Counsellor

Rethink Mental Illness works in partnership with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust to deliver Step 1 and 2 talking therapies within integrated prison mental health teams. At HMP Millsike-a Category C resettlement prison for adult males located in East Yorkshire-the service provides high-quality, face-to-face interventions that focus on rehabilitation, skill building and lowering reoffending prior to an inmate's release. The role is mainly Monday-Friday, 08:00-16:00, with some flexibility and occasional reimbursed travel. What I will do and achieve: I deliver brief 1:1 and group counselling for depression related to recent life events, following Step 2 IAPT guidance. Working within the integrated mental health team, I support wellbeing initiatives and collaborate with Rethink colleagues across clinical and care navigation services, with supervision provided in line with BACP standards. Clinical Assessment & Intervention

• Manage referrals in line with service protocols, assessing suitability and stepping clients up or down as appropriate.
• Conduct person-centred assessments, including risk assessment, goal-setting, and identifying areas for change.
• Deliver Step 2 counselling interventions, developing, implementing, and evaluating therapy plans.
• Use recognised outcome measures (PHQ-9, GAD-7) to monitor progress throughout treatment.
Collaboration & Continuity of Care
• Work closely within the multidisciplinary team to support a stepped-care approach.
• Attend MDT meetings and maintain strong links with statutory and non-statutory agencies to support continuity of care on release.
• Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and external professionals in both written and verbal form.
Record Keeping & Data Quality
• Maintain accurate, high-quality clinical records and enter data onto agreed systems.
• Contribute to monthly performance reporting to support service monitoring and improvement.
Professional Standards & Development
• Protect client confidentiality and uphold Rethink Mental Illness values at all times.
• Engage openly in supervision and adopt a flexible, pragmatic approach to ensure excellent service delivery.
• Work to agreed activity levels to maintain accessibility and minimise waiting times.
  
  Diploma in therapeutic counselling (or equivalent) enabling BACP or similar professional accreditation.
• Post-qualification counselling experience within an IAPT or stepped-care service, delivering evidence-based brief interventions.
• Strong knowledge of assessment, screening, referral pathways, risk assessment, record-keeping and outcome-based practice (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7).
• Ability to build effective therapeutic relationships and work in an inclusive, culturally sensitive, non-discriminatory manner.
• Clear understanding of IAPT counselling models and their application in clinical practice.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence using IT systems, Microsoft Office, and clinical databases.
• Ability to prioritise workload, manage challenging situations calmly, and adapt positively to changing demands.
• Commitment to personal and professional development, using supervision constructively and maintaining reflective practice.