Job Description

An opportunity has arisen for a qualified and accredited infertility counsellor to provide therapeutic, implications and support counselling to patients seeking fertility treatment and to donor conceived people and/or donors wishing to register with the Donor Conceived (DCR) register.The candidate must possess a recognised qualification in counselling, be BACP accredited and be willing to work towards BICA accreditation. The candidate should demonstrate a knowledge, experience of working with emotional and psychological needs of individuals and couples suffering from fertility difficulties and the experiences of donor conceived people and donors who wish to obtain information from the Donor Conceived Register (DCR). Applicants will also need to show the skills and knowledge to be able to contribute to assessments of the Welfare on the Unborn Child in accordance with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.This post is a unique specialist role which requires the counsellor to be confident and able to work autonomously and in an independent capacity as well as working closely with the multi-disciplinary team.Main duties of the jobTo provide a service that is sensitive and adaptable to the needs of the individual client - including donors, couple and family before, during and after treatment, taking into account stages of investigation and treatment and other sources of support.To provide a service that is sensitive and adaptable to the needs of donor conceived people.About usLiverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust delivers the highest standards of care for women, babies and families. Each year we deliver over 7,500 babies, carry out over 49,000 gynaecological inpatient and outpatient procedures, care for over 1,000 poorly & preterm new-borns, perform around 1,000 IVF cycles and have over 4,000 genetic appointments taking place. We believe that this along with a strong dedication to research & innovation makes us the specialist health provider of choice in Europe for women, babies and families.We have some of the leading experts in their field, which has been showcased on national TV and news, making our teams famous across the world for professionalism, skill & compassion.The Trust is constantly innovating and evolving its services to provide the most cutting edge and modern care possible. As well as developing services on our current site we have long-term aspirations for the future. We have recently launched a number of new strategies which provide a detailed long-term plan for our services.Check out why Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust is a great place to work using the links below:Video:https://vimeo.com/556197652Online brochure: https://www.liverpoolwomens.nhs.uk/media/4121/recruitment-pack-great-place-to-work-16pp-v4-final.pdfDate posted17 April 2025Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 6Salaryxc2xa337,338 to xc2xa344,962 a year per annum pro rataContractPermanentWorking patternFull-timeReference number159-LWH-81-25Job locationsLiverpool Women's Hospital - Occasionally Knutsford clinicCrown StreetLiverpoolL8 7SSJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesTo provide a service that is sensitive and adaptable to the needs of the individual client, couple and family before, during and after treatment, taking into account physical health and abilities, form of involvement in assisted conception, stages of investigation and treatment and other sources of support.To provide the three distinct types of counselling as outlined in the HFEA code of practice as follows:Support counselling and therapeutic counselling as well as implications counselling for patients taking part in gametes donation treatments (receiving or donating ovum, sperm or embryo) and surrogacy (surrogate and commissioning couples).To provide face to face, online and telephone counselling.To perform Welfare of the Unborn Child assessmentsTo provide support to donor conceived people and donors wishing to register with the DCRTo attend regular team meetingsTo adhere the HFEA, The Hewitt fertility Centre and Trust policies and be up to date with mandatory training and role related competencies. Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesTo provide a service that is sensitive and adaptable to the needs of the individual client, couple and family before, during and after treatment, taking into account physical health and abilities, form of involvement in assisted conception, stages of investigation and treatment and other sources of support.To provide the three distinct types of counselling as outlined in the HFEA code of practice as follows:Support counselling and therapeutic counselling as well as implications counselling for patients taking part in gametes donation treatments (receiving or donating ovum, sperm or embryo) and surrogacy (surrogate and commissioning couples).To provide face to face, online and telephone counselling.To perform Welfare of the Unborn Child assessmentsTo provide support to donor conceived people and donors wishing to register with the DCRTo attend regular team meetingsTo adhere the HFEA, The Hewitt fertility Centre and Trust policies and be up to date with mandatory training and role related competencies.Person SpecificationSkills, Knowledge & AptitudesEssential

• To prioritise work in conjunction with manager and colleagues
• To manage ongoing caseload of patients
• To follow policies applicable to role
• To communicate relevant information to colleagues.
• To work in participation with tertiary agencies.
• To contribute to and support and train a multi-disciplinary team
• To provide written reports
• To work unsupervised and under own initiative
• To demonstrate a clear commitment to equal opportunities.
• To have competent IT skills and ability to work with different systems

Qualifications & LearningEssential

• A recognised Diploma in Counselling
• Certificate in online counselling as per BACP guidelines or evidence of working towards

Desirable

• A Professional Qualification in Social Work.
• Qualification in couples therapy

Professional requirementsEssential

• Accreditation with BACP
• To attend BICA 'Introduction to Infertility Counselling' and advanced Courses
• To have supervision on a regular basis

Desirable

• Membership of BICA
• Accreditation with BICA

Flexibility & AdaptabilityEssential

• To work independently
• To attend team meetings and mandatory training at Liverpool Women's Hospital
• To work effectively as part of a team and to proactively contribute to the team

Previous experienceEssential

• To be able to relate to the emotional and psychological needs of involuntarily childless patients.
• Experience of setting and delivering therapeutic packages to meet the needs of patients having fertility treatment.
• Understanding of the experiences and needs of donor conceived people and donors
• Have a sound knowledge of and experience of working with the implications of fertility treatments
• Knowledge of the DCR service

Desirable

• Knowledge/experience of Welfare of the Child Issues.
• Knowledge/experience of LGBT experiences
• Knowledge/experience of group work
• Experience in psychosexual counselling

Special ConditionsEssential

• To be sensitive to important and relevant social, medical, legal, political, professional and cultural issues related to fertility treatment
• To understand ethical principles

Person SpecificationSkills, Knowledge & AptitudesEssential

• To prioritise work in conjunction with manager and colleagues
• To manage ongoing caseload of patients
• To follow policies applicable to role
• To communicate relevant information to colleagues.
• To work in participation with tertiary agencies.
• To contribute to and support and train a multi-disciplinary team
• To provide written reports
• To work unsupervised and under own initiative
• To demonstrate a clear commitment to equal opportunities.
• To have competent IT skills and ability to work with different systems

Qualifications & LearningEssential

• A recognised Diploma in Counselling
• Certificate in online counselling as per BACP guidelines or evidence of working towards

Desirable

• A Professional Qualification in Social Work.
• Qualification in couples therapy

Professional requirementsEssential

• Accreditation with BACP
• To attend BICA 'Introduction to Infertility Counselling' and advanced Courses
• To have supervision on a regular basis

Desirable

• Membership of BICA
• Accreditation with BICA

Flexibility & AdaptabilityEssential

• To work independently
• To attend team meetings and mandatory training at Liverpool Women's Hospital
• To work effectively as part of a team and to proactively contribute to the team

Previous experienceEssential

• To be able to relate to the emotional and psychological needs of involuntarily childless patients.
• Experience of setting and delivering therapeutic packages to meet the needs of patients having fertility treatment.
• Understanding of the experiences and needs of donor conceived people and donors
• Have a sound knowledge of and experience of working with the implications of fertility treatments
• Knowledge of the DCR service

Desirable

• Knowledge/experience of Welfare of the Child Issues.
• Knowledge/experience of LGBT experiences
• Knowledge/experience of group work
• Experience in psychosexual counselling

Special ConditionsEssential

• To be sensitive to important and relevant social, medical, legal, political, professional and cultural issues related to fertility treatment
• To understand ethical principles

NHS