Role Terms
| Hours: | 4 to 6 hours per week Counselling sessions typically take place Mondays to Fridays between 10.00am and 8.00pm – we are happy to discuss days and hours with you, based on your availability |
| Role type: | Student Placement |
| Place of work: | No Limits Head Office, 34/35 The Avenue, Southampton, SO17 1XN No Limits Advice Centre, High Street, Southampton, SO14 2DF |
| Closing Date: | 9.00am on Thursday 22 May 2025 |
| Interview Date: | Wednesday 4 June 2025 |
✨ Join us as a Trainee Counsellor to develop your skills and experience, while making a real difference to children and young people✨
Our Charity
No Limits is the leading youth services charity in Southampton, supporting children and young people in the city and across Hampshire.
At No Limits, it is important our staff and volunteers reflect, represent, and have experience of the challenges faced by the children and young people we support. We are proud of and appreciate our many staff and volunteers who use their own lived experience to support the children and young people they work with.
With this in mind, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in all aspects of our work and organisational culture – and when recruiting, it’s important to us that we continue diversifying our staff and volunteer teams, with children and young people at the centre of everything we do. You can learn more about our DEI approach here.
When we talk about talent, we value the transferrable skills and experiences you can bring to No Limits, whether through work (in the same or a different sector), volunteering, or personal experiences. To make sure we get the best talent on our team, we are open to and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds and sections of the community, including diverse ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and neurodiverse individuals.
Your Role
Are you looking for a supportive counselling placement in a friendly organisation, where you are valued, and helped to grow?
Part of our Therapeutic Services team, our counselling placements provide first-hand experience, allowing you to develop your skills, access Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities and gain practical insight of working with children and young people.
About you – your knowledge, skills and experience
We’d love to hear from you if you are:
- Studying a Level 4, or above, in a relevant counselling qualification
- Have your fitness to practice or readiness to practice from your course provider, or will receive this by the end of May 2025
- Are a member of a professional, ethical counselling body (which could be through your course)
- Able to work with 11 to 17 year olds – most of our counselling referrals are for this age group, so please only apply if you are able to work with this age group
We are committed to making a difference in the lives of the children and young people we work with, and as such, you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the No Limits ethos. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people is paramount.
We particularly welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and those who have had experiences similar to the young people we aim to support. We are committed to creating a diverse environment where people can be their authentic selves, where their experiences and opinions are valued, and we are all open to learning from each other.
As part of our team, you’ll receive a comprehensive induction and access to learning and development opportunities relevant to your role, supporting your ongoing growth.
Counselling placement feedback
“My peers are very supportive, warm and friendly. It is clear we care about each other’s wellbeing, as much as the wellbeing of those who we provide a service.”
“Learning and development opportunities in No Limits are exemplary.”
Please let us know if we can support you with any reasonable adjustments at any point prior to, during or after the selection process, such as access arrangements, flexible working, or a suitable place to pray.
>>> Our Benefits 😄 (click to expand)
We are committed to being a great place to work, where people achieve and feel valued. In our People Survey, 98% of staff and 100% of volunteers said they were proud to tell people they work or volunteer for No Limits. We offer our Trainee Counsellors
Children and young people: Opportunity to support one or two young people each week at first, progressing to four young people, as you develop your practice
Support: Dedicated Manager support from a qualified practitioner, regular team meetings and opportunities for peer support with other Trainee and Volunteer counsellors
Full induction and training programme: Access to free mandatory training, such as safeguarding and health and safety, as well as other online and face-to-face training and opportunities, to support your personal and CPD
Career development: Commitment to supporting the growth of our Trainee and Volunteer Counsellors
Clinical supervision: FREE clinical supervision – 1.5 hours every other week
Admin Support: No Limits has dedicated Admin support
Expenses: Expenses are paid, if you need to travel to see a child or young person for your placement
We’d be happy to have an informal discussion and answer any immediate questions you might have. If you’d like an initial discussion please contact our People Team on people@nolimitshelp.org.uk.
To apply, please:
– Complete an application form (see above) and upload using the portal below, before the closing date of 9.00am on Thursday 22 May 2025. Please contact people@nolimitshelp.org.uk if you need your application in an alternative format.
– Complete our form
In the ‘Your Supporting Statement’ section of the application form, please include how your knowledge, skills and experience meet the ‘About you – knowledge, skills and experience’ section of the role description.
Please note that as we follow safer recruitment guidelines, we do not accept CVs.