Job Description
James Place London, Senior Suicide Prevention Therapist
Job Title: Senior Suicide Prevention Therapist
Salary: c.£38,000 per annum pro rata, plus 15% ILW
Hours: 22.5 hours over 3 days per week Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: London
Reports to: Head of Centre
THE CHARITY
Suicide is the leading cause of death of men under 35 and three quarters of those who die by suicide are men. James Place exists to save the lives of men in suicidal crisis through delivering clinical services. We are a charity currently offering free, life-saving therapy to suicidal men at our centres in Liverpool, London and Newcastle.
James Place was set up by Clare Milford Haven and Nick Wentworth-Stanley in 2008 after their twenty-one-year-old son, James, died by suicide ten days after a minor operation. James had no history of mental illness or depression and had sought urgent help for anxiety and suicidal thoughts but didn t find it.
James' Place was set up to make the experience of finding help as easy as possible. We offer men who are experiencing a suicidal crisis a brief, intensive, therapeutic intervention in a safe environment. Men who walk through the door at James Place will be in a space where they feel valued and respected. We provide a calm and peaceful environment both inside the centres and in our outside spaces, accessible to men who visit us as well as their friends and families. We have so far treated over 4,300 men who might otherwise have been unable to access the support they desperately need.
In early 2026 we will be opening our fourth centre in Birmingham. Our new centre in Birmingham will be there to support suicidal men living in the West Midlands.
THE OPPORTUNITY
As a Senior Suicide Prevention Therapist, you will work closely with the Head of Centre to provide strong clinical leadership and oversight while also delivering direct therapeutic work with men experiencing suicidal crisis and their supporter(s). You will play a key role in supporting the clinical team to deliver our unique intervention and to co-produce effective, individualised safety plans to help men remain safe.
This role requires an experienced mental health professional or therapist with a strong background in suicide prevention, excellent risk assessment and formulation skills, and demonstrable experience of supervision, line management, and leadership. Training, induction, and ongoing support will be provided by the Head of Centre and the wider James Place team.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Senior Clinical Duties
Work as a duty therapist to triage and assess suitability of James Place referrals daily
Take full clinical responsibility of the men under James Place care, as a co-leader of the clinical team and in consultation with Head of Centre
Lead and support peer support sessions, caseload discussions and reflective practice with the team
Create an environment in which confidentiality, privacy and dignity are respected and be clear with clients about limits of confidentiality
Deputise for the Head of Centre when required
Clinical
Conduct initial Welcome Assessments with men in a suicidal crisis, assessing risk and the suitability of the James Place intervention and co-producing effective safety plans
Deliver our therapeutic intervention, building trust and exploring the reasons for crisis
Use the Lay Your Cards on the Table intervention to encourage men to talk about and explore their feelings, attitudes and behaviours and develop positive coping strategies
Escalate care to appropriate services when necessary, including emergency services and secondary mental health teams
Deliver one-off guidance sessions to supporters of men under the James Place care
Work collaboratively with other professionals to coordinate comprehensive care
Undergo clinical supervision with a qualified supervisor to reflect on clinical work and raise any issues or concerns arising from work
Remain up to date with developments in law, theories and research
Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical standards
Complete session notes in a timely and effective manner
Participate in continuous professional development and engage in training provided both internally and externally
Support the Clinical Administration team as and when necessary
Leadership and Management
Manage, support and lead Suicide Prevention Therapists, encouraging staff to develop and grow
Conduct regular probation reviews, monthly 1:1s and annual Personal Development Reviews with staff
Conduct therapist case reviews to ensure work is completed safely, effectively and in accordance with James Place policies and procedures
Confidently identify and sensitively communicate areas for development and conduct performance management reviews when necessary
Demonstrate and promote self-awareness and regularly dedicate time and space, inside and outside of work, to keeping yourself and the team well
Provide support to access training and other developmental activities
Support staff wellbeing
Outreach and Engagement
Work alongside the Head of Centre to actively increase contact with local community organisations able to refer to us or offer move on support for men completing our intervention
Support the fundraising team to bring potential supporters into our building and showcase our work, including the facilitation of events
Values
Demonstrate commitment to the James Place values of Focus, Bravery, Respect, Compassion, Professionalism, Collaboration and Hope through all aspects of work
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The role requires someone with a relevant qualification who can confidently lead a team and support men experiencing a suicidal crisis. You will need to be able to effectively conduct risk assessments and deliver our clinically proven therapeutic intervention to ensure client safety. Strong therapeutic communication, the ability to work autonomously and teamwork skills are also essential to this role, as well as the ability to build trust and hope.
