We have a unique opportunity for an experienced counsellor to lead and develop our specialist perinatal counselling service, making a real impact across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Pregnancy Counselling and Care (Scotland) is a small, Edinburgh-based charity providing practical and emotional support to individuals and families during pregnancy, early parenthood, or in times of loss. Through our Baby Bank and Counselling Service, we support people when they need it most - ensuring that no one faces these challenges alone.

We are currently seeking a Counselling Lead to manage and shape our specialist perinatal counselling service across the Edinburgh & the Lothians. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced counsellor with strong leadership skills who is passionate about supporting others and improving mental health care at a grassroots level.

About the Role

The Counselling Lead is a part time role (21 hours/week), based in a hybrid fashion from home and the Gyle Shopping Centre, the base for our Baby Bank service and one of our counselling rooms, and Dialogue and Space, our other in person counselling rooms in the east of the city.

The Counselling Team includes a part time Counselling Assistant (hybrid role) and a team of (currently) ten counsellors including both qualified practitioners (senior counsellors) and trainees (placement counsellors). The Counselling Lead will manage the counselling service, line managing counselling team and will work closely with the Counselling Assistant to manage the waiting list and allocate them to counsellors appropriate to each client’s needs.

You will also play a vital role in driving forward our strategic priorities:

1. To increase capacity of our Baby Bank and our Counselling Service
2. To improve awareness of all our services and their impact on individuals and families
3. To improve the quality of the services we provide

Job Description

Counselling Delivery and Team Support

• Provide leadership and line management to our counselling team made up of sessional senior counsellors, volunteer and placement counsellors
• Work with the Counselling Assistant to agree allocation of waiting list to counsellors for initial assessments and first appointments
• Support counsellors in their work with clients via line management supervision and regular check ins with placement counsellors, regular senior counsellor team meetings and case discussions as required
• Provide in-person support for placement counsellors at both counselling venues when required, in conjunction with Counselling Assistant and Operations Manager

Counselling Team Recruitment

• Recruit senior counsellors when required, and placement counsellors on a biannual basis, with admin support from the Counselling Assistant
• Provide biannual induction training for placement counsellors and ongoing training opportunities for the team
• Oversee PVG applications for the service, with admin support from the Counselling Assistant

Governance

• Hold day to day responsibility for child and adult protection concerns within the service with support from Operations Manager
• Review counselling policies and procedures, ensuring child and adult protection procedures are followed and service remain in line with COSCA standards
• Ensure counselling premises are suitable for the needs of the service and maintain relationships with in-person space providers

Data Management

• Oversee the use of Bacpac (client management software) by all counsellors and the Counselling Assistant
• Collate statistics from Bacpac and other client feedback routes to report against KPIs

Stakeholder Relationships & Marketing

• Liaise with other referral organisations and other agencies to build up partnerships
• Promote the counselling service through awareness campaigns and creation of resources for referrers and key audiences

Service Development

• Contribute to the operational and strategic development of the counselling service
• Work as a team with all the staff, contributing to team meetings and discussions
• Provide regular reports to Board, liaise with fundraiser and Board members as required
• Liaise with Operations Manager and Baby Bank Development Workers to respond to the needs of the charity

Person Specification

Essential:

• Fully qualified counsellor with a minimum of 200 hours of client work
• Full membership to COSCA or BACP or other recognised governing body
• Willingness to work to COSCA Statement of Ethics and Code of Practice
• Current PVG membership or willingness to join the PVG scheme
• Experience in
  • Handling child and adult protection concerns and disclosures
  • Providing online and in person counselling
• Comfortable with Excel, databases, and general IT use
• Experience in training delivery or event coordination
• Strong team leadership skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication, workload and people management skills
• A proactive and positive approach to problem-solving
• Ability to work effectively, both independently and as part of a team
• Flexibility regarding specific hours worked, and attitude to activities undertaken
• A passion to support others experiencing difficulties in their lives

Desirable:

• Experience of line management supervision, preferably in a counselling context
• Clinical supervisor qualification
• Counselling experience and / or knowledge of pregnancy and early parenting-related issues
• Experience writing content for social media

Urban Uprising

Urban Uprising improves the life chances of disadvantaged young people using rock climbing. Our programmes deliver physical, social and personal development, and give young people access to highly trained positive role models through our coaches.

