Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Counselling & Psychotherapy in High Wycombe

Full Time (37 hrs per week) - Permanent Contract - Location: High Wycombe - Salary - £38,784 - £43,482 (Lecturer), £44,746 - £56,535 (Senior Lecturer)

We’re not trying to fit in with the higher education status quo. We’re challenging it. We’re doing things differently - because our students, our staff, and our world need us to.

So this is an exciting moment to join us.

We’re boldly reimagining what a university can be: a place rooted in social mobility, a community where difference is celebrated, and an institution that empowers people to become more than they thought possible.

The College of Health and Society is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and experienced Lecturer/Senior Lecturer to support the continued growth and delivery of the MSc Counselling & Psychotherapy programme.

The successful post holder will contribute to teaching, assessment, curriculum development, academic tutoring, dissertation supervision and placement learning, while supporting an outstanding student experience.

Working collaboratively with colleagues, placement providers and external stakeholders, you will contribute to the programme's continued development and its ongoing BACP Course Accreditation.

Applicants must hold current BACP Accreditation or be registered/accredited at SCo PEd Framework Column B or above with a recognised Professional Counselling and Psychotherapy Body (PCPB) partner organisation and maintain current supervised clinical practice.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a rapidly growing programme and contribute to the education of the next generation of counselling and psychotherapy professionals.

What We Offer

• a generous holiday entitlement (35 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
• Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
• training & development support opportunities
• contributory pension scheme
• free gym membership for our on-site gym
• a range of staff discounts with major retailers.

If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University’s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For further information about this role please contact Dr Elif B. Unsal Ozberk onelif. ozberk@bucks. ac. uk

All applications are to be made in full and online.

We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves.

Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process.

We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role.

Please reach out to Dr Elif B.

Unsal Ozberk onelif. ozberk@bucks. ac. uk if you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you.

We ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.

If you’re considering using AI to support your application, we encourage you to question the value it adds.

The use of AI tools sometimes erodes authenticity and prevents us from being able to assess the real you.

We strongly recommend you prepare your application using your own skills and knowledge and that AI is only used for the purpose of review.

Interview Date: 3 September 2026

Please note that an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required for this position.

The successful applicant will be required to give consent to check their criminal record status through the DBS.

Information will be kept in strict confidence.

Your offer of appointment will be subject to the University being satisfied with the outcome of this check.

If you are invited to interview for this role, you will need to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK and if on a visa, current visa and status.

Sponsorship is dependent on the salary level of the position.

BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.