Essential
Qualification(s)
A Core Profession such as Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker, counselling or practitioner psychologist registered with NMC, HCPC, or Social Work England
or
Accreditation as a psychological therapist, psychotherapist, or counsellor registered with BACP, UKCP, BABCP or equivalent, or have completed training and awaiting accreditation
You must hold a relevant qualification to be considered for this role.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Experience of leading, supervising and developing a team or others
Experience of holding supervision, reflective practice and/or case management with colleagues
Experience of decision making, when asked by colleagues for advice and support
Experience of triaging referrals and demonstrating accountability for decisions made
Experience of modelling best practice to others and working to address issues of performance and competency when they arise
Commitment to continued professional development and can evidence additional learning since completion of core training
Demonstrable experience working with adults experiencing acute psychological distress
Demonstrable knowledge of social and other factors which could lead to suicidal thinking and actions
Demonstrable knowledge of the factors contributing to male suicide
Evidence of being able to deliver a therapeutic session and work in a therapeutic environment
Effective communication skills (both written and verbal)
Good interpersonal skills with the ability to manage difficult situations
Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic interventions
An ability to collaborate with clients in the development of a person centred, individual intervention plan
An ability to engage clients in the intervention plan, overcoming barriers to communication
Ability to conduct effective risk assessments and collaborative safety plans with men who are presenting with high risk of suicide, or be willing and able to learn how to do so
Ability to identify if the James Place service is not adequate to maintain the person s safety and facilitate rapid transfer to the most appropriate service
Ability to maintain boundaries within a time-limited intervention
Ability to work as an effective team member
Ability to manage and prioritise own workload, using own initiative and confidence in decision making
Strong time management
Ability to maintain up to date client records in line with James Place standards
Ability to maintain own personal safety and the safety of others within the centre
Knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding Procedures
Values
Commitment to clinical supervision
Ability to engage with James Place values
Ability to promote people s equality, diversity and rights
Ability to work collaboratively and demonstrate commitment to co-production
Ability to be transparent, honest and show discretion when needed
Commitment to suicide prevention and working with men in a suicidal crisis
Willingness to cover Head of Centre delegated duties when needed (e.g. leave and other absence)
WE OFFER . click apply for full job details
Job Title: Senior Suicide Prevention Therapist
Salary: c.£38,000 per annum pro rata, plus 15% ILW
Hours: 22.5 hours over 3 days per week Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: London
Reports to: Head of Centre
THE CHARITY
Suicide is the leading cause of death of men under 35 and three quarters of those who die by suicide are men. James Place exists to save the lives of men in suicidal crisis through delivering clinical services. We are a charity currently offering free, life-saving therapy to suicidal men at our centres in Liverpool, London and Newcastle.
James Place was set up by Clare Milford Haven and Nick Wentworth-Stanley in 2008 after their twenty-one-year-old son, James, died by suicide ten days after a minor operation. James had no history of mental illness or depression and had sought urgent help for anxiety and suicidal thoughts but didn t find it.
James' Place was set up to make the experience of finding help as easy as possible. We offer men who are experiencing a suicidal crisis a brief, intensive, therapeutic intervention in a safe environment. Men who walk through the door at James Place will be in a space where they feel valued and respected. We provide a calm and peaceful environment both inside the centres and in our outside spaces, accessible to men who visit us as well as their friends and families. We have so far treated over 4,300 men who might otherwise have been unable to access the support they desperately need.
In early 2026 we will be opening our fourth centre in Birmingham. Our new centre in Birmingham will be there to support suicidal men living in the West Midlands.
THE OPPORTUNITY
As a Senior Suicide Prevention Therapist, you will work closely with the Head of Centre to provide strong clinical leadership and oversight while also delivering direct therapeutic work with men experiencing suicidal crisis and their supporter(s). You will play a key role in supporting the clinical team to deliver our unique intervention and to co-produce effective, individualised safety plans to help men remain safe.
