Counselling Placement Positions
The Counselling Placement scheme is now closed for the current year.
To be notified when our scheme is next open for applications, please complete the registration form below.
Alliance is an independent provider of counselling, psychotherapy and other psychological services based in Stockton and operating across the North East. We provide therapeutic services in Primary Care, Community, Workplace and children’s services. We have a team of more than 200 employees which includes Managers, qualified Counsellors Psychotherapists, Clinical Psychologists and PWP’s. Within our NHS funded primary care service, Impact on Teesside, we have a managed placement scheme for up to eight trainees annually. We also provide a small number of placements in our Children, Young People and Families Service.
Please see the below information on the scheme that we offer.
Training & Qualifications
We offer placement positions to trainees who are currently undertaking a Diploma in Counselling or Psychotherapy, or a course at an equivalent level, such as a Foundation Degree. This placement is not suitable for individuals who are currently undertaking, or have qualified from, a Clinical Psychology course.
Applicants are normally expected to have completed, or be nearing completion of, their first year of training at this level and to have the support of their Course Tutor when applying for this placement. Applications will only be considered from trainees who have experience of offering counselling to clients in a clinical setting. We will also consider applicants with other relevant experience, such as experience with SHOUT or the Samaritans.
In addition, we offer Postgraduate Internship positions for recently qualified counsellors who wish to gain further experience or who are working towards Accreditation.
For placements in our Children’s services, trainees should have some previous experience of working with children and young people.
Hours & Working Requirements
During the induction period, placements should allow approximately 2 hours per week for training purposes. The induction period typically lasts between 8 and 10 weeks before the placement is working directly with clients.
Placements can expect to work for a minimum of 4 hours per week, this is based on working with 2 clients. This includes clinical work, administration tasks, supervision and meetings.
Placements will also be expected to attend any relevant training offered by Alliance during the placement.
In-house supervision is provided as part of this placement in line with BACP guidelines however, it may not meet the requirements of all training organisations.
This is a face-to-face role only, and remote working is not available on placement. Placements will therefore be required to work from one of our venues across Teesside.
Code of Ethics
The trainee must be a current member of an appropriate professional body, and work to their Code of Ethics and Practice. It is the responsibility of the trainee to maintain their professional membership throughout their placement.
Conditions of Placement
There will be a written agreement between the trainee counsellor and Alliance. This lays down the process for effectively managing the trainee’s placement. Placements and Internships are offered subject to the terms and conditions in these agreements.
In line with other professions such as nursing, medicine and social work, the trainee should not expect or accept payment for work carried out in their placement whilst undertaking initial clinical training.
