Closing date: 02 November 2026

Job summary
14 Arches, Staff Psychology and Counselling, is a psychology led service, which delivers specialist psychological support to NHFT colleagues. The team currently consists of two part-time Principal Psychologists, who are the Joint Service Leads; Senior Psychologists and Counsellors.

You would be joining the 14 Arches team at an exciting time of service expansion, in order to meet the needs of a growing NHFT workforce. We are recruiting additional Band 6 Counsellors to join the team. The role comprises working directly with individuals and groups, providing training and supporting the development of the service. This will include offering short-term counselling to individual staff around a concern which is impacting them at work. It may also involve facilitating group sessions for staff related to psychological wellbeing as well as presenting about the service and providing training sessions relevant to staff wellbeing.

The post will be line managed by one of the Joint Service Leads. Regular clinical supervision will be provided by either a Senior or Principal Psychologist within the service. We also hold regular reflective practice sessions within the team and encourage engagement with a Community of Practice for counsellors working in NHS settings.

Main duties of the job
The postholder will be expected to:

• Deliver short term counselling interventions to NHS staff for a range of presenting issues
• Contribute to the development and delivery of psychologically informed groups to promote staff wellbeing
• Provide initial assessment of clients presenting with multiple and complex issues; select appropriate therapeutic interventions, make decisions regarding referrals to specialist services and facilitate these as needed.
• Undertake safety assessments/formulations and development of safety plans for individual clients.
• Manage safeguarding concerns and share information to ensure safeguarding in accordance with local and national policy.
• Deliver service presentations, teaching/training sessions according to service need
• Contribute to service evaluation, audit and research
• Attend and contribute to team meetings
• Contribute to service development, identify areas for improvement and propose changes to service delivery and working practices.
• Provide induction and in-service training to pre-registration counsellors and trainees.

Please note this is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities of the post. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties as may reasonably be required commensurate with the grade and/or hours of work at the post holders initial place of work or at any other of the Trust's establishments.

About us
Joining this service can offer:

• Regular supervision from one of the psychologists in the service
• Monthly reflective practice within the team
• Opportunity to work within a well established and integrated Psychological Professions Network, which provides access to regular CPD meetings, organisational support and opportunities to connect with psychological professionals working across the Trust.

NHFT is an NHS Community and Mental Health Foundation Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in hospital settings and in the community. We provide over 200 services across the county - as well as some specialist services in bordering and nearby counties. We work together with our partners to ensure that everyone who comes through our doors receives compassionate, person-centred care, regardless of their background or circumstances.

NHFT promotes a culture of learning, to improve the care and safety of our patients and colleagues. We have achieved our 'outstanding' rating by encouraging opportunity, innovation, development and growth across our workforce.

At NHFT we believe that work should be rewarded in every sense which is why we are proud to an accredited living wage employer.

We aim to support financial wellbeing and create an environment where are people feel valued and able to thrive.

Details
Date posted: 16 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 270-TH330-MH-A

Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job description/person specification under the Supporting documents section, for full details of the role.

We also welcome enquiries from applicants about the role, if you would like to discuss this opportunity please contact the Joint Service Leads; Dr Marianne Welford, (marianne.welford@nhft.nhs.uk) or Dr Anna Richards, (anna.richards@nhft.nhs.uk) to arrange a time.

Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• Counselling qualification and experience aligned with SCoPEd Column B or C & Accreditation with a Counselling Body identified in the SCoPED framework
• Knowledge and experience of a range of counselling approaches
• Experience delivering counselling interventions to adults, with a range of presentations

Desirable

• Training and/or experience in providing supervision
• Knowledge and/or experience of working with clients from diverse backgrounds
• Experience working within NHS and/or mental health settings
• Experience of providing group-based interventions
• Experience in teaching/training
• Experience working with complexity and a range of clinical severity

Behaviours & Values
Essential

• A clear interest in and commitment to working in psychological wellbeing for NHS staff
• Demonstrate qualities of openness, honesty, compassion and empathy
• Actively promote equality, diversity and inclusion in practice

Desirable

• A commitment to showing leadership, motivating and inspiring the team
• Enthusiasm to collaborate with the workforce to try to engage and encourage people to access the service for their own well-being, especially around people who do not typically access support.

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Address: Lotus House, Victoria Street, Northampton, NN1 3NR, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact:
Joint Service Leads/Principal Psychologists: Dr Marianne Welford or Dr Anna Richards, Anna.richards@nhft.nhs.uk