Sunderland Counselling Service

South Tyneside Child & Young People Mental Health Service Counsellor

The closing date is 13 April 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Sunderland Counselling Service for 3 energetic individuals with 2 years post qualifying experience of working as a counsellor / therapist with children and young people from 5-18 years old. This post will be full time - 37 1/2 hours.

Sunderland Counselling Service Head Office is based in John Street in Sunderland city centre however, we expect the successful post holders will work from a community base(s) across the South Tyneside area.

The post holder who will hold a counselling qualification to Degree, MSc, MA, or Diploma level and will be working in a South Tyneside Community Children and Young People's Mental Health Service (STCCAYPMHS) locality base within South Tyneside as part of a team of counsellors. The post holder will be engaged in the delivery and development of the counselling and training components of the service, and will work with children and young people whose lives are, or have been, affected by events to such a level that it impacts upon their emotional and mental well-being.

Main duties of the job

In this role you will assess the needs of children and young people, in relation to their emotional and mental well-being, offering counselling to help them to address these issues when appropriate.

You will participate in team development, training, regular supervision sessions as well as attending all team meetings and will help to contribute to the further development and sustainability of the service.

You will also be accountable for personal conduct and professional practice in relation to all relevant legislation and according to South Tyneside Community Children and Young People's Mental Health Service (STCCAYPMHS) policies and procedures.

You will keep accurate and appropriate records of the work carried out including contributing to the provision of accurate statistical information using the relevant outcome measures used by the service.

The post requires effective and creative work, and may involve some evening and weekend work. You may also be asked to undertake any other duties as required within the spirit of the post.

About us

You will be line managed through Sunderland Counselling Service an independent local charity that has been established for over 40 years. It has a strong person centred ethic, and has grown into one of the leading IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) providers for mental health across the North East of England.

Although you will be line managed through Sunderland Counselling Service you will be working as part of a South Tyneside Community Children and Young people's Mental Health Service (STCCAYPMHS) team, following all of their policies and procedures. This supportive team of people from different professional backgrounds works together to ensure that children and young people from 0-18 receive the support they need.

Sunderland Counselling Service may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) detection tools to identify whether an application has been completed using AI.

We expect that AI may be used to enhance your application such as refining and clarifying your ideas and thoughts and checking for grammar and spelling. However, applications where AI has been used to invent or inflate your skills and experiences or create generic responses will be rejected.

To verify you have written your application please add the following to the bottom of your application:

"I confirm that the content of this application is my own work and has not been generated by artificial intelligence tools beyond basic editing or proofreading."

Details

Date posted

05 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£31,049 to £40,823 a year This is dependant upon qualifications

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

B0330-26-0002

Job locations

51 John Street

Sunderland

SR1 1QN


Flagg Court Health Centre

64 Flagg Court

South Shields

Tyne And Wear

NE33 2LX


Monkton Hall Hospital

Monkton Lane

Monkton Village

Jarrow

Tyne And Wear

NE32 5NN


Cleadon Park Primary Care Centre

Acacia Grove

South Shields

Tyne and Wear

NE348PS


Flagg Court Health Centre

64 Flagg Court

South Shields

Tyne And Wear

NE33 2LX


Job description

Job responsibilities

South Tyneside Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Service (STCCYPMHS) Counsellor employed by Sunderland Counselling Service

Reporting to: Senior Practitioner for Children and Young People in South Tyneside

Location:A STCCYPMHS locality base within South Tyneside.

Hours:1.0 FTE (full time 37.5 hours a week)

The post holder will be entitled to 30 days annual leave at normal salary rate or pro rata for part time. In addition, entitlement to statutory public holidays will be given at normal salary rate on a pro rata basis.

Salary:

£31,049 per annum as a qualified counsellor

£38,682 per annum with BACP (or equivalent) accreditation

£40,823 per annum) with recognised Clinical Supervision qualification and BACP (or equivalent) accreditation

General Description:

The post holder will be employed on a fixed term 12 months contract which will be subject to a probationary period of 6 months. All employees terms and conditions of employment are provided by Sunderland Counselling Service. This includes 30 days annual leave per year, pension scheme, access to a free and confidential employee assistance programme.

The salary for this post is dependent upon qualifications held by the successful candidate(s). We will offer £40,823 (the equivalent of a mid-point of Band 6 Agenda for Change salary), to post holders who are BACP accredited (or equivalent) and counselling supervisor qualified. Successful candidates who are BACP accredited (or equivalent) only would be paid £38,682 (the equivalent of a Band 6 Agenda for Change entry salary). We will also welcome applications from those working towards accreditation, in this instance staff will be paid £31,049. We will support all staff in achieving their accreditation status by paying accreditation fees, providing clinical supervision, additional line management support, etc. where required.

The post holder will be working in a South Tyneside Community Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Service (STCCYPMHS) locality base within South Tyneside and in an outreach counselling role as part of a team of STCCYPMHS counsellors. The post holder will be engaged in the delivery and development of the counselling, supervision and training components of the service, and will work with children and young people whose lives are, or have been, affected by events to such a level that it impacts upon their emotional and mental well-being.

The post holder will be called upon to use a personal means of transport while engaged in the work of the service for which travel expenses will be available.

Job description

Job responsibilities

South Tyneside Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Service (STCCYPMHS) Counsellor employed by Sunderland Counselling Service

Reporting to: Senior Practitioner for Children and Young People in South Tyneside

Location:A STCCYPMHS locality base within South Tyneside.

