Lead Student Counsellor

Lighthouse Learning Trust; Southampton; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 31,000; Part time

Job summary

Lighthouse Learning Trust seeks a Lead Student Counsellor to provide mental health and wellbeing support across Richard Taunton Sixth Form College and St Vincent Sixth Form College. This role involves developing initiatives, delivering high-quality counselling services, and collaborating with internal and external agencies to foster an inclusive educational environment.

Qualifications

• Dedicated and compassionate counselling professional.
• Ability to innovate mental health provision and develop initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Mental Health Lead for two colleges.
• Spearhead the student mental health and wellbeing strategy.
• Manage a caseload and deliver various therapeutic interventions.
• Train staff in student support and lead a team of placement counsellors.

Job description

LEAD STUDENT COUNSELLOR

30 hours per week (days and hours to be discussed at interview)

Term time only (37 weeks)

Salary: £30,959 FTE/£20,467 actual

September start

Working across Richard Taunton Sixth Form College (Southampton) and St Vincent Sixth Form College (Gosport)

About Us – An Inclusive, Student-Centred Trust

Lighthouse Learning Trust is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation that prides itself on being welcoming and inclusive. We are a multi-academy trust comprising Richard Taunton and St Vincent Colleges, and we celebrate diversity and create an environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected. Joining us means becoming part of a community that is passionate about transforming lives through education and supporting every student to achieve their potential.

The Opportunity – Lead Student Counselling Support Across Two Colleges

We are thrilled to offer an exciting opportunity for a dedicated and compassionate counselling professional to join our team as Lead Student Counsellor. In this pivotal role, you will act as the Mental Health Lead for the two colleges, spearheading our student mental health and wellbeing strategy across both college campuses . This is a chance to shape and develop our counselling service and make a real difference in the lives of young people across Southampton and Gosport.

As Lead Student Counsellor, you’ll spearhead the Trust’s mental health and wellbeing strategy across both colleges by developing initiatives, providing high-quality counselling services, and maintaining a proactive, supportive environment for students. Your role includes managing a caseload, delivering varied therapeutic interventions, innovating mental health provision (such as the online wellbeing hub), training staff in student support, and leading a team of placement counsellors and volunteers. You’ll collaborate closely with internal colleagues and external agencies, ensure safeguarding protocols are upheld, and make timely referrals for students who need additional specialist support—ultimately fostering a culture of care, resilience, and inclusion for every learner.

If you’re excited about leading mental health initiatives and providing life-changing support to students in an environment that values compassion, innovation, and inclusivity, then we want to hear from you! Join us as our Lead Student Counsellor and help us ensure that no student faces their challenges alone.

Closing date: Sunday 10th August at Midnight

Interviews to be held: 19th and 20th August

Successful candidates will be required to complete an enhanced DBS application