About Reach Out for Mental Health (ROFMH)
Reach Out for Mental Health is a suicide prevention charity running across Essex. We offer support through counselling (via trainee therapists), befriending, coffee groups, and a specialist crisis service in Harwich. A passionate team of staff, volunteers and placement counsellors delivers our service – many with lived experience of emotional distress or loss by suicide.
We exist to reduce the number of suicides in Essex by helping people feel less alone, especially during their darkest moments.
Job Overview
We are looking for a qualified and experienced counsellor to join our small team as the first point of contact for all referrals. This role involves assessing clients for suitability, managing risk and signposting individuals to the most appropriate support internally or externally.
You will work closely with the operations manager and counselling service coordinator to ensure referrals are safely and efficiently managed. This role is largely remote, so you must be confident working independently, managing your time effectively, and following instructions from senior staff. The post holder will be required to work Monday-Friday 11.30am-7.30pm.
PLEASE NOTE: Full-Time, Fixed term til March 2026 with potential to extend
Responsibilities
- Manage and assess all incoming client referrals
- Conduct initial assessments (via phone or video) and triage accordingly to either counselling, befriending or coffee groups
- Signpost clients to appropriate services, both internal and external
- Liaise with the counselling service coordinator and volunteer coordinators to allocate support
- A point of call for student counsellors requiring urgent support
- To support a small case load of student counsellors and be first point of contact
- Keep accurate and up-to-date records on our CRM system (Lamplight)
- Work alongside the operations manager to review referral data, trends, and gaps
- Maintain a live signposting directory of services in Essex (e.g. DVA, substance misuse, housing, benefits, mental health)
- Contribute to service evaluation through client exit feedback and outcome reporting
- Attend monthly team meetings in Chelmsford
- Expected to attend regular team meetings with external providers and partners online and feed back to the rest of the team about relevant updates from other organisations
- At all times be an advocate of the charity
Experience
- Minimum Level 4 qualification in one of the following:
- Counselling (e.g. Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling)
- At least 3 years’ experience supporting adults with emotional distress and/or suicidal thoughts
- At least 1 year of experience conducting mental health or counselling assessments
- Strong working knowledge of safeguarding, suicide risk, trauma-informed care, and referral pathways
- Excellent understanding of services available in Essex (or ability to research and build local knowledge quickly)
Essential Skills & Attributes
- Confident using Microsoft Word and Excel
- Familiarity with CRM systems (Lamplight desirable)
- Strong organisational skills – able to manage workload independently
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Able to follow instructions and collaborate with team members
- Emotionally resilient and calm in high-pressure or sensitive situations
- Person-centred, empathetic, and non-judgemental approach
- Membership or registration with BACP
Desirable
- Previous experience in the charity or voluntary sector
- Experience supporting volunteers or trainee teams
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 6 months
Pay: £29,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Bereavement leave
- Company pension
- Sick pay
- Work from home
Application question(s):
- Can you work Mon-Fri 11.30am-7.30pm?
Experience:
- counselling: 3 years (required)
- counselling assessment: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Minimum level 4 qualification or equivalent in counselling (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Essex, CM1 1HL
Application deadline: 05/09/2025
Expected start date: 29/09/2025