Head of Counselling & Bereavement Services

St Peter & St James Hospice; Lewes; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday

Enhanced maternity/adoption pay

Monthly occupational health clinics

20% discount in charity shops

Job summary

St Peter & St James Hospice is seeking an experienced Lead Counsellor to shape and drive our counselling and bereavement services. You will provide clinical leadership to the counselling team, supervise staff and volunteers, and work with multidisciplinary colleagues to ensure high-quality psychosocial support for patients and families.

We welcome accredited counsellors with leadership experience, committed to person-centred care and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Diploma/degree/master's in counselling required.
• BACP or UKCP accreditation, or working towards accreditation.
• Excellent counselling, supervision and interpersonal skills.
• Significant experience supporting individuals affected by loss, grief or life-limiting illness.
• Experience managing/supervising staff or volunteers.
• Strong understanding of bereavement and its impact on families.
• Ability to work independently within a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Provide counselling and psychosocial support to patients, families and the bereaved.
• Manage referrals and assessment processes in line with KPIs.
• Triage incoming referrals and allocate support across the team.
• Lead, supervise and support qualified and volunteer counsellors.
• Recruit, train and develop volunteer counsellors.
• Provide counselling supervision and professional guidance to the team.
• Oversee bereavement support groups and develop services.
• Participate in MDT meetings and care planning.
• Deliver psychosocial and counselling training to colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate records in designated electronic systems.
• Ensure counselling practice adheres to standards and procedures.
• Lead service development initiatives and review clinical guidelines.
• Work with Head of Supportive Care to monitor service performance.
• Support audits, evaluations and research.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Independent worker

Education

Diploma/degree/master's in Counselling

Accreditation (BACP/UKCP) or in progress

Tools

SystmOne / clinical records

Job description

St Peter & St James Hospice is seeking an experienced Lead Counsellor to shape and drive our counselling and bereavement services. You will provide clinical leadership to the counselling team, supervise staff and volunteers, and work with multidisciplinary colleagues to ensure high-quality psychosocial support for patients and families.

We welcome accredited counsellors with leadership experience, committed to person-centred care and ongoing professional development.