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- Tasks: Lead and manage a self-pay counselling service, ensuring client satisfaction and financial sustainability.
- Company: Join Solent Mind, a leading mental health charity dedicated to supporting the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and innovation in mental health services.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in counselling or psychotherapy and proven management experience required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Service Manager - Counselling Services is responsible for managing the self-pay counselling service, ensuring the service is financially sustainable, client-focused, and aligned with Solent Mind's vision and values.
Service Leadership & Development
- Implement the service plan, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy.
- Lead service improvement initiatives, embedding innovation and continuous development.
- Represent Solent Mind externally, building partnerships and promoting the service.
- Work with the Counselling Service Clinical Lead to ensure integration of clinical governance into operational delivery.
- Build external partnerships with colleges, commissioners, funders, and community organisations to expand reach and impact.
Operational Management
- Oversee day-to-day running of the service, including referral pathways, client journey, allocation of cases and scheduling.
- Work with marketing colleagues to promote the service and grow referrals.
- Manage counsellors, trainees, and associates, ensuring effective induction, supervision, and CPD.
- Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and professional frameworks (BACP, NICE).
- Ensure the maintenance of accurate records and reporting systems, including case management software (Zanda).
- Monitor service performance, outcomes, and client satisfaction, reporting to senior leadership and stakeholders.
Financial & Sustainability
- Monitor budgets, income, and expenditure for the self-pay service.
- Contribute to pricing strategies, marketing, and business development.
- Identify funding opportunities and support grant applications or partnership bids.
- Act as safeguarding lead for the service alongside the Counselling Service Clinical Lead, ensuring compliance with policies.
- Monitor incidents, risks, and complaints, ensuring timely resolution and learning.
- Ensure service delivery meets quality assurance standards and external benchmarks.
People & Culture
- Provide line management, supervision, and support to Associate Counsellors and Trainees.
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and resilient team culture.
- Promote wellbeing and reflective practice across the service.
General
- Adhere to the aims, values, policies and procedures of Solent Mind, particularly safeguarding and health & safety.
- This list is non exhaustive and other duties may be required to meet the needs of Solent Mind.
Qualifications and Experience
- Degree-level qualification in counselling or psychotherapy, or equivalent experience.
- Evidence of CPD in leadership, management, or service development.
- BACP/UKCP membership or equivalent.
- Safeguarding training (Level 3+).
- Management qualification (e.g., ILM, CMI).
- Proven experience in managing a medium to large scale self-pay counselling or mental health service.
- Experience of service development, strategic planning, and partnership working.
- Experience of financial management, budgets, and sustainability models.
- Experience of staff supervision, recruitment, and CPD frameworks.
- Experience of outcome measurement tools (CORE, PHQ-9, GAD-7).
- Experience of working with commissioners, funders, and external stakeholders.
- Strong leadership and management skills.
- Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
- Ability to balance operational delivery with strategic development.
- Competence in digital systems and case management software.
- Financial literacy and business awareness.
- Marketing and business development skills.
- Knowledge of NICE guidelines, regulatory and quality assurance frameworks.
- Commitment to Solent Mind's values and policies.
- Willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS check.
- Inclusive, collaborative, and resilient leadership style.
- Professional integrity and accountability.
- Flexible and adaptable to service growth and change.
- Innovative mindset, open to new models of counselling provision.
Service Manager - Counselling Services in Southampton employer: Solent Mind
Contact Detail:
Solent Mind Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Counselling Services in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the counselling and mental health field. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential partners or colleagues. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, highlight your experience in managing counselling services and your knack for building partnerships. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've made a positive impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to organisations like Solent Mind and express your interest in working with them. Sometimes, they might have opportunities that aren’t advertised yet!
✨Tip Number 4
Keep it real! During interviews, be authentic and let your passion for counselling shine through. Talk about your commitment to client-focused service and how you align with Solent Mind's values. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly fits the culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager - Counselling Services in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Service Manager - Counselling Services. We want to see how you can bring our values to life in your application!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves managing a team and leading service improvements, be sure to include examples of your leadership experience. We love to see how you've fostered a positive culture and driven change in previous roles.
Highlight Financial Acumen: As financial sustainability is key for this position, don’t forget to mention your experience with budgets and financial management. We’re looking for someone who can keep our services thriving while ensuring they are client-focused.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Solent Mind
✨Know the Service Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand Solent Mind's vision and values, as well as the specifics of the self-pay counselling service. Familiarise yourself with their service plan and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you demonstrate your commitment and fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Service Manager, you'll need to lead and inspire a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on your approach to supervision, support, and fostering a positive culture. Highlight any innovative initiatives you've implemented that improved service delivery or team dynamics.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Financial Management
Since financial sustainability is key for this role, brush up on your experience with budgets and funding opportunities. Be prepared to discuss how you've previously monitored income and expenditure, contributed to pricing strategies, or identified funding sources. This will show your understanding of the financial aspects of managing a counselling service.
✨Prepare Questions About Partnerships
Building external partnerships is crucial for expanding the service's reach. Think of insightful questions to ask about their current partnerships and how they envision future collaborations. This not only shows your interest in the role but also your proactive approach to service development and community engagement.