Counsellor MHST

Counsellor MHST

The closing date is 21 February 2026.

The Mental Health Support Team in Schools (MHSTs) are looking to recruit a creative, innovative, enthusiastic qualified counsellor (Band
6) to our team in Weymouth, Portland and West Dorset. The post is advertised as a full time position (37.5 hours a week). However part time would be considered.

The Mental Health Support Team in Schools is part of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) within Dorset Healthcare and you would be joining a team of committed professionals from a range of backgrounds and with a wealth of experience. Learning and development is promoted and encouraged, and we have a number of trainee staff working with us at all times.

Our base is in Weymouth but you would be expected to travel to work across the whole of the Weymouth, Portland and West Dorset area as required. You should have a full driving licence and access to a car for work purposes.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

You will be working within education settings offering counselling intervention to children and young people presenting with mild to moderate mental and emotional health needs. You will also work alongside colleagues both within the team, and within educational settings, to promote whole school approaches to good emotional wellbeing, which may involve small or large group interventions, staff training and work with parents, carers and families.

You will maintain live registration with the British Psychological Society (BPS) or British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and to adhere to all relevant codes of practice and guidelines for professional and chartered psychologists.

You will co‑ordinate and deliver individualised care packages / programmes for children and young people and evaluate these programmes, ensuring high standards of practice in accordance with national guidelines and trust policy. You will demonstrate the ability to make appropriate decisions with regard to the confidentiality of clients and their families taking into considerations the risks to clients, self and the wider public.

At Dorset Health Care we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined‑up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward‑looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000‑strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We’re all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application…