Accredited Counsellor London

Accredited Counsellor (1905)

Location: Base locations in Sidcup and Lambeth, however further travel within London is required on a need must basis.

Hours: Full Time or Part Time. Monday – Friday. Minimum of 3 days per week. 9am-5pm

Right to live & work within the UK is required for this role. (This role requires high level security clearance)

About Us

Optima Health is the UK's largest provider of Occupational Health and wellbeing services, supporting organisations across both the public and private sectors.

With a heritage dating back to 1947, we have been helping employers create healthier, high‑performing workplaces for generations, and we continue to evolve with innovative, practical solutions that make a real difference.

At the heart of our story are our people.

We bring together like‑minded professionals who are passionate about improving workplace health and wellbeing and delivering meaningful support to the organisations we work with across the UK.

When you join Optima Health, you become part of something bigger.

We invest in our people/you through structured induction, ongoing training and tailored career development, helping you build the skills and experience to grow your career.

• Together, we live our values
• One Team – There are no barriers in our business.

We trust each other and work together as one team to deliver what our clients need.

We all have a part to play in our future, and everyone's contribution is important and valued.

• Doing the Right Thing – We operate to the highest standards.

Success is underpinned by honesty and integrity, and by doing what we say we will do.

We care about the impact of our work on our people, our clients, their employees, society, and the world we live in.

Caring for our colleagues' wellbeing and respecting their time, energy and balance is fundamental to this value.

• Shaping Tomorrow – We are always looking for ways to improve and innovate.

We train, support and empower future leaders, invest in market‑leading propositions and use technology to advance service and clinical outcomes.

We evolve how we work - embracing smarter, more flexible approaches that help our people thrive both professionally and personally.

• Never Too Big to Care – We always retain a client‑first approach.

Every client, and every one of their employees that we support, matters.

We work in partnership to optimise workplace health and wellbeing, sharing in the benefits of growing together.

Role Summary

As part of our ongoing recruitment drive, we are currently recruiting for Accredited Counsellors to join our team working with the MET Police.

You will provide a confidential counselling and related proactive functions to staff and officers within the context of a multi‑specialist occupational health team.

You will adhere to the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Framework of Ethical Practice and MPS policies and processes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct weekly psychological screening appointments with clients with individuals in vulnerable roles.
• Facilitate support groups with officers & staff, focused on various mental health topics, such as bereavement, substance misuse etc.
• Provide crisis counselling based on case‑by‑case need as specified by the Clinical Lead.
• Deliver trauma interventions, including major and critical incidents as reported within Optima and MPS policy.
• Manage own caseload, delivering short‑term (up to 6 sessions) of counselling for clients with personal or work‑related issues, who are off sick or at work, with a goal of returning staff back to recuperative/full duties.
• Intermittent, longer‑term, on‑going support to suspended officers.
• Advise/support managers about counselling services and manage a duty mailbox for urgent assessment of clients.
• Conduct psychological risk assessment for referrals received from managers and other wider occupational health departments and act according to MPS risk management protocol.
• Offer practical problem‑solving guidance and signpost to other external agencies or internal multi‑specialist occupational health team, which may include delivering presentations.
• Assess officers' needs, plan effectively, monitor and evaluate interventions using evidence‑based practice applied to individual needs.
• Any additional duties to support the duty team.

Experience, Skills, and Knowledge Required for the Role

• BACP Accreditation is essential (or equivalent). Equivalent accreditations can be BABCP, BPS, COSCA, IACP, NCPS, UKCP.
• Experience in substance misuse would be advantageous.
• Evidence of completion of psychological risk assessment and ability to work autonomously.
• Experience delivering a brief counselling model.
• Understanding of the use of IAPT measurement forms.
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical governance and risk management.
• At least 3 years' experience of working in a counselling service, occupational health or related service offering short‑term solution‑focused therapy.
• CBT trained practitioners desirable but not essential.
• Experience delivering trauma‑focused counselling.

What Can We Offer You?

• 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Pension Scheme
• Health Cash Plan
• Volunteer Days
• Yu Life Employee Benefits Platform
• Save As You Earn Scheme
• Eye Test Vouchers
• Flu Vaccination Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Clinical Training Academy
• Paid CPD Days
• Professional Registration Fees Paid
• RAVE Awards
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Right to Request Flexible Working From Day 1

Optima Health is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

All applicants meeting the minimum criteria for the role will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, gender or gender expression, disability, race or ethnicity, religion or belief or sexual orientation.

• All salaries are displayed as Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
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