About Stepping Stones North Wales

Stepping Stones North Wales is a specialist charity providing free trauma-informed counselling and therapeutic support services to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse across the six counties of North Wales. We work from a trauma-informed, survivor-centred approach and are committed to creating safe, inclusive and empowering services. Our work is underpinned by compassion, integrity, and a strong commitment to equality and social justice. All of our services are available in both Welsh and English.

Purpose of the Role

The Deputy Clinical Counselling Lead supports the delivery of high‑quality counselling and support services and contributes to the effective management, coordination, and development of the counselling team. Working closely with the Clinical Counselling Lead, the Deputy helps review, monitor, and enhance counselling and support services.

The role also provides delegated support with safeguarding responsibilities and contributes to the development of organisational policies, procedures, and strategic objectives as part of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

Key Responsibilities

External Focus

• Support partnership working with external agencies such as BACP, The Survivors Trust, Male Survivors Partnership, Welsh Women’s Aid, HMP Berwyn etc. acting as a secondary point of contact.

• Assist in maintaining and developing relationships with referral agencies to strengthen existing partnerships and explore new opportunities.

Stakeholder Engagement Internal Focus

• Support oversight of clinical work delivered by Stepping Stones to ensure alignment with the BACP Ethical Framework and/or equivalent professional standards.

• Help foster a collaborative team culture built on trust and transparency through regular one-to-one and team meetings.

• Provide professional advice and consultancy to counsellors within the scope of the Deputy role.

• Support clinical contribution to strategic planning.

• Assist in coordinating training and development including contributing to clinical content for quarterly development days.

• Support qualitative evaluation processes for the counselling service.

• Help ensure safe and effective systems for managing client matters.

• Assist with counsellor recruitment and induction including probation and performance support.

• Participate in wider service design and development including awareness events, networking, and social media engagement.

Promotion and Awareness

• Support the promotion of Stepping Stones North Wales’ services to professionals and the wider community.

• Work with colleagues to contribute to outreach activities, events and campaigns.

• Gather feedback from volunteers and stakeholders to inform service development and improvement.

Client support

• Support the complimentary client support groups within North Wales.

• Develop partnership working in the community to deliver activities and education to support groups.

• Research and set-up of new support groups within North Wales.

• Support the Clinical Lead and work with counsellors and staff to ensure safe transition and support of clients within support groups and in moving from counselling into support groups.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Qualified counsellor/psychotherapist with relevant accreditation or working towards accreditation.

• Experience providing counselling within a trauma‑informed or specialist support setting.

• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and risk management.

• Understanding of the BACP Ethical Framework and/or equivalent professional standards.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

• Experience supporting or mentoring practitioners.

• Welsh language skills, both written and spoken, or a commitment and passion to learn the language.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working within the voluntary or community sector.

• Experience in service coordination or team leadership.

• Experience contributing to training or professional development.

• Experience within the voluntary or specialist support sector.

• Welsh language skills.

Values and Behaviours

All colleagues and volunteers at Stepping Stones North Wales are expected to work in a way that is compassionate, respectful and non-judgemental. To demonstrate a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality and to act with integrity and accountability. We are all expected to adhere to our Whole Team Approach to all that we do.

Safeguarding

Stepping Stones North Wales is committed to safeguarding adults and young people. This role is subject to safer recruitment processes, including references and an enhanced DBS check.

How to Apply

Applications are welcome via email. Please send an email, which includes your CV and a cover letter to [email protected] by 10pm on Monday 16th March.

The cover letter must be no more than 1000 words and briefly, using bullet points, demonstrate your skills, experience, and suitability for the role.

Your CV must include details of two references. These will only be contacted after we have appointed the successful candidate.

If you require further assistance to apply, or if you would like to arrange an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact our Clinical Lead, Della Austin, at [email protected]