Placement opportunities
Our Placements
Volunteer Trainee Counsellor placements are essential to a counsellor's journey to becoming qualified. For the future of our community's mental health to be strong, we have to support and nurture our trainees through this challenging period while allowing them space to grow.
We are a placement provider with a difference. Your training, safety, and support are our priority. We bridge the knowledge gap between your learning institute and real-world post-qualifying experiences.
Our client base is very diverse, and you will be able to work with a wide range of issues and concerns with adults aged 18 and over. We work across all three methods of contact: telephone, video, and face-to-face.
Our training is delivered over video to ensure anyone can attend and participate regardless of distance or physical ability. We welcome all applicants to our diverse and inclusive training package. Please let us know if you require any amendments to support your learning journey, and we can create your support plan together.
We are proud to be the change we wish to see.
We provide
- 6 days of in-depth training unique to Ratcliffe & Brown.
- Training certificate for our unique training package straight away.
- We provide group supervision free each month.
- We can provide private supervision if needed.
- The opportunity to attend our unique counselling retreats.
- You will have the full support of our clinical supervisor and the safeguarding officer 24/7.
- Our management team comprises qualified counsellors, crisis workers, and supervisors. You are in safe hands.
Video and telephone counselling is available across the country. Face-to-face counselling is available only to our placement students in Cornwall. Our main base is located at the Penryn University Campus in Cornwall.
We have a rolling recruitment plan each year. Please follow us on Facebook (@ratcliffeandbrowncic) to be notified as soon as vacancies open.
Next Vacancy: Volunteer Trainee Counsellors
Open Date: 1 December 2025
Closing Date: 31st January 2026
Interview Dates: 18/2/26, 19/2/26, 25/2/26, 26/2/26, 4/3/26, 5/3/26.
If your application is received before the vacancy starts, we will hold it on file until it opens. To apply, please click below.
Our latest training dates are below.
Please note the dates and ensure you are available to attend the training. Our training gives you the tools you need to enter your placement and counselling work confidently. If any training is missed, you must complete it on the next training set before beginning your client work.
All training packages are created by one of our experienced Founders, Rachel Ratcliffe.
Training Plan - Winter 2026 applicants
Day 1: Onboarding - Monday 16th March 2026
Day 2: Ethics & Safeguarding - Monday 23rd March 2026
Day 3: Domestic Violence - Monday 30th March 2026
Day 4: The Cost of War - Monday 6th April 2026
Day 5: Life After Loss Training Package - Monday 13th April 2026
Day 6: Life After Loss Training Package - Monday 20th April 2026
Training days are normally 10am - 4pm
Second Winter Training Set 2026 applicants
Day 1: Onboarding - Thursday 19th March 2026
Day 2: Ethics & Safeguarding - Thursday 26th March 2026
Day 3: Domestic Violence - Thursday 2ndApril 2026
Day 4: The Cost of War - Thursday 9th April 2026
Day 5: Life After Loss Training Package - Thursday 16th April 2026
Day 6: Life After Loss Training Package - Thursday 23rd April 2026
Training days are normally 10am - 4pm
Please confirm if you cannot make any of the training dates at the interview. If you cannot make two or more training dates, we will not be able to offer you a placement on this set.
If you wish to attend the training without engaging in a placement, there is an option on the application form to confirm this. You will not be required to attend an interview for this option.
