Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Saint Mary's Managed Clinical Service for a Band 6 maternity counselor to join the established Specialist maternity Counselling team.

The post holder will be working within the counselling service team across the MCS, for parents who have suffered major complications of pregnancy and delivery. In addition to the clinical service, they will also be responsible for balancing, liaison, and administrative aspects of the counselling service. The post holder must demonstrate a commitment to providing psychological and therapeutic interventions for mothers, birthing people /partners and couples on a range of complex and sensitive issues specific to pregnancy, for example (not exclusive to) traumatic birth, tokophobia (fear of labour) pregnancy loss (including termination of pregnancy for foetal/maternal conditions and stillbirth, miscarriage and neonatal loss pregnancy loss), issues surrounding surviving twins/triplets, and support with next pregnancy.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will offer face to face, virtual or telephone psychological and emotional psychological support to identified families in line with MFT Values and behaviors'.

Undertake assessments of all patients referred at any stage of pregnancy or postpartum, many of whom present with multiple and complex issues (e.g. mental health concerns, psychiatric histories and/or safeguarding concerns) in order to establish appropriateness of treatment including emotional support as and when this is required and risk assessment.

Carry a caseload of individual (in-patient and out-patient) and couple counselling, providing short, medium and longer term counselling and support as required

Deliver specialist therapeutic counselling to patients including bereavement and pregnancy loss, next pregnancy support.

The post holder is responsible and accountable for matters of professional clinical judgement. They may seek advice and guidance as required and appropriate, from liaison psychiatry or other accredited psychotherapy/clinical psychology colleagues and other healthcare specialists

About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Details
Date posted: 14 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 349-SPH-8171696-RL4
Job locations: St Marys hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.

Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

• Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
• Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.
• Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check
Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Diploma or above in counselling or psychotherapy.
• BACP accreditation or accreditation with other recognised professional counselling/psychotherapy body
• Education to degree level

Desirable

• Working towards a MSC in nursing or health related subject or equivalent experience

Training & Experience
Essential

• Significant perinatal experience in NHS, public or voluntary sector including short, medium and longer term work.
• Proven ability to work in multidisciplinary setting.
• Experience in counselling on a wide range of problems to individuals, couples and families eg anxiety, depression, bereavement, psychosexual issues, trauma, PTSD
• Experience in managing crisis orientated and trauma situations

Desirable

• Experience in Obstetrics and Neonatology.
• Training and development of doctors, midwives and nurses in psychological care of patients in Obstetrics and Neonatology and couple counselling

Attributes
Essential

• Experience in video and telephone counselling
• Understanding of the complex and sensitive psychological needs of bereaved parents
• Knowledge of the specialist psychological issues linked to pregnancy loss(stillbirth, miscarriage and neonatal death) termination of pregnancy surviving of twin/triplet
• Understanding and experience of working with the wide range of ethical, moral and cultural issues that affect individuals and couples
• Demonstrate understanding of professional issues relating to counselling / psychotherapy including NICE guidelines for mental health particularly in relation to Obstetrics and Neonatology
• Knowledge of safeguarding issues
• Ability to work autonomously whilst appreciating the role of clinical supervisor
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Record keeping and documentation
• Ability to make calm rational decisions in the face of adversity
• Able to work flexibly Treats colleagues with dignity and respect. Capacity to work with in a multidisciplinary team
• Exemplary personal standards of conduct and behaviour
• Inspires others and leads by example.
• Proven workload management of self and of others
• Proven ability to problem solve.
• Effective organisational skills Good analytical and clinical decision making skills
• Awareness of Clinical Effectiveness process

Desirable

• Group facilitation and teaching skills with staff
• Understanding of audit process and ability to present findings at senior management meeting
• Ability to cope with difficult issues and distressed parents presenting with a range of complex and sensitive issues
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Computer skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve.