What does being a placement counsellor at Strive look like?
If you’re looking for a meaningful, hands-on counselling placement where you can genuinely grow, contribute, and make a difference, Strive could be the perfect fit.
Placement counsellors at Strive play a key part in delivering accessible counselling to the community while developing their own professional competence. Working within their Ethical Framework and Strive’s policies, they provide weekly counselling sessions, maintain accurate and confidential records, and support safe, ethical practice through risk management and safeguarding processes. The role offers hands on experience in a professional agency environment, supported by supervision, clear boundaries of practice, and a structure that prioritises both client wellbeing and counsellor development.
Alongside client work, placement counsellors actively participate in supervision, placement reviews, and regular communication with Strive to ensure safe and effective service delivery. They are expected to uphold Strive’s values, commit to ongoing learning, and work within their training provider’s requirements, including maintaining student membership with an appropriate professional body. This placement gives counsellors the opportunity to gain clinical hours, develop confidence in their therapeutic identity, and contribute meaningfully to a low cost service offering support to those who may otherwise face barriers to accessing counselling.
Will I be a good fit for Strive?
If you’re someone who values empathy, reflective practice, and working safely within your growing therapeutic identity, you may be an excellent match for Strive.
We’re looking for placement counsellors who can build warm, respectful, boundaried relationships and who feel ready to apply their learning in a supportive agency environment. You’ll need experience working with people in a relational or helping capacity and be confident communicating clearly, thinking reflectively, and using supervision to stay safe and grounded. At this stage in your training, you should be able to work within the limits of your proficiency, manage risk with appropriate oversight, and maintain reliable, professional use of digital tools when working online or managing client information.
You’ll already be enrolled on a Level 4 (or higher) counselling training programme, hold membership with a recognised professional body, and be able to provide a Readiness for Placement letter. Just as importantly, you’ll bring a genuine commitment to equality, diversity, and anti-oppressive practice, and a desire to contribute to a service built on accessibility, compassion, and client-centred commitment.
What would I be committing to?
If you’re looking for a placement where you’re supported from day one and where every step is made clear, Strive offers a structured, dependable environment for you to grow as a counsellor.
Your placement begins with a 1:1 induction meeting with the Service Lead, where you’ll be welcomed into the organisation and introduced to the Strive Counsellor Hub. The Hub contains everything you need to work confidently including guidance on bookings, safeguarding procedures, writing SOAP notes, session management, supervision expectations, and all your key policies. Once you’re onboarded, you’ll work with clients weekly through our online platform, write your own notes after each session, engage in regular supervision, and maintain routine contact with the Service Lead so you’re continually supported, checked in with, and never left working alone. These expectations create a safe, consistent structure for you and for the clients you support.
In return, Strive provides a clear framework, accessible support, and a growing professional community. You’ll have ongoing access to policies, templates, reflective resources, and direct guidance whenever needed. As the service develops, we also plan to introduce CPD opportunities, group supervision sessions, and skills workshops so you can continue expanding your practice. Committing to the placement means joining a service that is intentional about your growth, your wellbeing, and your development as a person centred practitioner.
Strive intentionally avoids binding counsellors into fixed hours or lengthy minimum commitments; this is a voluntary role and we recognise how much trainees already sacrifice for their studies. All we ask is that counsellors commit reliably to their clients, and when they choose to end their placement, they give plenty of notice and offer a good, thoughtful ending of, ideally, at least four sessions.
Ready to start your placement journey?
Start your journey with Strive by completing our application form, and we'll get back to you within a couple of days!
Placement Counsellor Role Description
Version: 1.0 (August 2025)
Applies to: Strive
1. Role Purpose
Placement counsellors at Strive provide counselling services to clients as part of their professional training and development. The role ensures that clients receive safe, ethical, and effective support, while counsellors gain experience in line with the requirements of their training providers and professional bodies.
2. Key Responsibilities
– Provide counselling to clients in line with the person-centred approach and the BACP Ethical Framework.
– Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential client records in accordance with Strive’s Privacy Policy.
– Undertake initial assessments of clients where delegated.
– Manage risk appropriately, escalating safeguarding concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
– Work within agreed boundaries of competence, seeking guidance where necessary.
– Participate in supervision in line with Strive’s Supervision Policy.
– Contribute to placement reviews and feedback processes.
– Uphold Strive’s values and policies at all times.
3. Accountability
– Placement counsellors are accountable to the Proprietor/CEO of Strive.
– Clinical accountability is shared between the placement counsellor, their external supervisor, and Strive’s safeguarding structures.
– Placement counsellors must maintain student membership of a professional body (BACP, NCPS, or equivalent) throughout their placement.
4. Requirements
– Currently enrolled on a recognised counselling training course (minimum Level 4 Diploma or equivalent) and able to provide proof of “Fitness to Practice” assessment by training provider.
– Student membership with BACP, NCPS, or equivalent professional body.
– Commitment to Strive’s Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy, and all relevant procedures.
– Completion of induction and mandatory training prior to seeing clients (including CPD to support working online where this is not a core component of the training course).
5. Skills and Attributes
– Ability to build empathic, respectful, and professional relationships with clients.
– Strong self-awareness and commitment to reflective practice.
– Capacity to manage boundaries and confidentiality.
– Willingness to engage with supervision and feedback.
– Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
6. Time Commitment
– Minimum commitment as agreed in the Volunteer Agreement.
– Regular attendance at supervision and training sessions.
– Timely completion of records, assessments, and reviews.
7. Benefits of the Role
– Opportunity to gain clinical hours towards qualification.
– Experience in delivering counselling in a professional agency setting.
– Ongoing supervision and support.
– Contribution to accessible, affordable counselling for the community.
8. Review
This role description will be reviewed annually, or sooner if required by organisational or training provider requirements.
Placement Counsellor Person Specification
Applicants are strongly advised to evidence how they meet the essential and desirable criteria.
Assessment stages:
1 – Application
2 – Onboarding
3 – Interview
Essential Criteria
| Area | Criteria | Stage |
| Experience | Working with people in a supportive, relational or reflective capacity | 1, 3 |
| Completion of at least 30 hours of personal therapy as required by training provider | 1 | |
| Skills and abilities | Ability to form safe, empathic, boundaried therapeutic relationships | 1, 3 |
| Ability to work within modality and limits of proficiency | 1, 3 | |
| Ability to manage risk appropriately with supervisory support | 1, 3 | |
| Clear written and verbal communication skills | 1, 3 | |
| Ability to use digital tools including email, video platforms, and secure document handling | 1, 2 | |
| Qualifications and Training | Currently enrolled on a Level 4 counselling diploma or higher | 1 |
| Readiness for Placement letter from training provider | 1, 2 | |
| Membership of BACP, NCPS or equivalent body | 1, 2 | |
| Other | Commitment to equality, diversity and anti oppressive practice | 1, 3 |