Lead Counsellor / Psychotherapist

Job summary This role balances both clinical and managerial responsibilities and the post holder will be required to work across two sites, Royal Sussex County Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital and work closely with the Staff Psychological Support Service manager. They will assist the Staff Psychological Support Service manager in operating and developing the SPSS across the hospital sites of University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. They will work directly with staff members from Maternity service and departments who refer to the service, offering one-to-one psychological support, providing short-term counselling, single and group counselling sessions, team/single debriefs, and supervision. They will also be offering supervision to counsellors, student placement and other divisional teams within the Trust. Main duties of the job The post holder will require a sound understanding of a varied range of psychological theories that SPSS can offer to ensure that staff receive effective support. Therapy will be conducted with a mix of face-to-face, telephone, and Microsoft Teams appointments, allowing flexibility in service delivery and ensuring accessibility to staff with differing needs across all UHsussex sites. In addition to providing clinical support, the post-holder will provide supportive line-management duties and undertake supervisory responsibilities for paid staff, qualified volunteers and counselling students, and where necessary other NHS departments. This is a crucial aspect of the role, as it helps ensure that counsellors, students and staff receive adequate support and guidance in their practice. Ensuring the provision of high-quality supervision will be key to maintaining standards and fostering a supportive work environment. About us Working for our organisation At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust. Candidate Pack Details Date posted 06 August 2026 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £49,387 to £56,515 a year Per annum Contract Fixed term Duration 3 years Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working Reference number 279-8186326-AUG26 Job locations Royal Sussex Conty Hospital/ Princess Royal Hopital Eastern Road Brighton BN2 5BE United Kingdom Job description Job responsibilities This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria. Proven ability to communicate and create therapeutic relationships with staff appropriate to individual needs. Communication and interpersonal skills are critical as this role holder must work to gain the trust and build confidence of clients to ensure positive therapeutic outcomes. Communicate in a professional and sensitive manner when dealing with emotional material, challenging client behaviours and distressing client presentation. Providing senior clinical oversight, setting service standards, and ensuring evidence-based practices are followed. Exercise autonomous professional judgement and clinical responsibility for the assessment and treatment of clients. This involves the analysis and interpretation of complicated facts or situations and producing a solution by comparing a range of options. Accept referrals from other disciplines and refer clients to external and internal services when relevant and appropriate. Deliver short term counselling interventions in accordance with BACP and UKCP best practice, and service protocol. Offer group reflective sessions, Teaching workshops, provide group and individual supervision to staff from maternity dept. Identify the nature, severity, and complexity of clients mental health presentations. Working collaboratively with staff and other specialist services to provide appropriate intervention Assess and allocate clients to student counsellors using existing service protocols, e. g. phone assessment Responsible for the assessment of counselling needs including the use of clinical modalities. Work flexibly and creatively from a holistic perspective in both client work and in clinical supervision. Follow service protocols when working with clients, at times this may include people in crisis, who should be signposted or referred to crisis services (in accordance with guidance from the service manager. Develops and implements personalised therapeutic packages based on comprehensive assessment, ensuring interventions are responsive to each clients unique needs and circumstances. Act as an advocate for the service and the promotion of wellbeing and counselling across the trust via direct contact with staff and management, training delivery and other relevant circumstances. Responsible for maintaining and monitoring stock levels within own area of work and acts as an authorised signatory for small cash finance payments, in line with organisational policy and financial controls. Undertake relevant training, in line with trust-wide initiatives and with the support of the service manager and wellbeing leads. Job responsibilities This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria. Proven ability to communicate and create therapeutic relationships with staff appropriate to individual needs. Communication and interpersonal skills are critical as this role holder must work to gain the trust and build confidence of clients to ensure positive therapeutic outcomes. Communicate in a professional and sensitive manner when dealing with emotional material, challenging client behaviours and distressing client presentation. Providing senior clinical oversight, setting service standards, and ensuring evidence-based practices are followed. Exercise autonomous professional judgement and clinical responsibility for the assessment and treatment of clients. This involves the analysis and interpretation of complicated facts or situations and producing a solution by comparing a range of options. Accept referrals from other disciplines and refer clients to external and internal services when relevant and appropriate. Deliver short term counselling interventions in accordance with BACP and UKCP best practice, and service protocol. Offer group reflective sessions, Teaching workshops, provide group and individual supervision to staff from maternity dept. Identify the nature, severity, and complexity of clients mental health presentations. Working collaboratively with staff and other specialist services to provide appropriate intervention Assess and allocate clients to student counsellors using existing service protocols, e. g. phone assessment Responsible for the assessment of counselling needs including the use of clinical modalities. Work flexibly and creatively from a holistic perspective in both client work and in clinical supervision. Follow service protocols when working with clients, at times this may include people in crisis, who should be signposted or referred to crisis services (in accordance with guidance from the service manager. Develops and implements personalised therapeutic packages based on comprehensive assessment, ensuring interventions are responsive to each clients unique needs and circumstances. Act as an advocate for the service and the promotion of wellbeing and counselling across the trust via direct contact with staff and management, training delivery and other relevant circumstances. Responsible for maintaining and monitoring stock levels within own area of work and acts as an authorised signatory for small cash finance payments, in line with organisational policy and financial controls. Undertake relevant training, in line with trust-wide initiatives and with the support of the service manager and wellbeing leads.