Internal Applicants Only - Counsellor presso Cardiff University

This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only.  Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.

Internal Applicants Only - Counsellor

We are seeking a qualified and registered therapist to work within our student counselling team at Cardiff University. Successful applicants will provide professional counselling therapy for those who are experiencing psychological and mental health issues during their time at University. Ideally you will have knowledge and experience of working within a trauma-informed and brief therapy approach.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
The Cardiff University Counselling Service is committed to creating an inclusive staff and student experience for all. Regardless of race, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or if you are caring/parenting others, we firmly believe that our work is at its best when everyone feels free to be their most authentic self.  The Cardiff University Counselling Service is aware that the current Counselling Team does not yet fully reflect the diversity within the student population.  So, we are, at this time, seeking to particularly welcome applications from an ethnically minoritised background and/or who identify as male. 

Cardiff University has a vibrant and diverse community located within the beautiful and thriving capital city of Wales.  It has strong links to the local community, supporting and delivering impactful community led projects with underrepresented groups.   The University’s Strategic Equality Plan is focused on its commitment to the local community as well as students and staff.  The University has many thriving staff networks that you would be welcome to join, including a Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Staff Network, Enfys (for LGBT+ staff), Disability Staff Network, Neurodiversity and Inclusivity Staff Network, International Staff Network, Race Equality Steering Group, Rhwydaith (Welsh Language Staff Network) and Widening Participation Staff Network.  At the start of 2023 The Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Hub was set up to embed equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism at all levels of the university. 

You will be working with students who have come here from Cardiff and across the world and are seeking support from services that understand the cultural, practical and emotional challenges of studying and living abroad and strive to understand their worldview and the unique challenges and demands of studying abroad. With 7,530 international students from more than 138 countries, International students represent almost 20% of the student population. 

We know that men are still less likely than women to seek counselling and the counselling and wellbeing teams are actively engaged in addressing this imbalance.  We are seeing more students who identify as neurodivergent and/or trans?.  We are also increasingly supporting students with experiences of trauma and pre-diagnosed mental health conditions, accessing study at university level and, seeking support to meet their goal of achieving a degree. We would welcome applications from those with experience of these issues.

In developing ways to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population, the Counselling Team work in an environment that encourages creativity, innovation and the exchange of learning and ideas within the team, and from other universities.

The post is full time (35 hours per week) and fixed-term for 6 months.
Salary: £41,064 - £ 46,049 per annum (Grade 6)

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 37 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), pro rata for part time staff, local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments up the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

Closing date: 15 September 2025

External applications are currently not being considered for this post.  If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

46,049

Grade 6

41,064

Management & Executive

Managerial, Professional and Specialist Staff – MPSS

Essential Criteria  
 

1. BACP, UKCP, NCPS, UKCP, or equivalent, accredited or registered counsellor.
    
2. Diploma in therapeutic counselling, level 4 or higher. 

 
Knowledge, Skills and Experience  
 

3. Evidence of experience of delivering individual clinical work for a range of psychological problems within the scope of a brief counselling model, within an organisational setting as a counsellor and as part of a team. 
    
4. Knowledge and experience of working with young adults within a multi-cultural and diverse setting. 

 
Customer Service, Communication and Team Working  
 

5. Evidence of excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate conceptuality detailed and complex information effectively and professionally with a wide range of people.
    
6. Evidence of ability to explore clients' needs and apply research informed knowledge to adapt the service accordingly and ensure a quality service is delivered. 
    
7. Experience and active interest in working within a multi-disciplinary team. Proven ability to develop networks in order to contribute to long term developments. 

 
Planning, Analysis and Problem solving  
 

8. Evidence of a flexible approach with excellent planning and organisational skills to proactively identify and solve service wide problems or gaps in provision, using initiative and creativity. Identifying and proposing practical solutions and resolving problems with a range of potential outcomes.
    
9. Evidence of ability to work unsupervised to deadlines, planning and setting priorities for your own work and monitoring progress.  
    
10. Evidence of demonstrable knowledge of key advances within specialist discipline including familiarity with Solution Focused Brief Therapy, single session and/or the "Cardiff Model", and delivery of remote or online therapy.  

Desirable Criteria

1. Experience of working in a large, complex organisation, such as Education, Health, public sector.
    
2. Experience of working with young adults in a higher education setting, with the ability to understand the complex issues they face, including experience of working within a Trauma-informed approach.
3. Experience of delivering psychoeducational workshops and groups.  
    
4. Can read, write or understand at least basic Welsh or has a willingness to learn.