Job purpose:
The post holder is expected to support the University to respond to wellbeing challenges and work collaboratively with services on and off campus to ensure that students have access to appropriate resources and services that support them to achieve their academic and personal goals. The post roles will include face to face and online interventions and, where appropriate, psychoeducational workshops that will assist students to develop skills to manage and maintain their mental health and wellbeing.
Main Responsibilities:
- Acting as the first point of contact and work with students presenting in person, by email and by phone offering emotional and practical support by:
- promoting the provision of specialist support and referral;
- maintaining a caseload providing a 1-3 sessions model as well as a smaller caseload of longer-term solution focused mental health advice;
- offering mental health advice and practical assistance to students on a monthly to six weekly bases, including liaison with internal and external services and staff.
- Supporting the development of self-management skills with students who require support with issues such as anxiety, panic attacks, dealing with phobias, or procrastination by (if qualified) offering Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) type interventions or other therapeutic approaches. The support also includes working with students to develop comprehensive intervention and support plans; carrying out thorough mental health assessments and making referrals to other health professionals as appropriate.
- Together with colleagues, ensuring best practices and support for students presenting with mental health difficulties ensuring that the University meets its ‘duty of care’ responsibilities and agreed processes are implemented. This includes taking part in clinical service meetings where complex cases are discussed and presented to ensure safe and ethical practice.
- Conducting in-depth student assessment and oversee and steer a care plan for students considering all aspects of their life as a student. With reference to the service safeguarding framework, designing a response and care program for those experiencing a mental health crisis, and carrying out risk assessments (risk to self or others).
- Acting as a first point of contact and advising in mental health emergency situations. The role holder should take a casework approach in responding to crisis for students causing significant concern, and implement emergency and safeguarding procedures while reviewing and evaluating the student’s progress.
- Contributing to the delivery of a groupwork and workshop programs; with focus on psycho-education, mental health and wellbeing of students. The role holder may also occasionally deliver staff training in support of skills and increased mental wellbeing awareness.
- Actively liaising and setting up links and referral pathways with relevant third-party providers to ensure that the students have access to the most appropriate support. The role holder may also Liaise when necessary with students and those involved with their care, as appropriate, during periods of temporary withdrawal.
- Together with management and in accordance with service guidance, the role holder may take a lead role in safeguarding overview within the service, advising practitioners and colleagues on safeguarding matters such as suicide prevention, mental health crisis, vulnerable adult and child protection matters. As a clinical lead participate, and when required, the role holder may lead at referral meetings to make decisions regarding student support options for students with multiple needs and complexities.
- Supporting students in negotiating time out or moving to more appropriate modes of study. Moreover, with the consent of the student, liaising with academic staff to make use of extenuating circumstances ‘fit to sit’ regulations and provide support statements for students in academic appeals.
- Developing and strengthening existing service guidance and protocols and ensuring service professionalism and ethical practice is upheld.
- Ensuring that the students with pre-existing conditions are well-supported through liaison with relevant Disability & Inclusion Advisers regarding reasonable adjustments to provide students with organizational and study skills support.
- Maintaining thorough, accurate and up-to-date client case notes and statistics while ensuring compliance with the Code of Confidentiality and professional standards
In addition to the main duties indicated here, the post holder may be required to perform other duties assigned by the university management from time to time. Such duties will be reasonable and be in line with the post holder’s skills, experience and grade
Requirements:
Qualifications
- Educated to degree level or equivalent.
- A professional qualification in a related field such as mental health nursing, social work, counselling psychology or mental health occupational therapy
Experience
- 7+ years of experience in wellbeing services and psychology, higher education administration, preferable in universities or educational institutes in general.
- experience in delivering one to one mental health support to individuals, including experience of conducting an in-depth assessment of clients presenting with complex needs, risk and crisis.
- Experience of providing mental health advice and health promotion.
- Experience of working in a clinical team setting. Experience of advising on safeguarding matters.
- Experience in delivering successful group programs such as psychoeducational workshops and/or therapeutic group work
Skills/Personal Requirements
- Ability to convey an understanding of contemporary student experience and the challenges - and mental health challenges in particular students face in higher education.
- Thorough knowledge of mental health issues, services, practices, provision and legislation
- Ability to undertake mental health assessment including where there is a risk to self or others.
- Understanding and ability to work with trauma and trauma responses.
- Thorough understanding of Child and Adult Protection frameworks and experience of communicating risk issues in written form
- Demonstrable ability to provide advice, guidance and support to students with mental health difficulties.
- Demonstrable ability to manage a caseload and maintain confidential records
- Ability to maintain and report on service data and statistics.
- Up to date knowledge and experience of external agencies and/ or experience of setting up referral pathways.
- Excellent IT, interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
- Excellent organizational and administrative skills. Ability to work as part of a team.
- Ability to demonstrate self-care and psychological resilience.
- Ability to work across campuses and on occasion to work flexible hours including occasional evening and weekend work.
- Commitment to high service standards, professional conduct and to upholding the University’s values and behaviors.
To apply kindly, send your CV to [email protected] , mention the job title in the subject line.
Deadline for receiving applications is 15/05/2022