SARC Adult Counsellor

Job summary
The post holder will provide trauma informed therapeutic counselling services to adult clients within the context of a non judgemental and confidential service and in accordance with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework.

The post holder will contribute to the development; evaluation and quality standards of the SARC counselling service.

The post holder may be required to deliver training across Greater Manchester.

The post holder will undertake specific administration duties related to the counselling services including contracting; user feedback and activity data.

The post holder will prioritise, assess, plan, evaluate and deliver all relevant aspects of care to an agreed and expected high standard.

The post holder will work closely with the multi-disciplinary team and contribute to the clinical governance process and multi-disciplinary team meetings.

Main duties of the job
As the busiest SARC in the UK, we provide an integrated service of forensic medical and therapeutic medical assessment, support and therapy services to adults and children of any gender and of any age. Our aftercare service delivers specialist sexual violence support, ISVA and therapeutic services throughout Greater Manchester.

An exciting and significant opportunity has arisen for SARC to recruit a specialist counsellor to deliver trauma focused therapy to adult clients who have experienced sexual violence. Highly motivated and resourceful you will have experience of working with clients who have experienced sexual violence and a sound knowledge of offering therapy to clients with post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression, gained ideally in a multidisciplinary or healthcare environment.

You will be familiar with managing your own caseload, ensuring you maintain a client centred, trauma informed ethos in a pressurised multidisciplinary service. You will be comfortable working independently including delivering interventions face to face and via the phone and video based platforms and willing to collaborate with your colleagues as you support one-another to deliver a high quality service.

The posts will be offered on a permanent basis for 22.5 hours a week, and will require some evening work up to 7pm.

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: 26 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum (pro rata)
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Closing date: 29 October 2026

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

Essential skills

• Ability to prioritise workload
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Excellent presentation skills
• Highly motivated
• Ability to work as part of a multi disciplinary team
• Ability to utilise counselling supervision effectively

Desirable skills

• IT/Word processing skills

Essential qualifications

• Diploma in Integrative Counselling/CBT or single model core training (eg PCA) plus post qualification training in other models

Desirable qualifications

• Qualification in trauma focused CBT or EMDR or other evidence based therapy
• Qualification in telephone counselling
• Qualification in working with adults or children with learning disability

Essential knowledge and experience

• Demonstrable experience working therapeutically with victims of sexual violence
• Demonstrable knowledge of trauma focused, evidence based interventions and experience of working with psychological trauma
• Understanding/experience of counselling research and application to practice
• In depth knowledge of issues relating to rape and sexual assault/child sexual abuse
• Understanding of and working within BACP ethical framework
• Experience of working with children and young people

Desirable knowledge and experience

• Experience of teaching/delivering training to a wide range of audiences
• Experience of assessing the needs of a wide range of children affected by sexual violence, including those displaying harmful sexual behaviour
• Experience of working therapeutically with people with learning difficulties
• Qualification in trauma focused CBT or EMDR
• Qualification and experience of delivering therapy groups.

Essential registration

• Registered member of the BACP

Desirable registration

• BACP Accreditation

Employer details
Employer name: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: St Mary's SARC, St Mary's Hospital, Peter Mount Building, Manchester, M13 0HY, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/

Contact
General Manager Nicola Kharadi-Weaver, nicola.kharadi@mft.nhs.uk, 01612766515

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 (opens in a new window).

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce. 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.