Published 2026-04-14 • Category: Finding a Placement • Author: CounsellingPlacements.co.uk
An honorary placement or honorary contract is a formal arrangement where you work within an NHS organisation — or an NHS-affiliated service — without payment. The term refers to your contractual status: not an employee, but holding a formal position that gives you access to clinical settings, NHS systems, and NHS supervision.
Honorary contracts exist because the NHS cannot simply offer ad hoc access to clinical settings. The contract ensures you are vetted, covered by the organisation's governance framework, and subject to the same policies as staff.
What to expect with an honorary contract: * Enhanced DBS check (if you do not already have a current one) * Evidence of professional indemnity insurance * NHS mandatory training — online modules covering information governance, fire safety, and safeguarding * Signing a formal honorary contract with the trust or organisation * Attendance at an induction and compliance with clinical governance requirements
The process can take several weeks, so apply earlier than you would for a standard placement.
How to find honorary placements: Your training course may have existing NHS relationships — ask your placement coordinator. NHS Talking Therapies services sometimes advertise positions on trust jobs pages. Larger charities closely partnered with NHS trusts may also offer honorary arrangements.