Hours:1.0 FTE (full time 37.5 hours a week)

The post holder will be entitled to 30 days annual leave at normal salary rate or pro rata for part time. In addition, entitlement to statutory public holidays will be given at normal salary rate on a pro rata basis.

Salary:

£31,049 per annum as a qualified counsellor

£38,682 per annum with BACP (or equivalent) accreditation

£40,823 per annum) with recognised Clinical Supervision qualification and BACP (or equivalent) accreditation

General Description:

The post holder will be employed on a fixed term 12 months contract which will be subject to a probationary period of 6 months. All employees terms and conditions of employment are provided by Sunderland Counselling Service. This includes 30 days annual leave per year, pension scheme, access to a free and confidential employee assistance programme.

The salary for this post is dependent upon qualifications held by the successful candidate(s). We will offer £40,823 (the equivalent of a mid-point of Band 6 Agenda for Change salary), to post holders who are BACP accredited (or equivalent) and counselling supervisor qualified. Successful candidates who are BACP accredited (or equivalent) only would be paid £38,682 (the equivalent of a Band 6 Agenda for Change entry salary). We will also welcome applications from those working towards accreditation, in this instance staff will be paid £31,049. We will support all staff in achieving their accreditation status by paying accreditation fees, providing clinical supervision, additional line management support, etc. where required.

The post holder will be working in a South Tyneside Community Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Service (STCCYPMHS) locality base within South Tyneside and in an outreach counselling role as part of a team of STCCYPMHS counsellors. The post holder will be engaged in the delivery and development of the counselling, supervision and training components of the service, and will work with children and young people whose lives are, or have been, affected by events to such a level that it impacts upon their emotional and mental well-being.

The post holder will be called upon to use a personal means of transport while engaged in the work of the service for which travel expenses will be available.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • A minimum of two years experience of working with children and young people in a counselling setting.
  • Willingness to contribute to and assist in the development of strategies that will make the service provision accessible to all children and young people through centre based and outreach work.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a school or educational setting.
  • Experience of working in an NHS setting
  • Experience of working with multi-agency partnerships.
  • Experience of providing counselling supervision.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Qualified to Degree, MSc, MA, or Diploma level in Counselling
  • Possession of a recognised Qualification in working therapeutically with children and young people.
  • Registration with BACP or other relevant professional body.

Desirable

  • Possession of or showing evidence of working towards BACP accreditation or equivalent.
  • General education to A Level Standard or equivalent.
  • Counselling supervision qualification or eligibility and willingness to work towards the same.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Competence in and possession of a recognised model of counselling based on a recognised theoretical orientation.
  • Sound knowledge of the legislative frameworks in relation to mental health and child protection.
  • The ability to engage and work with children and young people individually and in groups.
  • Ability to make good use of the supervisory process.
  • Ability to engage and work with children and young people, affording them the opportunity to influence and shape all aspects of the service and the way in which the service provision will be delivered.

Desirable

  • Sound knowledge of children and young peoples mental health issues.
  • Familiarity with child and family support agencies.
  • Knowledge of child attachment and child development
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • A minimum of two years experience of working with children and young people in a counselling setting.
  • Willingness to contribute to and assist in the development of strategies that will make the service provision accessible to all children and young people through centre based and outreach work.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a school or educational setting.
  • Experience of working in an NHS setting
  • Experience of working with multi-agency partnerships.
  • Experience of providing counselling supervision.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Qualified to Degree, MSc, MA, or Diploma level in Counselling
  • Possession of a recognised Qualification in working therapeutically with children and young people.
  • Registration with BACP or other relevant professional body.

Desirable

  • Possession of or showing evidence of working towards BACP accreditation or equivalent.
  • General education to A Level Standard or equivalent.
  • Counselling supervision qualification or eligibility and willingness to work towards the same.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Competence in and possession of a recognised model of counselling based on a recognised theoretical orientation.
  • Sound knowledge of the legislative frameworks in relation to mental health and child protection.
  • The ability to engage and work with children and young people individually and in groups.
  • Ability to make good use of the supervisory process.
  • Ability to engage and work with children and young people, affording them the opportunity to influence and shape all aspects of the service and the way in which the service provision will be delivered.

Desirable

  • Sound knowledge of children and young peoples mental health issues.
  • Familiarity with child and family support agencies.
  • Knowledge of child attachment and child development

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Sunderland Counselling Service

Address

51 John Street

Sunderland

SR1 1QN


Employer's website

http://www.sunderlandcounselling.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Sunderland Counselling Service

Address

51 John Street

Sunderland

SR1 1QN


Employer's website

http://www.sunderlandcounselling.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead for Children and Young People

Caroline Gardner

caroline.gardner3@nhs.net

01915244000

Details

Date posted

05 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£31,049 to £40,823 a year This is dependant upon qualifications

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

B0330-26-0002

Job locations

51 John Street

Sunderland

SR1 1QN


Flagg Court Health Centre

64 Flagg Court

South Shields

Tyne And Wear

NE33 2LX


Monkton Hall Hospital

Monkton Lane

Monkton Village

Jarrow

Tyne And Wear

NE32 5NN


Cleadon Park Primary Care Centre

Acacia Grove

South Shields

Tyne and Wear

NE348PS


Flagg Court Health Centre

64 Flagg Court

South Shields

Tyne And Wear

NE33 2LX


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Sunderland Counselling Service's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)