Head of Supervision for the Counselling Psychology Qualification Leadership Team 

Role: Head of Supervision for the Counselling Psychology Qualification Leadership Team 

Location: Remote with attendance at meetings in Leicester, London or Online 

Reports to: Qualification Committee Chair and BPS Office 

Hours: 6 sessions a month (a session equals 3.5 hours)

Remuneration: Paid

Duration: Fixed term (1 year with opportunity for extension)

The British Psychological Society's Counselling Psychology Qualification Leadership Team (QLT) is seeking to appoint a Chartered member who is a Counselling Psychologist to take on the role of Head of Supervision.

The role of the QLT is to manage all matters relating to the development, delivery and assessment of the Qualification in Counselling Psychology (QCoP). The QLT's work is overseen by the society's Qualifications Committee (QC) which consists of the programme leads for all qualifications. The QCoP confers eligibility to apply to the society for Chartered membership, Full membership of the Division of Counselling Psychology (QCoP) as well as eligibility to apply for registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist.

Role overview

The Head of Supervision will work in collaboration with colleagues in the QLT and the society's Qualifications Team to ensure that QCoP candidates are supported during their enrolment. This will involve: reviewing and approving enrolment applications; approving and supporting Co-ordinating Supervisors; responding to individual issues via committee lists and over email; as well as having a proactive approach to providing structure and information to our stakeholders. The role will support the Programme Lead in ensuring that the qualification meets internal and external monitoring requirements and will manage the supervision deputies, where applicable.

Role description

• review and approve enrolment applications, ensuring that candidates meet enrolment requirements and that their approach to undertaking the qualification is appropriate
• monitor candidate progress, recognise trends and act to address issues by providing resources and delivering workshop sessions for candidates and/or supervisors to support successful completion of the qualification
• approve any changes or adjustments needed to training plans
• consider improvements and implement changes to support candidates' development through the qualification
• provide monthly clinic sessions to support our candidates and supervisors

• promote the efficient running of the supervision process to include effective training and monitoring of supervisor availability and performance;   
• manage supervision deputies (where applicable)
• run effective recruitment campaigns for supervisors and supervision deputies as appropriate 
• contribute to internal and external validation and approval processes
• support the promotion of marketing activities and provide advice to potential and interested applicants
• attend meetings of the QLT
• consult with the QLT, or any of its members, on any of the above matters, as appropriate.

Essential criteria

The Head of Supervision will be:

• a Counselling Psychologist with Chartered membership of the society
• a member of DCoP with at least two years' post qualification experience
• hold HCPC registration

Competencies and experience

• knowledge and understanding of the qualification

• experience of providing supervisory support to doctoral candidates   
• an understanding of the specific challenges faced by candidates who enrol on the QCoP (related both to the independent nature of the qualification and the domain in which they practice)
• training and facilitation experience
• an evidence-based approach to problem solving

Personal qualities

• consultative leadership style 
• excellent decision-making skills 
• willingness to embrace and positively respond to change 
• proven collaborative approach to team working  

• pragmatic and solution focused   
• attention to detail  
• ability to withstand pressure  
• excellent communication and facilitation skills 
• good organisational skills 

How to Apply

For further information about this role please contact Sasha St John, the Qualification's Delivery Officer, by emailing [email protected].

Please note, in order to apply for this role, a Statement of Interest form must be provided (obtainable from Sasha St John).

Timetable for the selection process

The closing date for applications is 11.59pm on Tuesday 22 November. 

Shortlisting will commence week beginning 21 November.

Interviews will take place in w/c 28 November.