Counselling jobs in United Kingdom

We are looking for an enthusiastic, creative and highly motivated psychology graduate to work in the established Rough Sleeping Mental Health Service in Southend. This is an exciting post which provides an excellent opportunity to be part of a dynamic and dedicated team. Services across EPUT greatly value psychology and are committed to embracing a multi‑disciplinary and whole system approach. The Rough Sleeping Mental Health Service is a multi‑disciplinary team focused on supporting people who are currently or have been experiencing rough sleeping in Southend.

This advert will close early should we receive a high number of applications. We unfortunately cannot accept late applications.

During COVID many of Southend’s rough sleepers were temporarily or permanently housed, and we recognise the need for this group to be intensively supported to maintain their tenancies. The service’s work will not be limited to tenancy sustainment and will work holistically to support all needs of the person, linking closely with other services to ensure that people do not fall through the gaps of services. A specific focus is placed on supporting rough sleepers with mental health difficulties in being able to access traditional mental health services. There will be a priority on adopting relationally based interventions across the established multidisciplinary team with the aim to reduce risks across physical and mental health as well as develop increasingly stable and meaningful living. Mental health support for those experiencing rough sleeping is, in our view, a missing link in supporting people to leave the streets permanently. We are looking for an assistant psychologist to be part of this team to help us support some of Southend’s most vulnerable and marginalised people. In Southend, we aim to be a centre of excellence, by providing person‑centred, holistic, trauma‑informed and gender‑informed support to bring about lasting change and enabling people to sustain fulfilling, productive and purposeful lives.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

The Assistant Psychologist role will be joining the team and play a pivotal part in continued development of the service. You would be involved in mapping the provision of rough sleeping support as well as engaging with local charitable organisations to summarise what they offer and what their support needs are. You will take a lead in monitoring outcomes for the service and contribute to the development of service evaluations, newsletters and updating on service progression. You will work alongside an experienced Clinical or Counselling Psychologist and have further opportunity to be involved in pre‑treatment work with people rough sleeping, such as co‑facilitating wellbeing and intervention groups. The applicant would be involved in evidence‑based interventions and support the team in psychological theory and practice. You will also be exposed to case discussion meetings and be part of developing psychological formulations, alongside qualified staff, to inform best practice and compassionate responses to needs. You will have weekly supervision from a psychologist also enabling a rich experience of the supervisory process.

The post-holder should aspire to develop their clinical and research skills, which includes clinical risk assessment and accurate clinical notes, and be keen to work flexibly and in a variety of settings across health and charitable settings. This is an excellent opportunity for a psychology graduate aiming to secure an Assistant Psychologist post and undertake doctoral postgraduate training in clinical or counselling psychology in the future. The service has an excellent track record of assistant psychologists securing a place on Clinical Psychology courses.

Please do not use AI to support the writing of your application form. An AI detection check will be used ahead of shortlisting and any applications that detect AI will be rejected.

If you would like to have an informal discussion about the post please contact Lee Joseph, Principal Counselling Psychologist and Interim Consultant Psychologist Lead for Southend Rough Sleepers Mental Health Team on 07970 504387 or vialee.joseph@nhs.net.

This advert closes on Thursday 27 Nov 2025.