FE Sessional Lecturer in Counselling

**Job details**

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**Responsible to**

FE Lecturer in Health/Health Science/Science and T Level Lead Tutor

**Location**

Buxton Campus

**Closing date**

Wednesday 29 April 2026

**Salary**

£26.53 per hour

**Job grade**

FE Lecturer

**Reference**

0063-26

**Contract type**

Fixed term contract until 31/07/2026

**Post type**

Hourly paid

**Adaptive working type**

Onsite

This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

**Please note: applicants already contracted to full-time positions within the University are not permitted to undertake additional contracted hours due to the weekly working time directive.**

**About the University**

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

**About the College/Department**

At the University of Derby, our Institute of Education and Skills is at the heart of shaping the educators, trainers, and leaders of tomorrow. We are dedicated to inspiring, developing, and empowering professionals across education, training, and lifelong learning to transform lives and communities.

We deliver high-quality programmes that span teacher training, post-16 education, early years, educational leadership, and workforce development. By combining academic expertise with real-world application, we prepare our students to make an impact in diverse educational settings.

Our staff are committed to innovation, inclusion, and excellence; engaging learners with cutting-edge research, sector-leading practice, and a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. We are proud to work with schools, colleges, training providers, and employers across the region and beyond, ensuring that our teaching is grounded in the needs of society and industry.

Whether through developing the next generation of teachers, enhancing workforce skills, or advancing educational research, the Institute of Education and Skills plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of education.

**About** **University of Derby Buxton**

University of Derby Buxton is a vibrant and unique campus set in the heart of the Peak District, combining a rich history with a forward-looking approach to education. Based in the iconic Devonshire Dome, the Buxton campus is home to specialist programmes such as hospitality, culinary arts, events, tourism, and hair and beauty.

The campus is designed to provide students with hands-on, real-world learning experiences, supported by industry-standard facilities and strong links to local, national, and international employers. With its blend of practical training, academic expertise, and professional partnerships, Buxton offers an environment where students can develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to excel in dynamic and competitive industries.

Set within the stunning natural landscape of Derbyshire, the campus also offers an inspiring backdrop for study and personal growth. At Buxton, students are encouraged to explore, innovate, and thrive, making it an exceptional place to learn and build a successful future.

University of Derby Buxton is rated ‘Good’ by OFSTED in all inspection areas, including teaching, learning & assessment, outcomes for learners, personal development, behaviour & welfare; and has a team of dedicated staff who take pride in supporting learners towards their study and career goals. This is a fantastic opportunity to join our team on our journey to becoming an outstanding provider.

**About the role**

The Health, Health & Social Care, and Counselling Department delivers industry-focused programmes, including the T Level in Health, that prepare learners for careers across clinical, care, and therapeutic professions. Our team provides high-quality teaching, professional skills development, and meaningful employer engagement to support confident progression into the health and social care sector

You will deliver and assess the Level 4 AIMS Counselling qualification, supporting learners to develop the advanced knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours required for progression into counselling practice. This includes teaching core therapeutic theories, facilitating skills-based workshops, guiding learners through reflective practice, and ensuring all assessment evidence meets AIMS standards and regulatory requirements.

The Role involves maintaining a safe, ethical, and supportive learning environment, modelling professional conduct, and embedding key counselling competencies such as active listening, ethical decision-making, case formulation, and working within recognised counselling frameworks. You will provide constructive feedback, track learner progress, and contribute to quality assurance procedures to uphold the integrity of the qualification. Experience within counselling practice and a sound understanding of sector-specific professional standards are essential.

Salary range from £14.05 - £26.53 per hour.

Your rate of pay will be determined by your qualified teacher status.

If you hold a relevant teaching qualification; the lower rate of £15.16 per hour will apply for non-teaching scheduled work. The higher rate of £26.53 per hour will apply for teaching scheduled work.

If you do not hold a relevant teaching qualification, the lower rate of £14.05 per hour will apply for non-teaching scheduled work. The higher rate of £24.59 per hour will apply for teaching scheduled work.

Please note this is a fixed term position until July 2026.

***Actual hours and days will be described in a ‘Schedule of Work’.***

**About You**

You will be an experienced counselling practitioner with the confidence to teach, assess, and support learners working toward the Level 4 AIMS Counselling qualification. You will bring strong knowledge of therapeutic theories, ethical frameworks, and professional standards, and you will be skilled at delivering both theory and practical skills sessions.