This role requires an experienced mental health professional or therapist with a strong background in suicide prevention, excellent risk assessment and formulation skills, and demonstrable experience of supervision, line management, and leadership. Training, induction, and ongoing support will be provided by the Head of Centre and the wider James Place team.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Senior Clinical Duties
Work as a duty therapist to triage and assess suitability of James Place referrals daily
Take full clinical responsibility of the men under James Place care, as a co-leader of the clinical team and in consultation with Head of Centre
Lead and support peer support sessions, caseload discussions and reflective practice with the team
Create an environment in which confidentiality, privacy and dignity are respected and be clear with clients about limits of confidentiality
Deputise for the Head of Centre when required
Clinical
Conduct initial Welcome Assessments with men in a suicidal crisis, assessing risk and the suitability of the James Place intervention and co-producing effective safety plans
Deliver our therapeutic intervention, building trust and exploring the reasons for crisis
Use the Lay Your Cards on the Table intervention to encourage men to talk about and explore their feelings, attitudes and behaviours and develop positive coping strategies
Escalate care to appropriate services when necessary, including emergency services and secondary mental health teams
Deliver one-off guidance sessions to supporters of men under the James Place care
Work collaboratively with other professionals to coordinate comprehensive care
Undergo clinical supervision with a qualified supervisor to reflect on clinical work and raise any issues or concerns arising from work
Remain up to date with developments in law, theories and research
Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical standards
Complete session notes in a timely and effective manner
Participate in continuous professional development and engage in training provided both internally and externally
Support the Clinical Administration team as and when necessary
Leadership and Management
Manage, support and lead Suicide Prevention Therapists, encouraging staff to develop and grow
Conduct regular probation reviews, monthly 1:1s and annual Personal Development Reviews with staff
Conduct therapist case reviews to ensure work is completed safely, effectively and in accordance with James Place policies and procedures
Confidently identify and sensitively communicate areas for development and conduct performance management reviews when necessary
Demonstrate and promote self-awareness and regularly dedicate time and space, inside and outside of work, to keeping yourself and the team well
Provide support to access training and other developmental activities
Support staff wellbeing
Outreach and Engagement
Work alongside the Head of Centre to actively increase contact with local community organisations able to refer to us or offer move on support for men completing our intervention
Support the fundraising team to bring potential supporters into our building and showcase our work, including the facilitation of events
Values
Demonstrate commitment to the James Place values of Focus, Bravery, Respect, Compassion, Professionalism, Collaboration and Hope through all aspects of work
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The role requires someone with a relevant qualification who can confidently lead a team and support men experiencing a suicidal crisis. You will need to be able to effectively conduct risk assessments and deliver our clinically proven therapeutic intervention to ensure client safety. Strong therapeutic communication, the ability to work autonomously and teamwork skills are also essential to this role, as well as the ability to build trust and hope.
Essential
Qualification(s)
A Core Profession such as Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker, counselling or practitioner psychologist registered with NMC, HCPC, or Social Work England
or
Accreditation as a psychological therapist, psychotherapist, or counsellor registered with BACP, UKCP, BABCP or equivalent, or have completed training and awaiting accreditation
You must hold a relevant qualification to be considered for this role.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Experience of leading, supervising and developing a team or others
Experience of holding supervision, reflective practice and/or case management with colleagues
Experience of decision making, when asked by colleagues for advice and support
Experience of triaging referrals and demonstrating accountability for decisions made
Experience of modelling best practice to others and working to address issues of performance and competency when they arise
Commitment to continued professional development and can evidence additional learning since completion of core training
Demonstrable experience working with adults experiencing acute psychological distress
Demonstrable knowledge of social and other factors which could lead to suicidal thinking and actions
Demonstrable knowledge of the factors contributing to male suicide
Evidence of being able to deliver a therapeutic session and work in a therapeutic environment
Effective communication skills (both written and verbal)
Good interpersonal skills with the ability to manage difficult situations
Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic interventions
An ability to collaborate with clients in the development of a person centred, individual intervention plan
An ability to engage clients in the intervention plan, overcoming barriers to communication
Ability to conduct effective risk assessments and collaborative safety plans with men who are presenting with high risk of suicide, or be willing and able to learn how to do so
Ability to identify if the James Place service is not adequate to maintain the person s safety and facilitate rapid transfer to the most appropriate service
Ability to maintain boundaries within a time-limited intervention
Ability to work as an effective team member
Ability to manage and prioritise own workload, using own initiative and confidence in decision making
Strong time management
Ability to maintain up to date client records in line with James Place standards
Ability to maintain own personal safety and the safety of others within the centre
Knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding Procedures
Values
Commitment to clinical supervision
Ability to engage with James Place values
Ability to promote people s equality, diversity and rights
Ability to work collaboratively and demonstrate commitment to co-production
Ability to be transparent, honest and show discretion when needed
Commitment to suicide prevention and working with men in a suicidal crisis
Willingness to cover Head of Centre delegated duties when needed (e.g. leave and other absence)
WE OFFER . click apply for full job details
About James' Place