with the option to buy or sell leave.
• Wellbeing support including our Wellbeing Hub, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Champions and Unmind.
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Financial and family benefits including a contributory pension, enhanced family leave and travel schemes.
• Recognition and rewards including discounts, cashback offers and a Blue Light Card.
• Referral bonus where you can earn up to £300 for introducing someone to our team.

Our commitment to inclusion

We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. We're also committed to becoming a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider supported by a multi-year equity, diversity and inclusion programme of work. For more information please view https://www.rethink.org/media/hdtjjy5b/revised-edi-plan-rethink.pdf

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and want everyone to have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and experience. If you need reasonable adjustments during recruitment or when in your role, please let us know and we will work with you to understand what support you need.