COUNSELLOR AND WELLBEING ADVISER Full Time

Student Services supports students at each stage of their journey from pre-entry to post exit. The service has a student orientated culture and puts students’ needs at the heart of everything it does.

The Counselling and Wellbeing Advisor plays a key role in supporting and promoting student mental health through individual and group counselling, workshops and drop-in services. Collaborating with the Colleges support services, you will ensure a holistic approach to wellbeing. Responsibilities include maintaining confidential records, adhering to safeguarding policies and continuous professional development.

You will hold a minimum Level 4 Diploma or foundation degree in Counselling, supported by evidence of CPD, demonstrating the knowledge and skills required to work safely and ethically with children and young people, or alternatively a Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People (CYP). You will have a minimum of 200 hours of counselling practice, including at least 50 hours of experience working with children and young people aged 4–18 where your core training is adult-focused.

You will be a registered member of a recognised professional body such as the BACP, UKCP, or NCPS, and have experience of delivering both individual and group counselling sessions. You will have worked with clients presenting with complex and multiple issues, including mental health difficulties, and be able to demonstrate experience of working with young people in educational settings or other relevant environments such as CAMHS or NHS services.

You will be trained in psychotherapeutic approaches appropriate for short-term, collaborative counselling and have experience of undertaking risk assessments and crisis interventions for clients experiencing complex mental health needs. You will also be confident in assessing client suitability for counselling services and making appropriate referrals to GPs and external agencies where required. A strong understanding of safeguarding procedures is essential, along with the ability to manage a counselling caseload effectively, balancing clinical sessions with administrative responsibilities. You will be able to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team and demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills when engaging with students, parents, and staff.

Closing date for the return of a complete online application is 28th April 2026.

The benefits package includes generous annual leave of 27 days plus up to 8 additional days over Christmas/New Year as well as an additional 5 days Wellbeing leave to enhance employees’ physical and mental health. There is an excellent pension scheme that receives a significant financial contribution from the employer (Teachers Pensions or Local Government Pension Scheme), subsidised sports facilities and professional development and training plus a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. The benefits package is pro rated for part time staff.

As part of our due diligence checks on prospective employees, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, an online search and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

As outlined in the Public Sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

The South Thames Colleges Group is made up of Carshalton College, Kingston College, Merton College and South Thames College, which merged on 1 August 2017. South Thames Colleges Group is one of London’s largest providers of post-16 education and training and is an ongoing and significant contributor to its local communities. We aim to put students’ success at the heart of everything we do.

We are looking for hard-working and collaborative people who can join our team and help challenge our students to achieve and progress.

When you click on ‘Apply’, you will be forwarded to the application page which sits on a platform hosted by an external partner called Blue Octopus who support STCG throughout the recruitment process.