Counsellor, Mental Health, Healthcare

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust – Counsellor – Closing date: 08 July 2026

We are delighted to recruit a Counsellor within our established and innovative Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) in Gateshead. The role involves delivering high quality interventions and developing the skills and knowledge of universal practitioners in children and young people’s mental health.

Key duties include:

• Direct provision of evidence-based, outcome-focused care to children, young people and families.
• Conduct mental health assessment and interventions as part of the CYPMHS team.
• Work in partnership with education, voluntary, public, health and other sector services.
• Provide individual and group therapy using brief therapeutic tools and models.
• Contribute to the development of referral pathways and service reviews.
• Educate and raise awareness of children’s emotional and mental health issues to stakeholders.
• Identify children at risk, assess needs and implement coping strategies.

• Academic qualification:
  Accredited Counselling qualification and accreditation (e.g., BACP, UKCP) with at least 2 years post-qualification experience.
• Evidence of relevant continuous professional development.
• Strong knowledge of children and young peoples mental health issues and safeguarding.
• Experience of working with children and young people in a community mental health setting.
• Experience of multi-agency working and with schools or educational settings.
• Capability to deliver structured mental health assessments and plan, implement, evaluate packages of care.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Organisational and administrative skills, using effective systems and procedures.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, with flexibility across environments.
• Knowledge of group work, group dynamics, health promotion and research/audit/evaluation.
• Basic to advanced IT skills.

• Highly motivated, self-directed and proactive in developing interventions and care pathways.
• Creative thinker able to develop the role and services innovatively.
• Team player with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and personal growth.

We welcome all applications irrespective of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity and particularly from under‑represented groups. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture.