Counselling & Therapy Team Leader


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	from £37,677 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Blackpool, FY2 0BG
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	25 Sept 2026
Closing date:	16 Oct 2026

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Summary

Overall purpose To provide visible, day to day operational and practice leadership for the therapy team, ensuring that referrals, waiting lists, clinical allocation, team capacity and safe working are coordinated effectively. The post holder will line manage designated members of the therapy workforce, support consistent standards of therapeutic practice and implement the strategic direction set by the Clinical Lead / Service Manager. This post leads day to day team delivery and professional practice within the agreed service model. It does not hold overall strategic accountability for the service, budget ownership, organisational governance assurance or final authority for major service redesign. These remain with the Clinical Lead or Service Manager. Key responsibilities Provide accessible day to day leadership to counsellors, therapists, trainees and volunteers within the agreed team structure. Translate service priorities, policies and agreed developments into clear operational arrangements for the therapy team. Allocate referrals and clinical work fairly, taking account of need, risk, practitioner competence, capacity and continuity of care. Monitor waiting lists, caseload distribution and team capacity, take proportionate action within delegated authority and escalate sustained pressures or risks. Chair regular therapy team meetings, support shared decision-making and communicate agreed actions. Promote an inclusive, compassionate and psychologically safe team culture. Line management and workforce support Provide line management to designated paid staff and ensure that objectives, appraisals, wellbeing conversations, attendance processes and development plans are completed in line with organisational policy. Coordinate the induction and local orientation of new staff, trainees and volunteers. Contribute to recruitment and selection processes led or authorised by the Clinical Lead or Service Manager. Provide mentoring, guidance and practice support; ensure any distinction between line management and independent clinical supervision is understood. Identify learning needs and arrange team-based skills development within the agreed training plan and resources. Escalate formal employee relations, capability, disciplinary or significant workforce matters to the Clinical Lead / Service Manager and People team. Clinical practice and professional leadership Undertake assessments and provide individual or group therapy within the post holders competence and agreed job plan. Support consistent, evidence informed and ethically sound therapeutic practice across the team. Offer consultation on complex allocation, risk and practice issues, while recognising when advice or decisions are required from the Clinical Lead, safeguarding lead or another specialist service. Maintain professional registration, continuing professional development and clinical supervision in accordance with the requirements of the relevant professional body. Support accurate, timely and confidential clinical records in line with organisational policy, professional standards and legal requirements. Promote equitable access and culturally responsive practice for children, adults, carers and bereaved family members, according to the service remit. Safeguarding and risk Act as an accessible first point of practice advice for day to day safeguarding and clinical risk concerns within the therapy team. Ensure concerns are identified, recorded, discussed and escalated promptly in accordance with Trinity policies and local procedures. Maintain the required level of safeguarding training and support team compliance with mandatory training. The post holder does not replace the organisations designated safeguarding leadership or hold sole accountability for high-risk decisions. Quality, data and service improvement Ensure the team completes agreed outcome measures, activity recording and data collection accurately and within required timescales. Review operational information with the Clinical Lead or Service Manager and highlight emerging themes, gaps, pressures and risks. Contribute practice expertise to audits, evaluation, pathway review and improvement work. Lead delegated, time limited improvement projects within agreed scope, resources and governance arrangements. Implement approved changes and provide feedback on their impact on clients, staff and service delivery. Partnership working Work closely with the Clinical Lead or Service Manager, Clinical Psychologist and other professional and service leads. Liaise with hospice teams, hospitals, primary care, schools, social care, mental health services and community partners where this supports safe and coordinated care. Provide information, advice and education within the post holders competence and delegated remit. Represent the therapy team at agreed internal and external meetings, reporting back and escalating matters requiring strategic decision. Limits of delegated authority May make day to day decisions about referral allocation, caseload coordination, meeting arrangements and deployment within the agreed service model. May address routine operational issues and agree short term adjustments within approved policy and resources. Must seek approval for changes to service scope, establishment, budget, policy, strategic partnerships, eligibility criteria or material redesign. Must escalate serious incidents, significant safeguarding concerns, unresolved clinical risk, sustained capacity problems and matters with organisational or reputational implications. General responsibilities Work in accordance with Trinity policies, values, statutory requirements and relevant professional codes. Complete mandatory training and participate in supervision, appraisal and continuing professional development. Protect the health, safety, dignity and confidentiality of service users, colleagues and volunteers. Undertake reasonable duties consistent with the purpose, level and scope of the role.

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