Job Description

To be used in alignment with our Academic Charter and Career Pathways

Job Title

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Counselling & Psychotherapy

College/Directorate

The College of Health and Society

Grade

G/H

Location

High Wycombe; Aylesbury, Uxbridge as appropriate, with travel to other campuses

Responsible to

• Dean / Associate Dean or designee
• Job Purpose
• Deliver a first-class student experience and undertake impactful research and knowledge exchange activities
• Lead and undertake curriculum development, professional practice, enterprise activity, research and other forms of scholarly activity, contributing to the wider work of the College or wider University
• Practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves
• Contribute to the continued development and successful BACP Course Accreditation of the MSc Counselling & Psychotherapy programme.
• Maintain current supervised clinical practice and professional registration/accreditation in accordance with BACP (or equivalent professional body) requirements.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Research and Knowledge Exchange
• Conduct effective research and scholarly activity, generate income and align own research with teaching and learning to generate excelled student outcomes
• Collaborate and engage with relevant business and professional networks to promote teaching and learning and research in a professional context
• Engage in effective doctoral supervision and develop early career research
• Contribute significantly to knowledge through refereed conference outputs and peer-reviewed (non‑conference) outputs
• Embed research within teaching and curriculum and contribute to research impact and student outcomes
• Contribute to the leadership of an inclusive and interdisciplinary research culture
• Undertake collaborative research with external partners, communities, professional bodies and/or employers.
• Significantly contribute to the REF and KEF and to internal and external research and enterprise strategies
• Learning, Teaching & Scholarship
• Undertake research-informed teaching in the subject discipline managing all aspects of curriculum delivery, development, and quality
• Deliver educational knowledge and practice through generation of peer-reviewed pedagogical outputs
• Contribute to the development and leadership of an inclusive teaching and learning culture and ensuring delivery of excellent student experience and outcomes
• Make significant contribution to research informed innovative pedagogy, curriculum and programme planning, design, and development including use of innovative digital technology to enhance learning
• Deliver successful and impactful tutoring and pastoral support to students including the support of placements and internships
• Regularly engage with professional bodies, employers and other organisations to enhance professional practice and student outcomes
• Provide effective feedback, support and guidance to students, which promotes improvement of performance and enhances student outcomes
• Secure external funding for educational projects
• Deliver teaching across a range of counselling and psychotherapy modules at postgraduate level.
• Support students undertaking professional counselling placements, ensuring high standards of ethical and professional practice.
• Contribute to the development of the curriculum in line with the BACP Ethical Framework, SCo PEd Framework and contemporary professional standards.
• Participate in programme quality assurance and BACP Course Accreditation activities.
• Develop and maintain effective partnerships with placement providers and relevant professional organisations.
• Leadership And Academic Citizenship
• Achieve growth by increasing student recruitment
• Significant participation in business planning, strategy setting and key decision making within the College using relevant data and metrics
• Impactful development of others through mentoring, training and supporting CPD
• Engage with professional bodies, policy‑makers, employers and other relevant groups including impactful participation in civic engagement and contribution to our regional community
• Contribute to knowledge and practice through engaging with peer review, external assessment or external examination ensuring the highest quality
• Lead income generation initiatives
• Foster a culture of inclusion, making a significant contribution towards reducing awarding gaps and improving diversity in teaching and learning
• Contribute to the strategic development and growth of the MSc Counselling & Psychotherapy programme.
• Support the programme in maintaining compliance with BACP accreditation requirements and professional standards.
• Other
• Engage in professional development activities (e. g., CPD, attendance at conferences)
• Contribute to Open Days, school, college and partnership links and the marketing and promotional work of the College
• Act as a valued commentator or contributor to media
• Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e. g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices
• Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.
• For Roles With Line Management Responsibilities
• Line management responsibilities including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety and wellbeing.
• A = Application T = Test/Presentation I = Interview

Education, Qualifications & Training

• Means of Testing
• First degree in a relevant field
• A
• Doctoral level qualification or equivalent relevant professional experience in field
• A
• Recognised HE teaching qualification and/or Fellow by Advance HE or evidenced commitment to achieving within two years
• A
• Postgraduate qualification in Counselling and/or Psychotherapy (or equivalent professional qualification)
• A
• Current BACP Accredited Member or registered/accredited at SCo PEd Framework Column B or above with a recognised PCPB (SCo PEd) partner organisation
• A
• Knowledge & Experience
• Expert knowledge and research in discipline/field
• A/I
• Track record of delivering quality learning and teaching to students/learners achieving excellent student outcomes
• A/I
• Evidence as an active researcher and delivery of high-quality research and scholarship
• A/I
• Significant contribution to research active communities
• A/I
• Proven track record in delivering excellent student/customer experience
• A/I
• Active contribution to subject association; learning society or professional body
• A/I
• Experience of generating income or securing external project funding
• A/I
• Experience of doctoral research supervision, personal tutoring, mentoring or supporting continuing professional development
• A/I
• Expert knowledge of counselling and psychotherapy theory, ethics and practice.
• A/I

Experience Of Teaching And Assessing Trainee Counsellors And/or Psychotherapists.

A/I

Experience of working with professional placements.

A/I

Knowledge of the BACP Ethical Framework and current professional standards.

A/I

Skills

• Excellent presentation and teaching delivery skills*
• I
• Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools
• A/I
• Highly effective customer service skills
• A/I
• Special Requirements
• A willingness and ability to work in off-site locations and across all University campuses, as required
• A/I
• A willingness and ability to contribute to University Open Days (which may fall on Saturdays)
• A/I
• you will be required to deliver a micro-teach as part of your interview
• Behavioural INDICATORS

The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) is a framework for all University staff that sets out the key behaviours that exemplify the DRIVE values and ethos of the University.

The three key behavioural indicators for this post are as follows

Managing Self And Personal Skills

Being aware of own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

Finding solutions

Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Achieving results

Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

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