Counsellor job at Lewes Full Time

Join Our Compassionate Team Supporting Patients and Loved Ones

Are you passionate about providing compassionate, person-centred emotional support and looking for a role where you can truly make a difference?

Our vision is a community where people live and die well, supported with dignity, respect and compassion. As a Counsellor within our Supportive Care Team, you’ll play a vital role in helping patients, families and those who have been bereaved navigate some of life’s most challenging moments.

Working both within the hospice and out in the community, you’ll deliver high-quality counselling support that addresses the emotional and psychological needs of those affected by life-limiting illness and bereavement.

Job Details

Location: St Peter & St James Hospice, BN8 4ED (including community visits)

Salary: £14.19 – £14.61 per hour (£27,738- £28,566 per annum, full-time equivalent)

Contract Type: Bank (zero hours)

Closing Date: We will be shortlisting and interviewing as applications are received, so early applications are strongly encouraged.

What you’ll be doing

As a Counsellor, you will provide specialist emotional and psychological support, working both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. Your work will be meaningful, varied and highly valued.

Deliver compassionate, person-centred counselling:

• Assess and respond to the emotional and psychological needs of patients, families, carers and the bereaved
• Provide one-to-one counselling sessions tailored to individual needs
• Offer support through complex grief, anticipatory grief and end-of- life experiences
• Ensure dignity, empathy and respect remain central to all interactions
• Provide bereavement support and group work
• Develop and facilitate bereavement support groups
• Deliver structured and informal group sessions within the hospice and community
• Support individuals at different stages of grief with sensitivity and professionalism

Work as part of a multidisciplinary team:

• Collaborate closely with clinical and supportive care colleagues
• Contribute to holistic care planning and patient support
• Manage and maintain your own caseload effectively across hospice and community settings

Maintain professional standards and safe practice:

• Assess and manage clinical risk within counselling and bereavement work
• Maintain accurate and confidential records
• Engage in supervision, reflective practice and ongoing professional development

What we’re looking for

• BACP or UKCP accredited (or equivalent recognised counselling qualification)
• Proven counselling experience, ideally within palliative care, bereavement or healthcare settings
• Ability to assess complex emotional needs using professional judgement
• Confidence managing an independent caseload
• Strong understanding of grief, loss and the complexities of bereavement work
• Excellent communication, empathy and organisational skills
• Commitment to ongoing CPD and professional development
• Experience of working with/Supporting Volunteers
• Confident in the use of technology and IT and client record systems

Why join our team?

• A welcoming, open and compassionate counselling team
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day
• Flexible part-time working
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• A supportive, multidisciplinary environment focused on high-quality, person-centred care

Please view the full job description and person specification at the bottom of the webpage.

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Phillippa Jones, Head of Supportive Care ([email protected]).