Lead Facilitator at Release Counselling And Therapy For Women

Community Base; Worthing; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A local charity in West Sussex is seeking a qualified female Lead Facilitator for perinatal and perimenopause therapeutic groups. This freelance role involves leading therapeutic sessions, managing support facilitators, and necessitates a recognized counselling qualification, significant experience in group settings, and a commitment to improving women's mental health. The remuneration is £49 per hour, with homeworking and external delivery involved.

Qualifications

• Experience leading on safeguarding and health and safety within a group setting.
• Extensive experience in leading mental health therapeutic groups.
• Experience of working within a trauma-informed approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of a range of therapeutic groups and workshops.
• Undertake participant assessments in the lead-up to the groups.
• Ensure the groups run in a safe and supportive manner.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Excellent organisational skills

Self-motivated and able to take initiative

Ability to work as part of a team

Education

Recognised diploma or degree in counselling/psychotherapy/psychology

BACP/UKCP or equivalent registered

Job description

We are looking for qualified female counsellors with experience in leading groups to facilitate our weekly perinatal and perimenopause therapeutic groups across Sussex, subject to funding. Our groups typically take place during the week after 9:30 a.m, with occasional evening availability being desirable.* This post is only open to female applicants as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Founded in 2013, Release Counselling and Therapy for Women is a charity that has supported the mental health of thousands of women across Sussex.

Over the last decade, we have developed a skilled and experienced therapy team, who offer a range of services to help women during the most challenging life stages – during the perinatal and peri/menopausal periods.

Our support is unique as everything we do is created and led by qualified counsellors, and we have become best known for our Therapeutic Groups and Wellbeing Days for mums/birthing people and women experiencing menopause. We also run a counselling service for women, supporting them through those other challenges in life.

Job title: Lead Facilitator

Location: Brighton and Hove and Shoreham/Worthing. The role will involve homeworking and external delivery and may be subject to change.
Accountable to Chief Executive
Direct reports: Support Facilitator
Hours: TBC
Contract: Freelance contract
Summary of post: To act as a Lead Facilitator on a wide range of perinatal and perimenopause therapeutic groups for the charity, our Wellbeing Days and workshops.
Remuneration: £49 per hour

Main Purpose and Scope of Role

• Lead the delivery of a range of therapeutic groups and workshops for the charity
• Undertake participant assessments in the lead‑up to the groups and workshops commencing
• Ensure the groups and workshops run in a safe and supportive manner
• Manage the Support Facilitators during the delivery of the groups and workshops
• Undertake monitoring and evaluation of the groups and workshops
• Commit to the duration of the delivery of the groups and workshops
• Liaise with partner organisations and referral partners relating to the groups and workshops
• Maintain confidential files and adhere to the highest levels of confidentiality
• Attend line management meetings and regular clinical supervision as required
• Promote the work of Release and support the charity in outworking its aims
• Ensure the work adheres to the highest safeguarding and child protection standards
• Demonstrate a commitment to equality of opportunity for all

Personal Specification

• Essential: A recognised diploma or degree in counselling/psychotherapy/psychology or equivalent
• Essential: Experience leading on safeguarding and health and safety within a group setting
• Essential: Qualification or training in group work
• Essential: Currently in clinical practice
• Essential: Extensive experience in leading mental health therapeutic groups
• Essential: Experience of working within a trauma‑informed approach
• Essential: BACP/UKCP or equivalent registered
• Essential: Working within voluntary sector agencies
• Essential: Comprehensive understanding of the complex physical, mental and emotional impacts on maternal and perimenopausal mental health
• Essential: Excellent interpersonal skills
• Essential: Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise workload
• Essential: Self‑motivated and able to take initiative
• Essential: Ability to work as part of a team
• Essential: A commitment to improving the lives of women experiencing mental ill‑health
• Essential: Clear boundaries around confidential working practices
• Essential: Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Essential: Commitment to the highest levels of good safeguarding practice
• Desirable: Experience of working with perinatal or perimenopausal populations
• Desirable: CPD in group facilitation or trauma‐informed practice

To apply, please send your CV and covering letter before 5 December 2025 to [e-mail].
Interviews will be held in early January 2026. We are committed to actively encouraging applications from candidates with disabilities and those from under‑represented ethnic, religious, and age groups. We guarantee an interview to any candidate declaring a disability who meets the essential criteria for the role.

Variable - when groups are running it is 2 hours a week