Job summary
An Exciting opportunity has risen for an individual who would like to work as part of the specialist maternity counselling services at Saint Mary's managed clinical service as part of the specialist hospital clinical group. The post holder will be working within a team to develop and co-ordinate the counselling service across the MCS, for parents who have suffered major complications of pregnancy and delivery. In addition to the clinical service, they will also be responsible for balancing, liaison, and administrative aspects of the counselling service. The post holder must demonstrate a commitment to providing psychological and therapeutic interventions for mothers/fathers and couples on a range of complex and sensitive issues specific to pregnancy, for example (not exclusive to) traumatic birth, tokophobia (fear of labour) pregnancy loss (including termination of pregnancy for foetal/maternal conditions and stillbirth, miscarriage and neonatal loss pregnancy loss), issues surrounding surviving twins/triplets, and support with next pregnancy.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will offer face to face or virtual psychological and emotional psychological support to identified families in line with MFT Values and behaviours.
Undertake assessments of all patients referred at any stage of pregnancy or postpartum, many of whom present with multiple and complex issues (e.g. mental health concerns, psychiatric histories and/or safeguarding concerns) in order to establish appropriateness of treatment including emotional support as and when this is required and risk assessment.
Carry a caseload of individual (in-patient and out-patient) and couple counselling, providing short, medium and longer term counselling and support as required
Deliver specialist therapeutic counselling to patients including bereavement and pregnancy loss, next pregnancy support.
The post holder is responsible and accountable for matters of professional clinical judgement. They may seek advice and guidance as required and appropriate, from liaison psychiatry or other accredited psychotherapy/clinical psychology colleagues and other healthcare specialists
Maintain professional standards of competence, confidentiality and conduct consistent with those set out in the professional code of conduct as drawn up by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or other recognised professional counselling/psychotherapy body and appropriate ethical frameworks
About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your applicationHere at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application. Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your applicationHere at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application. Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oDiploma or above in counselling or psychotherapy.
- oBACP accreditation or accreditation with other recognised professional counselling/psychotherapy body
- Education to degree level
Desirable
- Qualification in counselling supervision
Training & Experience
Essential
- oSignificant perinatal experience in NHS, public or voluntary sector including short, medium and longer term work.
- oExperience in counselling on a wide range of problems to individuals, couples and families eg anxiety, depression, bereavement, psychosexual issues, trauma, PTSD
- oExperience in managing crisis orientated and trauma situations
- Proven ability to work in multidisciplinary setting
Desirable
- oExperience in Obstetrics and Neonatology.
- oTraining and development of doctors, midwives and nurses in psychological care of patients in Obstetrics and Neonatology and couple counselling
skills & abilties
Essential
- oExperience in video and telephone counselling
- oUnderstanding of the complex and sensitive psychological needs of bereaved parents
- oKnowledge of the specialist psychological issues linked to pregnancy loss(stillbirth, miscarriage and neonatal death) termination of pregnancy ,surviving of twin/triplet
Desirable
- oGroup facilitation and teaching skills with staff
- oUnderstanding of audit process and ability to present findings at senior management meetings
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oDiploma or above in counselling or psychotherapy.
- oBACP accreditation or accreditation with other recognised professional counselling/psychotherapy body
- Education to degree level
Desirable
- Qualification in counselling supervision
Training & Experience
Essential
- oSignificant perinatal experience in NHS, public or voluntary sector including short, medium and longer term work.
- oExperience in counselling on a wide range of problems to individuals, couples and families eg anxiety, depression, bereavement, psychosexual issues, trauma, PTSD
- oExperience in managing crisis orientated and trauma situations
- Proven ability to work in multidisciplinary setting
Desirable
- oExperience in Obstetrics and Neonatology.
- oTraining and development of doctors, midwives and nurses in psychological care of patients in Obstetrics and Neonatology and couple counselling
skills & abilties
Essential
- oExperience in video and telephone counselling
- oUnderstanding of the complex and sensitive psychological needs of bereaved parents
- oKnowledge of the specialist psychological issues linked to pregnancy loss(stillbirth, miscarriage and neonatal death) termination of pregnancy ,surviving of twin/triplet
Desirable
- oGroup facilitation and teaching skills with staff
- oUnderstanding of audit process and ability to present findings at senior management meetings
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