We give young people who wouldn’t normally have the chance an opportunity to experience the transformational personal change that climbing can bring.

We work in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Cambridge, Bristol and London, partnering with local youth organisations to reach young people experiencing disadvantage, often from deprived communities. We also partner with climbing centres who provide instructors and entry at reduced cost.

Our Mission:

In partnership with climbing centres and committed volunteer role models, we exist to give young people diverse experiences, empowering them to improve their own life chances. Climbing creates a progressive safe space where young people can consistently take risks to develop confidence and other key life skills.

Our Values:

● Empowering: Aspirational and empowering approach

● Inspiring: Inspiring within safe boundaries

● Challenging: Activities will always have a physical and mentally challenging nature

● Supporting: Peer-on-peer support and adult/instructor support for young people

● Connected: Connected and sensitive to local youth culture

Role Summary

Urban Uprising is seeking a skilled and motivated Trusts and Grants Fundraiser to join our small, passionate team. This role is key to growing our income from charitable trusts, foundations, lottery and statutory sources to support our climbing-based youth development programmes across the UK.

You will lead on researching opportunities, writing compelling applications and reports, and stewarding strong relationships with funders. You’ll work with an established system, use AI tools to boost productivity, and collaborate closely with the Programme Manager and Trustees.

This is more than a delivery role — we’re looking for someone who wants to grow with us, as we enter an exciting new phase of development. As we expand our reach and income, this role offers the opportunity to shape and develop the fundraising function. You’ll be able to contribute strategically, work flexibly in a way that suits you, and take on greater responsibility over time.

We are looking for someone output-focused, flexible, and highly organised, who is energised by targets and committed to making a measurable impact.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a senior management post within Families Outside. This is a key role for a dynamic and passionate individual interested in making a real difference in the lives of families affected by imprisonment. If you are skilled and motivated to take strategic and operational responsibility for the support of children and families and have the skills and experience to lead a team of dedicated staff, among other attributes, we would like to hear from you!

This role is primarily based in our Head Office in Edinburgh but would be feasible for anyone in the central belt.

About the role

Families Outside is the only national charity in Scotland that works solely to support children and families affected by imprisonment. This senior management post leads the strategic development and implementation of the work of Families Outside’s Family Support team, linking the work of the Regional Managers and Regional Family Support Coordinators, national Helpline, and support to Prison Visitors’ Centres to improve outcomes for children and families throughout Scotland who are affected by imprisonment. The post holder will lead and inspire a team of managers to deliver high quality integrated support within our values framework (Compassion, Integrity, Tenacity, and Expertise). Undertaking and leading on significant projects, providing strategic leadership, and promoting and representing Families Outside are all key components of this challenging role.

About you

You will need a proven relevant track record, possibly gained in a range of sectors where you operated at a senior level with external audiences and engaged with, and influenced, a variety of stakeholders. You will also need demonstrable experience in managing and developing a diverse family support service, working collaboratively to support families caught up in criminal justice processes, significant experience of child and adult protection and trauma-informed practice, and extensive experience of managing staff, students, and volunteers.

Someone who thrives on working collaboratively with others for the good of the business, you will be adept at building a network of good relationships and have an ability to develop a thorough understanding of the organisation and the wider sector quickly. You will be a good listener and positive influencer who communicates clearly, verbally and in writing; is reasonably comfortable with the media and Parliamentary bodies; and, where appropriate, is able to persuade others to change their views, intentions, or actions.

The leadership role of Director of Services is key for the organisation: you will lead a team of 4 – 5 managers, and as a member of the 3-person Senior Management Team will report directly to the CEO. Providing leadership and effective day-to-day management of the Family Support Team, you will ensure that Families Outside is a key contributor to local and national policy and the lead national voice on issues relating to families affected by imprisonment.

This is an exciting role for the right applicant. It comes at a time where Families Outside has undertaken a major restructuring programme and is regrouping to make best use of our capacity. This is an exciting time to join the team, where you will have the opportunity to deliver the ambitions of Families Outside on a national and international stage.

Staff Benefits

25 flexible leave days plus 10 public holidays

4% matched contribution workplace pension scheme

Hybrid & flexible working

Employee Assistance Programme (Health Assured)

Cycle to Work Scheme

Laptop and mobile phone for all staff