Children and Young People Psychotherapeutic CounsellorNHS

Job summary

Alliance is a leading local childrens mental health provider delivering psychological support and emotional well-being services in a range of settings.

Our Children, Young People, and Family Service provides support for childrens mental health on behalf of and in partnership with Northeast and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) Tees Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundations Trust (CAMHS) and other local organisations like Changing Futures North East (CFNE). Collectively we work together using the iThrive framework to improve mental health services and make them more accessible for children and young people in Teesside.

Our mission is to help families navigate the mental health system so they can get the right support when they need it. We want to make sure everyone gets the help they deserve for better outcomes.

Using the iThrive framework, we offer a variety of therapeutic services tailored to meet different needs.

Main duties of the job

To provide early intervention and structured therapeutic support to children, young people, and families experiencing mild to moderate emotional or mental health challenges. Working within a supportive, trauma-informed environment where the emphasis is on collaborative delivery of short-term, outcomes-based interventions, as well as contributing to consultation and partnership work in educational and community settings.

Closing date: 3 June 2026

Interviews: 12 June 2026

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Job description

Key Responsibilities

Undertake thoughtful, developmentally appropriate assessments of emotional and mental health needs, including trauma, attachment, and neurodiversity informed perspectives.

Deliver structured, time-limited therapeutic interventions individual or group for children, young people, and families, using evidence-informed approaches.

Participate in triage discussions under clinical leadership, contributing to decisions on appropriate interventions and referrals.

Support the use of routine outcome monitoring tools aligned with CYP IAPT to assess progress and inform care planning.

Contribute to regular multi-agency huddles, sharing observations to support decision-making and joined-up care.

Offer trauma-informed advice and informal guidance to education staff and carers, supporting relational and developmentally sensitive environments.

Work collaboratively with families and school staff to build shared understanding of children's emotional needs and strengthen support systems.

Contribute to the delivery of training or workshops (under the guidance of senior clinicians) where appropriate.

Maintain clear, accurate, and confidential clinical notes in line with service standards.

Participate in regular clinical supervision, reflective practice, and CPD to ensure high standards of therapeutic care and professional development.

Qualifications and Experience

Recognised qualification in counselling, psychotherapeutic counselling, or a relevant mental health discipline.

Registration or accreditation with a professional body e.g., BACP, UKCP, HCPC.

Experience working with children, young people, and families with mild to moderate mental health challenges.

Understanding of trauma-informed practice, attachment theory, child development, and neurodiversity.

Ability to provide advice and guidance to parents, carers, and frontline professionals on children's emotional well-being.

Confidence in delivering short-term therapeutic approaches e.g., person-centred, CBT-informed, DDP-informed.

Interest or experience in co-facilitating training or psychoeducation sessions, with support.

Ability to work within a supportive team structure under the guidance of senior clinicians.

Our Values in Action

Compassion: You will approach every child and family with empathy and a deep understanding of their lived experiences.

Inclusion: You will adopt a safe and welcoming space where every voice is heard and respected, regardless of background or identity.

Integrity: You will maintain transparency and honesty in your assessments, communications, and therapeutic work.

Accountability: You will take ownership of your practice and ensure that your interventions are safe, effective, and aligned with our mission.

Innovation: You will engage in reflective practice and explore creative approaches to therapy, staying responsive to emerging needs and best practices in mental health care.

Safeguarding

Responsible for safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children & young people at all times and operating within local policies and procedures.

Taking appropriate safeguarding action to protect children & young people at risk of significant harm.

To share appropriately information with parents/carers or other agencies regarding the family's wellbeing and progress keeping within the boundaries of Confidentiality and Information sharing protocols.

To take part in multi-agency meetings, including Early help , Child in Need, Child Protection meetings, care planning meetings with other health professionals and safeguarding reviews.

A professional and Ethical Service

To maintain appropriate clinical notes and records on IAPTUS and in line with Alliance policies and procedures

To undertake relevant Continuing Professional Development as required for the purposes of continued professional accreditation or registration and as identified through Alliance's professional development and Appraisal System

To undertake clinical supervision as per Alliance supervision policy and in line with the appropriate professional body.

To work within Data Protection Act 1998 and Alliance Information Governance policies and procedures

To ensure a safe and secure working environment for self and others and to act as necessary within Health and Safety and other guidelines.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

To take responsibility for health, safety, and wellbeing in accordance with Alliance's policies and procedures.

Equality and diversity

To promote a society that gives everyone an equal chance to work and live free from discrimination and prejudice.

Confidentiality

To work in a way that does not divulge personal and/or confidential information and follow Alliances policies and procedures in relation to data protection and security of information.

Performance Management

To promote a culture whereby performance management is ingrained, and the highest standards and performance are achieved by all. Ensure that mandatory training commitments are met and that the postholder keeps up to date with Alliance's policies and procedures. Contribute to Alliances Appraisal processes to ensure continuous learning and improvement and to increase organisational performance.

This job description is designed to identify principal responsibilities only. The post holder is required to be flexible in developing the role in accordance with changes in Alliances organisational objectives and priorities.

About us

This is a great time to join Alliance, where our team is leading on the transformation of local children's mental health and wellbeing services.

You will share our service vision and organisation values for understanding and meeting the different needs of others. We are a strong well-established team who are supportive and friendly.

Alliance offers first rate training and development opportunities, 38 days annual leave pro rata, rising 1 day every 5 years of service (as well as the option to purchase additional annual leave) EAP health scheme including costs towards eye tests/glasses, dental treatment, physio treatment and shopping discounts alongside a 3% contributory pension scheme. We also offer lots of health and wellbeing initiatives for our staff and promote flexible working for a positive work life balance.

We are committed to promoting equal opportunities in our employment practice and service delivery. We are signatories to the Mindful Employers Charter. Alliance also has Investors in People status and the Better Health at Work Award. We are Disability Confident Committed.

We follow safer recruitment of staff for all appointments. It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each persons individual responsibility and are committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of clients. Please note that due to the nature of the duties of these roles, an enhanced criminal records disclosure will be sought in the event of a successful application.