Locations: Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, Southampton or St Vincent Sixth Form College, Gosport
Placement Type: Unpaid Volunteer Placement
Start Date: January 2027
Hours: One morning or afternoon per week, approximately 3.5 to 4 hours, plus 90 minutes of fortnightly supervision
Are you training to become a counsellor and looking for a supportive placement where you can develop your skills while making a real difference to young people?
We are looking for enthusiastic and compassionate Volunteer Trainee Counsellors to join our student wellbeing services at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College in Southampton and St Vincent Sixth Form College in Gosport from January 2027.
This is an excellent opportunity for trainee counsellors working towards a recognised counselling qualification to gain valuable client hours and experience within a supportive Further Education environment. Working under the guidance of our Lead Student Counsellor, you will provide confidential one-to-one counselling to students aged 14 to 19 who may be experiencing a range of emotional, personal and mental health concerns.
About the placement
You will attend your chosen college for one morning or afternoon each week during term time, typically supporting 3 to 4 clients per placement day through structured counselling sessions.
Placement availability is:
- St Vincent Sixth Form College, Gosport: Monday or Tuesday
- Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, Southampton: Wednesday or Thursday
- Plus 90 minutes of clinical supervision every fortnight, provided by the College
What you'll be doing
As a Volunteer Trainee Counsellor, you will:
- Provide confidential one-to-one counselling to college students
- Develop effective therapeutic relationships with young people
- Manage a small caseload of approximately 3 to 4 clients per week
- Maintain accurate and timely case notes and placement documentation
- Work within the BACP ethical framework and appropriate professional boundaries
- Attend regular clinical supervision
- Work closely with the Lead Student Counsellor around safeguarding, risk management and student welfare
- Follow College procedures relating to safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection and health and safety
- Attend induction, mandatory training and relevant meetings
- Contribute to placement reviews and service evaluation where required
About you
To be considered for a placement, you will need to:
- Be studying towards a recognised counselling or psychotherapy qualification at Diploma Level 4 or above
- Hold a current Fitness to Practice declaration from your training provider, or be due to receive approval by January 2027
- Be a current student member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
- Be at the stage of your training where you are approved to undertake supervised client work
- Have a good understanding of confidentiality, professional boundaries and ethical practice
- Have strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Be able to establish positive therapeutic relationships with young people aged 14 to 19
- Demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Previous experience of working with young people, or within education, youth work or mental health settings, would be an advantage but is not essential.
What we can offer you
In return for your time and commitment, we offer:
- Fortnightly clinical supervision provided by the College
- The opportunity to gain counselling hours towards your qualification requirements
- Regular guidance and support from the Lead Student Counsellor
- Experience within an established student wellbeing service
- Access to relevant safeguarding and induction training
- The opportunity to develop your therapeutic skills while supporting a diverse community of young people
Recruitment process
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a group interview and assessment during the week commencing 9 November 2026.
Successful placements will be subject to satisfactory references, confirmation of Fitness to Practice status, evidence of BACP student membership and completion of the required pre-placement checks, including an Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List clearance.
Interested?
If you are passionate about supporting young people's emotional wellbeing and are looking for a rewarding placement in which to develop your counselling skills and experience, we would love to hear from you.
When applying, please clearly state whether you are applying for a placement at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, Southampton, or St Vincent Sixth Form College, Gosport.
Placements commence from January 2027, subject to satisfactory completion of all pre-placement checks.
Please note: these are unpaid volunteer placements.
