Counsellor | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Counsellors help people discuss their problems and feelings in a confidential environment.

Typical task
Working hours
Attractive values

Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests.
Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts.
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Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests.
Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts.
Fill out and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes.
Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.
Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems.
Perform crisis interventions with clients.
Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition, based on review of client information.
Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
Modify treatment activities or approaches as needed to comply with changes in clients' status.
Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs on clients' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives.
Meet with families, probation officers, police, or other interested parties to exchange necessary information during the treatment process.
Discuss with individual patients their plans for life after leaving therapy.
Collaborate with other staff members to perform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans.
Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting clients or patients.
Monitor clients' use of medications.
Plan, organize, or lead structured programs of counseling, work, study, recreation, or social activities for clients.
Learn about new developments in counseling by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, or establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies.
Refer patients, clients, or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary.
Gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy.
Supervise other counselors, social service staff, assistants, or graduate students.
Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse or improve community health or counseling services.
Coordinate or direct employee workshops, courses, or training about mental health issues.

Average salary
27,855 GBP *
per year

Average salary for Counsellor

24,467 GBP
29,179 GBP

Average salary for full-time Counsellor

Showing:

27,855 GBP
29,179 GBP
24,467 GBP

Salary over time for Counsellor

Salary for this role has increased over time

26,667 GBP
26,067 GBP
25,056 GBP
25,433 GBP
24,648 GBP
27,394 GBP
27,855 GBP
27,855 GBP

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Future outlook for Counsellors

Balanced outlook

13 000+ jobs available

Balanced outlook

1% yearly wage growth (on average)

Very good outlook

38% chance of automation in the future

Which qualifications do I need?

Find out what you need to know in order to become a Counsellor and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

In terms of people already doing this job:

70% of people in this role have a Bachelor's degree
23% of people in this role have a Master's degree
3% of people in this role have GCSEs or equivalent

You can start by doing an introduction to counselling course, which can last up to 12 weeks. After that, you can extend your training by completing courses like:

Level 3 Certificate in Counselling
Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Skills
Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling

Colleges will set their own entry requirements but most will expect you to have completed the introductory and Level 3 counselling courses to go further.

Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Counsellor

Counselling

Analytical Thinking Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Persistence Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. Integrity Job requires being honest and ethical. Achievement/Effort Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

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Counsellor | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Salary statistics

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Future outlook for Counsellors

Counsellor - Your future job?

Which qualifications do I need?

Things to highlight for your Counsellor interview

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