At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide compassionate support to bereaved individuals and manage a team of volunteers.
- Company: Join St Margaret’s Hospice, a community-focused charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, NHS pension continuation, and excellent learning opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in people's lives while developing your counselling skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in therapeutic support and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 22538 - 23403 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced counsellor or psychotherapist to provide specialist assessment and support to bereaved individuals, including those with more complex needs, identifying and responding appropriately to risk and safeguarding concerns. This role will have accountability for the day-to-day management of service referrals, caseloads and delivery of bereavement support. An important part of the role will be managing and developing our bereavement support volunteer team, ensuring volunteers and counselling students are recruited, inducted, supported and supervised to provide high-quality, safe and compassionate support.
Role Details
- Salary: £19,225.38 - £23,403.04 per annum
- Agenda for Change equivalent: Band 5
- Working pattern: Part time 22.5 hours a week, worked Monday to Wednesday
- Contract: Permanent
This cross-county role will be based across our Taunton and Yeovil hospice sites, with regular travel across Somerset as part of the role.
What can you expect to be doing?
- Assessing complex bereavement needs and developing appropriate, person-centred plans of support.
- Managing and prioritising referrals and caseloads effectively.
- Supporting people experiencing grief and loss with compassion, sensitivity and appropriate professional boundaries.
- Leading, supporting and supervising Bereavement Support Volunteers and counselling students on placement.
- Supporting the recruitment, induction, development and retention of bereavement volunteers.
- Working collaboratively with hospice multidisciplinary teams and external health, social care and community services.
- Recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding and other areas of risk.
- Monitoring service quality and outcomes through data, audit and the experiences of people accessing support.
- Developing and reviewing bereavement policies, procedures and operational guidance.
- Providing training and education to staff, volunteers and other professionals.
- Contributing to service reports and the continued development of high-quality, equitable bereavement support across the county.
- Representing St Margaret’s Hospice within local and national bereavement networks.
What We’re Looking For
- Experience of providing therapeutic, counselling or specialist bereavement support.
- The ability to assess complex needs and identify and manage risk appropriately.
- A strong understanding of professional boundaries, safeguarding and confidentiality.
- Experience of supporting, supervising and developing others, ideally including volunteers or students.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- The confidence to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary and organisational boundaries.
- An evidence-based approach to practice and a commitment to continuing professional development.
- An interest in service improvement, evaluation and demonstrating outcomes.
- A commitment to equality, diversity and ensuring equitable access to support.
- The resilience, reflective practice and self-awareness required to work effectively within bereavement care.
Our Values
At St Margaret’s Hospice, our values guide everything we do. We are:
- Compassionate: Kindness and care for everyone, every day
- Collaborative: One team, working together for one goal
- Ambitious: Striving for better, now and into the future.
Inclusive recruitment
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. If your experience broadly matches the role and you’re motivated to make a difference, we encourage you to apply.
Why join St Margaret’s Hospice?
You won’t just be joining a fantastic team -- you’ll become part of a welcoming, community-minded charity making a real difference every day. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment alongside a range of benefits including:
- Holiday entitlement: 33 days including bank holidays, rising to 35 days after 1 year, and increasing with length of service (pro-rata if part-time)
- For Band 5 clinical roles, annual leave entitlement may include reckonable service from previous clinical roles at Band 5 or above, where joining us directly from the NHS or another hospice.
- Ability to buy and sell annual leave
- Pension scheme: NHS pension continuation where applicable
- 6% employer / 5% employee contribution for non-NHS staff
- Additional Benefits
- Life assurance cover (2x salary)
- Health Cash Plans
- Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access, counselling, wellbeing support, and legal/financial advice
- Blue Light Discount Card
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Excellent learning and development opportunities
- Free on-site parking in Yeovil and Taunton
- Opportunities to volunteer and support fundraising initiatives
Want to Apply or Find Out More?
If you would like to get to know our team or have an informal chat before applying, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Amanda Simpson, Associate Director Clinical Services – Outpatients and Therapies, at amanda.simpson@st-margarets-hospice.org.uk or telephone 01823 333822.
We are currently managing the recruitment process in-house and kindly ask that recruitment agencies refrain from contacting us with candidates for this role. If you have all the information you need, just click apply. We can't wait to hear from you!
Closing date: 16/11/2026
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.
