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- Tasks: Lead clinical practice for counselling services and set standards for therapists.
- Company: Join Family Action, a compassionate organisation transforming lives since 1869.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on relationship therapy across the UK and support diverse communities.
- Qualifications: Accredited clinical membership and extensive therapy experience required.
Home-based (UK) with occasional national travel
About Us
At Family Action, we transform lives by providing practical, emotional, and financial support to those experiencing poverty, disadvantage, and social isolation. Since 1869, we have been building stronger families, and today, we work with over 60,000 families across more than 150 community-based services. We also support thousands more through national programmes and grants, ensuring everyone has the tools to overcome challenges and thrive.
Now part of Family Action, Relate delivers high-quality counselling and therapeutic services to thousands of people each year. Our focus is on excellence, inclusivity, and ensuring every client feels heard, valued, and respected.
We are now looking for a Clinical Practice Lead to join our Relate Counselling Services on a full-time, permanent basis, working 37 hours per week.
The Benefits
- Salary of £48,000, rising to £60,000 per annum
- Additional £480 per year home-based allowance
- An annual paid leave entitlement of 30 working days plus bank holidays
- Up to 6% matched-pension contributions
- Flexible working arrangements and new starters have the right to make flexible working requests from day one of employment
- Enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions
- Eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers
- Cycle to work scheme
- Investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities
This is a meaningful opportunity for an accredited clinical therapist with extensive post-qualification experience and clinical leadership or supervision expertise to join our compassionate organisation. You’ll be joining us at an exciting time as we re-design our services and raise our clinical standards to re-assert ourselves as the UK’s leading specialist in intimate relationship support. What’s more, you’ll have the chance to make a real impact on our clinical direction and help to define how relationship and psychosexual therapy is practised across the UK.
The Role
As a Clinical Practice Lead, you will provide national clinical leadership for Relate’s counselling services, setting the standard for our counsellors and supervisors. Taking the lead on our clinical governance frameworks, you will be the go-to person for complex cases of safeguarding concerns, the sounding board for new services and products, and our sector-level representative for professional forums. Leading a team of Clinical Supervisors and the clinical elements of our QA framework, you will build our national CPD programme and support the employee journey.
Additionally, you will:
- Use data and research to improve outcomes
- Embed reflective, psychologically safe practice across the organisation
- Support recruitment, supervision and competency frameworks
- Shape new clinical models, digital services and product development
- Use data and research to strengthen practice and service outcomes
About You
To be considered as a Clinical Practice Lead, you will need:
- Accredited clinical membership with a recognised professional body (e.g. BACP, UKCP, NCPS, COSRT)
- Extensive post-qualifying experience delivering therapy to individuals, couples and/or families
- Proven experience providing clinical leadership and/or supervision across complex services
- A strong understanding of safeguarding, risk and clinical governance
- The ability to lead with credibility, compassion, courage and inclusivity
The closing date for this role is 24th May 2026.
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any adjustments if shortlisted for an interview. We also make reasonable adjustments on the job, where required. We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Intersectionality is important to us, and we particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ candidates and disabled candidates because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children, and we strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role, and we will reimburse your travel costs if you attend an interview in person.
So, if you’re ready to step into a role with real impact as a Clinical Practice Lead, please apply via the button shown.
Clinical Practice Lead - Counselling Services employer: Family Action
Contact Detail:
Family Action Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Clinical Practice Lead - Counselling Services
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the counselling field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the organisation, understand their values, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Practise answering common interview questions, but also be ready to discuss your unique approach to clinical leadership.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring along examples of your work, such as case studies or data that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. This will help you stand out and show that you’re not just talk – you’ve got the results to back it up.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Clinical Practice Lead - Counselling Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in clinical leadership and therapy. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Family Action!
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for supporting families and individuals shine through in your application. We’re all about compassion and inclusivity, so share why you’re excited about this role and how you can contribute.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your qualifications and experiences, making it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the Clinical Practice Lead position.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this meaningful opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Family Action
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest clinical practices and theories relevant to counselling services. Brush up on safeguarding, risk management, and clinical governance frameworks, as these will likely come up during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or managed complex cases in the past. Highlight your experience in clinical supervision and how you've contributed to improving service outcomes through data and research.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity and Compassion
Family Action values inclusivity and compassion, so be ready to discuss how you embody these traits in your practice. Share stories that demonstrate your ability to create a psychologically safe environment for both clients and colleagues.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions about the organisation's vision for counselling services and how they plan to enhance their clinical standards. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.