You will be able to create a safe, ethical, and supportive learning environment where students can develop core counselling competencies and reflective practice. You will also be able to provide clear feedback, track progress effectively, and ensure all assessment evidence meets AIMS and regulatory requirements.

Organised and collaborative, you will have the ability to maintain accurate records, contribute to quality assurance, and uphold safeguarding, health and safety, and professional expectations. Above all, you’ll be committed to helping learners progress confidently into counselling roles within the wider health and social care sector.

**Principal accountabilities**

To teach effectively (including the necessary preparation) using a variety of methods on appropriate programmes as directed by the subject Curriculum Leader.

To assess and record students’ progress on a regular basis by appropriate means e.g. marking, internal verification, learning agreements, action plans etc.

To respond to the personal and social needs of students in the learning situation.

To prepare programmes of work and lesson plans, set assignments, tests, examinations, marking schemes.

To ensure that all appropriate administrative records are accurately completed and maintained in accordance with College procedures, e.g. enrolment forms, attendance registers, student Individual Learning Agreements.

To ensure that students behave in a responsible manner to a high standard of safety in classrooms, practical areas and around the College and University campus.

To comply with the requirements of Health & Safety, other relevant legislation and College documentation.

To comply with copyright and software licensing legislation and related University procedures.

To undertake appropriate training and Continuing Professional Development activities as requested by the Curriculum Leader.

To work with support staff, programme and course teams as appropriate.

To ensure that the College’s Quality Assurance Procedures are completed and actioned.

To contribute to the marketing activities of the College.

To comply with the requirements of Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults, Prevent, Health and Safety and other University and College policies including Equal Opportunities, Risk Management and Equality and Diversity.

Attendance at the following Boards/Meetings, where it is appropriate and where meetings can be arranged to fit in with other commitments; development meetings; probation and development review; course/team meetings; any relevant meetings associated with internal and/or external periodic scrutiny (e.g. OFSTED)

To comply with the requirements of Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults, Prevent, Health and Safety, Quality and other University policies including Equal Opportunities, Risk Management and Equality and Diversit.

**Person specification**

### **Essential Criteria**

#### **Qualifications**

• Level 4 Counselling qualification (or above)
• Integrative and/or Person-Centred Counselling qualification/experience
• Hold or be willing to undertake a Level 3 teaching qualification e.g. Certificate in Education Level 2 Qualifications (either in Functional Skills or GCSE A-C) in both English and maths or a willingness to achieve within an agreed timescale

#### **Experience**

• Demonstrable evidence of ability to engage with learners to support high quality learning outcomes

#### **Skills, knowledge & abilities**

• Highly developed communication skills
• The ability to carry out assessing and feedback to students
• Ability to use own initiative
• Ability to work effectively on your own and with a small team
• Well-developed administrative and organisational skills
• Ability to work flexibly within a team
• Good time management skills
• The ability to reflect on own teaching practice and group management
• Demonstrate the ability to provide high quality feedback to trainee counsellors in relation to their written academic work, counselling skills practice and personal development

#### **Business requirements**

• Completed DBS check with child barred list
• Prohibited from Teaching check
• A commitment to the principle of widening participation
• A commitment to continued professional development
• A commitment to the College’s values and behaviours
• Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between College and external sites in a cost effective and timely manner

### **Desirable Criteria**

#### **Qualifications**

• Assessor Awards

#### **Experience**

• Experience of delivering teaching or training programmes to post 16 age group
• Experience of Internal and External Verification processes
• Practical experience of promoting equality and diversity

#### **Skills, knowledge and abilities**

• Knowledge of the latest developments in Education and Training
• A knowledge of appropriate progression routes for students

**Benefits**

• Annual leave accrual
• Teacher’s Pension Scheme
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

**Key contact**

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Kate Ellis, FE Lecturer in Health/Health Science/Science and T Level Lead Tutor via k.ellis2@derby.ac.uk

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.

**Important information**

#### **Visa Sponsorship Eligibility**

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

#### **DBS check**

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

#### **Equity, diversity and inclusion**

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.

We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.

Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non-binary-inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training.

When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender-neutral title 'Mx'. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns. This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non-binary candidates. Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system.

The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant’s name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias.

However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

Read more about equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby.

#### **Environmental Sustainability**

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

**Seek academic excellence by applying now with University of Derby.**

**How to apply**

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You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

**The University reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.**

If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk.

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.