Head of Counselling & Clinical Governance

PURPOSE OF THE POST

Reporting to the Executive Director of Clinical Services and as a member of the Senior Management Team, the Head of Counselling & Clinical Governance will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of New Pathways' counselling services, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, trauma-informed and high-quality services. The postholder will lead the organisation's clinical governance framework, driving excellence in clinical practice, governance, quality assurance, service performance and continuous improvement, whilst ensuring compliance with professional, ethical and safeguarding standards.

GENERAL

• The post holder will embody New Pathways' ethos and values and will model appropriate behaviours at all times and in all areas of responsibility.
• Champion equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice, ensuring services are accessible, inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of clients, volunteers and colleagues.
• Be prepared to undertake other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the nature, level and responsibilities of the post, as reasonably required by the Executive Director.

MAIN TASKS AND DUTIES

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the strategic development and planning of New Pathways' Adult, Children & Young People and Wellbeing counselling services, ensuring they remain responsive to changing client need, commissioning priorities and organisational objectives.
• Contribute as a member of the Senior Management Team.
• Support organisational strategy and business planning.
• Build strategic partnerships with statutory and voluntary organisations.
• Represent New Pathways at regional and national meetings.

Operational Leadership

• Lead and line manage Counselling Managers and associated operational functions.
• Provide effective leadership, management and support to direct reports, including regular one-to-one meetings, performance development reviews, objective setting, coaching and professional development.
• Ensure sufficient staffing, capacity and workforce planning.
• Oversee referral pathways, waiting lists, allocation processes and operational performance to ensure timely, equitable and effective service delivery.
• Manage counselling contracts and commissioned services.
• Lead the recruitment, retention and succession planning of counselling staff to ensure a sustainable and high-performing workforce.

Clinical Governance

• Develop, implement and continuously review the organisation's clinical governance framework.
• Ensure counselling practice complies with the BACP Ethical Framework, safeguarding legislation, organisational policies and other relevant professional standards.
• Oversee quality assurance, clinical audits and outcome monitoring.
• Ensure trauma-informed, ethical and evidence-based practice is embedded throughout counselling services.
• Monitor clinical performance and ensure learning informs practice.
• Lead or oversee investigations into complex clinical concerns, complaints and incidents, ensuring learning is embedded into future practice.

Clinical Leadership

• Provide senior clinical leadership across counselling services.
• Act as the escalation point for complex referrals, allocations and high-risk cases.
• Support Counselling Managers in complex clinical decision-making.
• Foster a culture of reflective practice and clinical excellence.

Safeguarding & Risk

• Provide strategic oversight of safeguarding practice across counselling services.
• Work alongside the Safeguarding Manager on complex safeguarding concerns.
• Monitor safeguarding themes, trends and learning.
• Ensure robust clinical risk management arrangements are in place.

Service Improvement & Performance

• Use data, audits, client feedback and outcome measures to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Lead the development and implementation of pathways, service models and evidence-informed ways of working to improve client outcomes and service effectiveness.
• Monitor KPIs and report on service performance.

Workforce Development

• Lead and support the accreditation, professional development and clinical capability of counsellors and

Counselling Managers

• Identify organisational training needs through audit and supervision themes.
• Promote a culture of learning, reflection and professional excellence.
• Support performance management where clinical practice concerns arise.

Governance & Reporting

• Prepare reports for the Executive Team, Trustees and funders.
• Provide assurance to the Executive Team and Board of Trustees regarding the quality, safety and effectiveness of counselling services.
• Ensure appropriate management of clinical information and records.
• Maintain compliance with GDPR and information governance requirements.

Financial & Contract Management

• Manage counselling budgets and resources effectively, ensuring services operate within agreed financial parameters.
• Monitor commissioned contracts and service delivery against contractual requirements.
• Work collaboratively with the Business Development Team to support funding applications, tender submissions, commissioned contracts and the sustainable growth and development of counselling services.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, maximise resources and support the long-term sustainability of counselling services.

Leadership & Culture

• Foster a positive, inclusive and high-performing working environment.
• Promote collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement across teams.
• Lead organisational change and transformation initiatives.
• Empower managers to deliver high-quality, client-centred services and achieve organisational objectives.