Counsellor

Optima Health; West End; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays

Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme

Life Assurance

Pension Scheme

Health Cash Plan

EV Salary Sacrifice Scheme

Volunteer Days

YuLife Benefits Platform

Save As You Earn Scheme

Eye Test Vouchers

Flu Vaccination Scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Clinical Training Academy

Paid CPD Days

Registration Fees Paid

RAVE Awards

Employee Assistance Programme

Right to Request Flexible Working From

Job summary

Optima Health is seeking a Counsellor for a hybrid role in Norfolk, working 1 day on-site and 2 days from home. The post is part-time (22.5 hours) with a pro-rata salary of £32,000 per annum. Right to work in the UK is required.

The role involves face-to-face sessions on-site and telephone counselling from home. Key responsibilities include personalised assessments, ongoing counselling, appointment booking, and maintaining confidential records.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Counselling or higher (level 4+)
• Registered with BACP or equivalent (ideally working toward accreditation)
• Experience working as a Counsellor in an organisation

Responsibilities

• Provide personalised assessment for customers to guide to in-house or external professionals
• Provide ongoing counselling or welfare support via hour-long phone appointments
• Directly book appointments with frontline practitioners using a diary facility
• Provide information and assistance to callers as required
• Maintain confidential customer records in line with the Data Protection Act
• Handle all cases professionally per Employee Assistance ethics and codes of practice
• Commit to continuing professional development aligned with business needs

Education

Diploma in Counselling (level 4+)

BACP registration (or equivalent)

Job description

Job Title: Counsellor

Location: Hybrid in Norfolk - 1 day onsite (NR1 2DH), 2 days working from home

Salary: £32,000 pro rata per annum

Contract Type: Part Time, Permanent

Hours: 22.5 hours

Right to live and work within the UK is required for this role.

About Us

Optima Health is the UK's largest provider of Occupational Health and wellbeing services, supporting organisations across both the public and private sectors. With a heritage dating back to 1947, we have been helping employers create healthier, high-performing workplaces for generations, and we continue to evolve with innovative, practical solutions that make a real difference.

At the heart of our story are our people. We bring together like-minded professionals who are passionate about improving workplace health and wellbeing and delivering meaningful support to the organisations we work with across the UK.

When you join Optima Health, you become part of something bigger. We invest in our people through structured induction, ongoing training and tailored career development, helping you build the skills and experience to grow your career.

Together, we live our values:

One Team – There are no barriers in our business. We trust each other and work together as one team to deliver what our clients need. We all have a part to play in our future, and everyone's contribution is important and valued.

Doing the Right Thing – We operate to the highest standards. Success is underpinned by honesty and integrity, and by doing what we say we will do. We care about the impact of our work on our people, our clients, their employees, society, and the world we live in. Caring for our colleagues' wellbeing and respecting their time, energy and balance is fundamental to this value.

Shaping Tomorrow – We are always looking for ways to improve and innovate. We train, support and empower future leaders, invest in market-leading propositions and use technology to advance service and clinical outcomes. We evolve how we work - embracing smarter, more flexible approaches that help our people thrive both professionally and personally.

Never Too Big to Care – We always retain a client-first approach. Every client, and every one of their employees that we support, matters. We work in partnership to optimise workplace health and wellbeing, sharing in the benefits of growing together.

Role Summary

This is a hybrid role where you will be working 1 day on site in Norfolk providing face to face sessions, you will also be working 2 days from home providing telephone counselling.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To provide a personalised assessment facility for all customers and clients to give information, guidance or referral to in-house professionals or external experts for progression.
• To provide ongoing counselling or welfare support (hour long appointments by phone) if required.
• To directly book appointments with front line practitioners on behalf of customers/clients utilising a diary facility.
• To provide positive help, assistance, and information to callers as appropriate to their requirements.
• To maintain confidential customer and client records in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
• To handle all cases in a professional manner, adhering to Employee Assistance ethics and codes of practice.
• To fully commit to continuing professional development in line with business needs including relevant computer and management training and professional development.

Experience, Skills, and Knowledge Required for the Role

• Minimum of a Diploma in Counselling or higher - level 4 or above
• Must be registered as an individual with the BACP or equivalent - ideally working towards accreditation
• Experience working for an organisation as a Counsellor
• Security checks including DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and Disclosure Scotland Checks will be required to be completed by successful applicants.
• Experience of telephone work either in a service orientated customer care environment or social work/welfare rights helpline.
• Confident and competent computer user is essential. We use several databases and programs including Word for Windows and Microsoft Outlook. Working from home, there is a requirement that you would be able to follow simple instructions over the phone for basic computer issues with our IT support team if required.

What Can We Offer You?

• 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Pension Scheme
• Health Cash Plan
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Volunteer Days
• YuLife Employee Benefits Platform
• Save As You Earn Scheme
• Eye Test Vouchers
• Flu Vaccination Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Clinical Training Academy
• Paid CPD Days
• Professional Registration Fees Paid
• RAVE Awards
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Right to Request Flexible Working From Day 1

Optima Health is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants meeting the minimum criteria for the role will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, gender or gender expression, disability, race or ethnicity, religion or belief or sexual orientation.

All salaries are displayed as Full Time Equivalent (FTE).