Job summary
Here at the University of Bolton, we are proud of our growing reputation as a student focused University. With our strategy of Teaching Intensive, Research Informed, Assessment Enabled learning we are committed to offering our students the best experience possible. We are looking for a Mental Health Advisor to join the Student Services & Experience Directorate to deliver mental health support and undertake mental health assessments with students accessing the University Student Mental health and Wellbeing Service, the Life Lounge.
The successful candidate will be expected to
- manage a caseload of students, where the nature of work can be complex, rapid and unpredictable, utilising time limited evidenced based interventions for a wide range of mental health difficulties. The role will involve working with complex cases, including students who may self-harm, have suicidal ideation or may have attempted suicide
- manage the risks to self and others, when there may be no other mental health professional support available
- liaise with academic schools and relevant student facing services in developing strategies to promote a positive student experience and improved attainment and progression for students with mental health difficulties
- undertake mental health assessments and create safety plans for students
- fulfil the role of Senior Designated Safeguarding Championfor which full training will be provided.
Main duties of the job
To manage a caseload of students, where the nature of work can be complex, rapid and unpredictable, utilising time limited evidenced based interventions for a wide range of mental health difficulties. The role will involve working with complex cases, including students who may self-harm, have suicidal ideation or may have attempted suicide.
To work as part of a team in Student Services to deliver effective student support services.
Liaise with academic schools and relevant student facing services in developing strategies to promote a positive student experience and improved attainment and progression for students with mental health difficulties.
Provide information, advice and guidance to students throughout the student journey from preapplication to post-graduation. Supporting those students who are eligible in securing Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) and linking with the Disability Service to ensure students engage with their recommended support.
Build strong links with NHS and other external organisations, playing a key role in coordinating a network of support services. When appropriate, sharing issues of concern with GPs and statutory services.
About us
We ask a lot from our staff but in return, you will receive a competitive benefits package including access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, an employee benefits scheme and generous annual leave entitlement. As a small University, you will have opportunities to work with colleagues across campus to support and deliver the best student experience possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Provide support to individual students by providing specialist guidance in relation to mental health and wellbeing.
- Keep accurate, timely and confidential records in accordance with current practice within Student Services.
- The role will be one of several Senior Designated Safeguarding Champions (SDSC) and as such will respond to safeguarding referrals, take ownership of cases and liaise and refer to appropriate external organisations in accordance with University policy and procedures.
- Maintain positive professional relationships with key University staff and external service providers, including GPs and other NHS practitioners, to ensure a partnership approach to reducing barriers to successful academic progression for individual students.
- Offer a standardised, comprehensive and robust mental health assessment to all students referred to the service, providing a triage facility to determine the most appropriate intervention, including whether an urgent response is required and where further support would be best offered.
- To manage the risks to self and others, when there may be no other mental health professional support available.
- To work collaboratively with service colleagues (including but not limited to counselling, disability, student finance team) and academic colleagues, to assess, agree and provide the best course of action for each case and proactively monitor progress. This could include recommending to academic colleagues the implementation of the Health, Wellbeing and Supported Study Policy or Fitness to Practice Policy and then attending any appropriate meeting or hearing relevant to the student.
- Keep abreast of developments and legislation both internally and externally to enable accurate and relevant advice and guidance is given to colleagues. Keep up to date with best practice in relation to students with mental health conditions in line with Student Services strategic plan and current legislation.
- Attend local and regional meetings, hold professional memberships such as the University Mental Health Advisers Network (UMHAN) and take an active part in relevant jiscmail groups.
- Liaise with colleagues on practical arrangements for individual students in support of their studies via circulation of written guidance, notification of individual requirements and one-to-one meetings.
- Deal effectively and timely with a variety of telephone and written enquiries from prospective students, their representatives, members of staff and students of the University.
- Develop and deliver mental health and wellbeing training to colleagues across the University and to assist with the delivery of disability awareness training sessions.
- Actively contribute to moving the service forward, by attending staff meetings, taking part in case reviews and discussions, and taking an active role in team development and establishing new initiatives. This will include taking ownership of projects related to student mental health and wellbeing.
- To advise students on how their mental health difficulties may affect their learning, signpost to other appropriate internal and external services. e.g. local mental health services.
- Contributing to the production of self-help materials, information sheets, and online resources for students, updating the information for the Life Lounge and Disability Services webpages, contributing to relevant social media campaigns. Focusing on early intervention techniques and self-help strategies.
- Assist in the preparation of reports and statistics for the Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager and analyse and interpret data collected relevant to the service and Customer Satisfaction.
- Staff may be required, from time to time and on an ad hoc basis, to work additional hours and/or hours outside of their normal working pattern to meet the needs of the service.
- To work flexibly as part of the wider Student Services team, working across other teams, working evenings and weekends when required to assist with open days and welcome and induction events.
- Ensure and maintain integrity and confidentiality of data and associated data protection requirements in line with statutory and corporate requirements.
