Student counsellors
Thank you for considering our agency for your clinical placement. We recruit at different points throughout the year dependent on placement availability for student counsellors looking to work with adults (18+). We post on our website and via other organisations and training establishments email networks to advise that we are recruiting.
If you contact us outside of these periods we will ask you to reapply when our application process opens. If you are seeking to work with children or young people please email us separately.
Placement requirements
We recommend that you consider us as a second placement, due to the complexity of client presentations and work suitable for students
We accept applications only from students who are in their second year of qualification training. Third year of training for those applying from Chrysalis
Our expectation is that students should have at least 50 counselling hours experience at the point of application or other evidence of significant experience in other mental health roles.
As we are a BACP registered organisation we are orientated towards supporting only those students who are on BACP accredited courses or those courses recognised by other established counselling and psychotherapy bodies such as the NCS, UKCP, the BPS and UKATA.
As an agency we require our students to be in personal therapy for the duration of their placement with us.
Length of placement
As we are an agency that specialises in long-term client work we ask you for a commitment to remain with us for a minimum of 18 months (with a 12 week notice period) even if this extends beyond your likely qualification date.
We have a probationary period of four months for your clinical placement. You will meet with both your supervisor and the clinical management team within this period to ensure that you are progressing as expected and receiving the support that you need.
Client work
You must have the ability to see up to three clients a week voluntarily. To give yourself the best chance of getting the experience and clinical hours you need it helps if you can be flexible.
We permit recording of client sessions with the client’s permission and with appropriate reflection on the client’s presentation beforehand in our supervision.
Supervision
It is your responsibility to ensure that our fortnightly supervision arrangements meet the requirements of your training course. We will consider requests for additional external theoretical supervision but the clinical responsibility remains with HCCG.
We expect you to be able to make arrangements wherever possible to fit in with our supervision timetable. We require 85% attendance at supervision during the year.
We ask you to meet and sit in your supervision group for a suitable period prior to beginning client work.
As a student counsellor you would receive from us:
- Suitably assessed clients for you to work with on a timely basis to help you gain your hours
- A review process where we check in with you at designated points and support you
- Free fortnightly supervision with an appropriately qualified supervisor at Alphacom House
- Free insurance cover whilst you volunteer for the Group
- Induction processes and support from the Clinical Placement Manager
- Involvement in team meetings and CPD opportunities
- The opportunity to practice with a wide range of presenting issues
- The opportunity to engage with a motivated, friendly and experienced counselling team who are dedicated to continuing to offer support to local residents
- If you are not in possession of an Enhanced DRB check we will carry this out for you (but you will be expected to contribute 50% towards the cost).
How to apply?
You need to complete and return our Student Application form which will be made available when recruitment is open.