Support for Study Mental Health Advisor

About the role:

The Support for Study pathway incorporates Stages 1, 2, and 3. The first two of these stages are for early or emerging concerns about a student’s engagement or progress, which may be connected to mental health, welfare or wellbeing issues; these meetings are student-directed and Faculty-based. The third stage is led by the specialist SfS team within SSWS and supported by other SSWS services, such as colleagues from Welfare and Disability Support & Inclusion, alongside Faculty colleagues. Almost all students who are seen at Stage 3 SfS, and a significant number at Stage 2, are experiencing difficulties with their mental health and wellbeing.

The role is for a mental health advisor to assist SfS Panel colleagues in understanding the support needs of students who are referred for meetings at Stage 3, but also to help Faculty colleagues, including the Designated Safeguarding Officers, in supporting students at some Stage 2 meetings. The primary purpose of the role is to attend these meetings, speak with students about any current mental health issues, relevant history and their current or planned support, and make recommendations to the Panel, or to the student and colleagues, as to potential avenues for additional support, and any concerns around risks to the safety of a student, or others, as a result of current unwellness.

The role will involve carrying out dynamic mental health risk assessments and supporting colleagues and students to understand the implications of any mental health issues on their current plans for their studies and accommodation, as well as considering what support would be needed to give them the greatest chance of continuing safely and successfully.

This is a part-time post and you will be offered a contract until 30th July 2027.

About you:

Essential criteria

1. Relevant work experience and/or education: Relevant work experience might include work in Student (Further or Higher Education) Counselling Services, the NHS or with Third Sector Mental Health Providers.
2. Relevant educational experience will include a clinical mental health training leading to accreditation with a professional registering body such as UMHAN, NMC, BPS, BACP, HCPC, UKCP or BABCP.
3. Experience of undertaking mental health risk assessment management, including standardized assessment protocols and relevant clinical outcome measures, and the confidence to make dynamic decisions and support plans.
4. Experience of working with neurodiverse individuals experiencing mental health difficulties to consider support needs and safety planning.
5. Experience of attending case conferences or other multi-disciplinary discussions for individuals presenting with a wide range of mental health difficulties.
6. Experience of referring cases into NHS and voluntary sector bodies and working closely with such services on complex cases.
7. Confidence with managing sensitive personal data in line with GDPR regulations.
8. Excellent IT and administration skills, including administrative self-sufficiency.
9. You will possess specialist knowledge of issues relating to student mental health, including the assessment and management of risk, mental health assessment, crisis management and external referral of cases where appropriate.

Desirable criteria

1. Post-qualification training in specific mental health conditions or interventions.
2. Experience of working in a HE institution.
3. Experience of triage and treatment planning for individual cases.
4. Experience of delivering training, workshops and presentations.
5. Expert knowledge of the mental health issues and support needs of students and/or young adults, including legislation surrounding mental health.