Safer Recruitment
St Margaret's Hospice are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of those who use our services. As part of our safer recruitment processes, all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks relevant to the role. These may include verification of identity, right to work, references, qualifications, DBS, and other regulatory, fraud prevention, and compliance checks.
The Disclosure and Barring Service offers a confidential checking service for transgender applicants. This route gives applicants the choice not to have any gender or name information disclosed on their DBS certificate and is available for all levels of DBS check.
Bereavement Services Coordinator (Counsellor) in Taunton employer: St Margaret's Hospice Care
At St Margaret’s Hospice, we pride ourselves on being a compassionate and collaborative employer, dedicated to creating a supportive environment for our staff. As a Maintenance Assistant in Taunton, you will not only enjoy generous benefits such as 33 days of holiday and a robust pension scheme but also have the opportunity for personal growth through on-the-job training and development. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the lives of our patients and community while working alongside a friendly team that values inclusivity and ambition.
Contact Details:
St Margaret's Hospice Care Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bereavement Services Coordinator (Counsellor) in Taunton
✨Get Involved in Local Mental Health Initiatives
Join local mental health organisations and initiatives to immerse yourself in the community. Volunteering at workshops or support groups can not only boost your experience but also help you make valuable connections that might lead to part-time roles. It’s all about getting your name out there!
✨Attend Networking Events and Workshops
Keep an eye on workshops and networking events specifically for therapy and counselling professionals. These gatherings are prime opportunities to meet potential employers, hear about job openings, and engage in meaningful conversations with industry peers. Who knows who you might bump into!
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a professional online presence highlighting your counselling approach and experiences. Consider starting a blog or sharing insights on social media about therapy methods. This can attract attention from local companies like St Margaret's Hospice Care who are looking for someone like you for their part-time needs.
✨Directly Approach Local Clinics
Don't be shy about reaching out directly to clinics or counselling practices in your area. Many part-time roles are filled without ever being advertised. A friendly email introducing yourself and expressing interest in potential opportunities at St Margaret's Hospice Care can sometimes lead to the job you’ve been dreaming of!
We think you need these skills to ace Bereavement Services Coordinator (Counsellor) in Taunton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Compassionate Side:In the therapy and counselling professions, it's crucial to convey your empathy and understanding in your application. Your CV should highlight any relevant volunteer work or experience in helping roles. Let’s face it, potential employers want to see that you can connect with clients, so showcase those soft skills front and centre!
Include Your Credentials:For a part-time role in therapy or counselling, it’s essential to demonstrate your qualifications. Make sure to include any degrees, certifications, or workshops that are relevant to the position. If you’ve completed specific training in mental health or counselling techniques, don’t skip those; they can set you apart from others.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Your cover letter is the perfect place to express your interest in working part-time and highlight your passion for helping others. Talk about why you’re drawn to St Margaret's Hospice Care and how the part-time role fits into your career path. We're looking for a genuine connection, so let your personality shine through!
Availability Matters:Since this is a part-time role, clearly outline your availability in your application. Be honest about the hours you can commit, and consider mentioning if you have any flexibility. This helps St Margaret's Hospice Care see how you can fit into their schedule and be a valuable addition to the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Margaret's Hospice Care
✨Know Your Theoretical Frameworks
It's crucial for us to brush up on the therapy techniques and theoretical frameworks relevant to this field. Be prepared to discuss how you apply them in practice—think about specific case studies from your training that highlight your approach. This not only shows your understanding but also helps you connect with your potential clients at St Margaret's Hospice Care.
✨Practice Your Active Listening Skills
Since we're diving into therapy and counselling, active listening is our bread and butter. You might face role-play scenarios during the interview, so make sure to showcase your ability to listen and respond empathetically. Demonstrating this skill can make all the difference in how we're perceived as future therapists.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility With Clients
In a part-time role, we often deal with a diverse client base, so it’s important to showcase our adaptability. Be ready to discuss how you can tailor your therapeutic approach to fit different client needs. Sharing any past experiences—whether from internships or coursework—will provide great insights to St Margaret's Hospice Care about your versatility.
✨Prepare Your Questions on Working with Diverse Populations
Part-time roles can sometimes mean working with a variety of clients from different backgrounds. Think of specific questions to ask about how St Margaret's Hospice Care supports inclusivity and handles diverse cases. This not only highlights your interest but also shows that you’ve thought ahead about client dynamics and your role within them.
