Children and Young People Counsellor

Salary: £31,055.53 (pro rata) Hours: 18.5/22.5 hours per week. Hours are negotiable but the minimum would be 18.5. Location: Worcestershire, the post holder may be required to support clients in Herefordshire and must be able to travel independently throughout both counties.

West Mercia Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre (WMRSASC) is seeking compassionate and experienced part-time Children and Young People Counsellors to join our well-established and highly supportive counselling team. In this vital role, you will provide face-to-face therapeutic counselling to children and young people aged 5 to 18 who have been affected by sexual violence, abuse and/or rape. Working within a trauma-informed, survivor-centred framework, you will help young people feel heard, supported and empowered as they move towards recovery.

You will join a skilled multidisciplinary team that places clinical quality, safeguarding, reflection and staff wellbeing at the heart of everything we do, with access to regular supervision, accredited training and ongoing professional development.

• Provide high-quality, trauma-informed one-to-one counselling to children and young people aged 5–18 who have experienced sexual abuse and/or rape.
• Complete and maintain initial assessments, risk assessments and risk management plans, reviewing these on an ongoing basis as required.
• Maintain accurate, timely and ethical clinical records in line with legal, safeguarding and organisational requirements, including pre-trial therapy guidance.
• Ensure that children and young people understand the counselling service and are able to give informed consent, applying Fraser Guidelines where appropriate.
• Support safe and effective professional practice through regular clinical and case supervision and ongoing CPD, in line with BACP requirements.
• Maintain professional membership and appropriate insurance, practising in accordance with the Ethical Framework of the relevant professional body.
• Engage in ongoing CPD and professional development, keeping abreast of best practice and emerging issues relating to sexual violence, abuse and trauma.
• Contribute positively to a safe, professional and accessible counselling service, working collaboratively with the Counselling Team, volunteers and service managers.
• Liaise appropriately with other professionals and agencies where required, maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries at all times.
• Support the service’s monitoring and evaluation processes, including outcomes and feedback, to ensure quality, accountability and sustainability.
• Uphold the rights of the child, promoting autonomy, choice and participation within the counselling process while maintaining appropriate safeguarding boundaries.
• Actively promote equality, diversity and anti-oppressive practice, ensuring inclusive and respectful support for all service users.

WMRSASC is committed to supporting and valuing its staff. We offer:

• Salary: £31,055.53 (pro rata)
• Hybrid and flexible working
• 26 days annual leave plus 8 statutory holidays (pro rata), increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Benenden Health Scheme
• Accredited training and career development opportunities
• Regular management supervision and support

WMRSASC is committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Relevant background checks and Disclosure and Barring Service checks will be required.

As an equal opportunities employer, WMRSASC is committed to ensuring the fair and equal treatment of all current and prospective employees. We do not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join WMRSASC.

This is an opportunity to join a specialist organisation making a meaningful difference to the lives of survivors and communities. We welcome applications from individuals who share our values and are committed to delivering high-quality, trauma-informed practice.

The closing date for this position is 1st June 2026.