Lead Counsellor

Waythrough; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 40,000 - GBP 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health charity in the UK is seeking a Lead Counsellor to manage their counselling service and support clients facing mental health challenges. In this role, you will coordinate counselling activities, provide supervision for volunteer and trainee counsellors, and ensure high-quality care through rigorous assessments. The ideal candidate will have recognised qualifications in counselling or psychotherapy, along with BACP or UKCP accreditation. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package and a chance to make a meaningful impact in the community.

Benefits

27 days annual leave

Pension scheme with employer contribution

Life assurance

Enhanced sick pay

Birthday leave

Professional fee reimbursement

Online GP access

Recognition awards

Recommend a Friend bonus

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounts via Blue Light Card

Qualifications

• Recognised qualification in Counselling or Psychotherapy (Level 4 or above) with BACP accreditation or UKCP registration.
• Recognised certificate in counselling supervision.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, manage, and lead an accessible counselling service.
• Hold clinical governance and safeguarding accountability.
• Create and maintain pathways for the counselling service.
• Provide robust assessments of clients' mental health needs.
• Supervise and provide guidance to counsellors and trainees.
• Implement responsive systems for varying levels of risk.

Skills

Counselling or Psychotherapy qualification

BACP accreditation

UKCP registration

Education

Level 4 or above in Counselling

Job description

Overview

Lead Counsellor Recovery Steps Cumbria

Location: Cumbria

Working Hours: 30

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £40,266 - £54,478 (Pro Rata'd to 30 Hours)

Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

About Waythrough

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, weve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services and its all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job its a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

About The Role

This role involves providing structured counselling / psychosocial therapies to service users and their close family members as required. Also providing management of the countywide counselling service within Recovery Steps Cumbria and operational support to trainee counsellors on placement at the service.

What Youll Do

• Coordinate, manage, and lead an accessible counselling service with clear pathways and risk governance.
• Hold clinical governance and safeguarding accountability for the counselling element of the service.
• Create and maintain clear pathway for the counselling service from referral point to exit.
• Provide robust assessments of clients mental health needs and suitability for psychological intervention, allocate correctly with counsellors, volunteer/Student counsellors as appropriate to their capacity and skills.
• Provide supervision, guidance, and reflective practice spaces for counsellors, volunteer and trainee counsellors ensuring high quality of care.
• Implement systems responsive to differing levels of risk, complexity, and need; escalate safeguarding promptly.

To Succeed In This Role, Youll Need

• Recognised qualification in Counselling or Psychotherapy (Level 4 or above) BACP accreditation / UKCP registration (or equivalent)
• Recognised certificate in counselling supervision

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, youll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:

• 27 days annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
• Life assurance (3 annual salary)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days annual leave
• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
• Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
• £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
• Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
• Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion and accessibility

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support.

We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.