Counsellor/Senior Counsellor/HI Psychotherapeutic Counsellor


Company:	Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Salary:	£19,243 - £33,909 p.a.
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Blandford Forum, DT11 7DD
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	16 Oct 2026
Closing date:	15 Nov 2026

Apply for this job

Summary

A Vacancy at Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust.

We have a part- time 6 month fixed-term position available in the North Dorset Counselling team for either a B5 Counsellor, B6 Senior Counsellor or B7 High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counsellor.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with the appropriate skills, experience and qualifications to join a highly motivated, professional and committed team.

Please see the PS/JD for each banding requirements including being in current practice as a Counsellor and registration with the appropriate professional body.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

To provide a systematic, comprehensive counselling service within the NHS Talking Therapy programme, offering guidance, counselling and psychological therapy to patients referred by the GP partners, other healthcare Professionals or self-referrals accessing the service; to provide advice and guidance to other members of the Steps to Wellbeing Service (S2W) on psychological and mental health-related issues concerning their patients. The post holder is expected to act in a largely autonomous way, operating within recognised professional guidelines and codes of conduct, and the overall framework of DHC service’s policies and procedures.

Home visits, working with interpreters, providing a combination of face to face, online or telephone treatment. Opportunity for co-facilitation of counselling groups/courses. Regular clinical supervision and case/line management will be provided.

You may be required to work one late shift (12:00 - 20:00)

At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate’s individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

This advert closes on Sunday 1 Nov 2026

Apply for this job