- Preserve the confidential nature of the services provided to individuals. Working to ensure services meet the needs of customers and full the Universitys duty of care to others.
- Ensure a safe working environment and abide by the University health and safety policies and practise and to observe the Universitys Equal Opportunities policy and Dignity and Work policy at all times.
- Awareness of environmental and sustainability issues and a commitment to the Universitys associated strategy with respect to the performance / delivery of key responsibilities of the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Provide support to individual students by providing specialist guidance in relation to mental health and wellbeing.
- Keep accurate, timely and confidential records in accordance with current practice within Student Services.
- The role will be one of several Senior Designated Safeguarding Champions (SDSC) and as such will respond to safeguarding referrals, take ownership of cases and liaise and refer to appropriate external organisations in accordance with University policy and procedures.
- Maintain positive professional relationships with key University staff and external service providers, including GPs and other NHS practitioners, to ensure a partnership approach to reducing barriers to successful academic progression for individual students.
- Offer a standardised, comprehensive and robust mental health assessment to all students referred to the service, providing a triage facility to determine the most appropriate intervention, including whether an urgent response is required and where further support would be best offered.
- To manage the risks to self and others, when there may be no other mental health professional support available.
- To work collaboratively with service colleagues (including but not limited to counselling, disability, student finance team) and academic colleagues, to assess, agree and provide the best course of action for each case and proactively monitor progress. This could include recommending to academic colleagues the implementation of the Health, Wellbeing and Supported Study Policy or Fitness to Practice Policy and then attending any appropriate meeting or hearing relevant to the student.
- Keep abreast of developments and legislation both internally and externally to enable accurate and relevant advice and guidance is given to colleagues. Keep up to date with best practice in relation to students with mental health conditions in line with Student Services strategic plan and current legislation.
- Attend local and regional meetings, hold professional memberships such as the University Mental Health Advisers Network (UMHAN) and take an active part in relevant jiscmail groups.
- Liaise with colleagues on practical arrangements for individual students in support of their studies via circulation of written guidance, notification of individual requirements and one-to-one meetings.
- Deal effectively and timely with a variety of telephone and written enquiries from prospective students, their representatives, members of staff and students of the University.
- Develop and deliver mental health and wellbeing training to colleagues across the University and to assist with the delivery of disability awareness training sessions.
- Actively contribute to moving the service forward, by attending staff meetings, taking part in case reviews and discussions, and taking an active role in team development and establishing new initiatives. This will include taking ownership of projects related to student mental health and wellbeing.
- To advise students on how their mental health difficulties may affect their learning, signpost to other appropriate internal and external services. e.g. local mental health services.
- Contributing to the production of self-help materials, information sheets, and online resources for students, updating the information for the Life Lounge and Disability Services webpages, contributing to relevant social media campaigns. Focusing on early intervention techniques and self-help strategies.
- Assist in the preparation of reports and statistics for the Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager and analyse and interpret data collected relevant to the service and Customer Satisfaction.
- Staff may be required, from time to time and on an ad hoc basis, to work additional hours and/or hours outside of their normal working pattern to meet the needs of the service.
- To work flexibly as part of the wider Student Services team, working across other teams, working evenings and weekends when required to assist with open days and welcome and induction events.
- Ensure and maintain integrity and confidentiality of data and associated data protection requirements in line with statutory and corporate requirements.
- Preserve the confidential nature of the services provided to individuals. Working to ensure services meet the needs of customers and full the Universitys duty of care to others.
- Ensure a safe working environment and abide by the University health and safety policies and practise and to observe the Universitys Equal Opportunities policy and Dignity and Work policy at all times.
- Awareness of environmental and sustainability issues and a commitment to the Universitys associated strategy with respect to the performance / delivery of key responsibilities of the role.
Person Specification
Skills / Knowledge
Essential
- - Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, demonstrating appropriate communication and advanced interpersonal skills both verbally and electronically.
- - Excellent time management and caseload management skills and experience of prioritising competing demands with minimum support
- - The Ability to deal calmly with students who may be difficult, distressed and/or demanding including high risk students who are experiencing suicidal ideation or who have attempted suicide
- - Knowledge of current mental health legislation/policy/best practice and experience of applying this knowledge to their job role
- - A working knowledge of statutory and non-statutory services in the local area to establish good working partnerships
- - Present information clearly, accurately and concisely to students and staff verbally and in writing. Maintaining accurate and relevant records of student interactions.
Qualifications
Essential
- - ECDL qualification or willing to work towards completing the qualification
- -Educated to degree level or equivalent with a relevant professional qualification in the field of mental health, for example:
- RMHN nursing degree or equivalent
- Diploma Mental Health Social Work
- -Mental Health First Aid qualification or a willingness to complete within 12 months
Desirable
- - Relevant Health and Safety qualification and/or experience/awareness of Health and Safety statutory and corporate requirements
- - Approved in their field e.g. valid NMC PIN Number or GSCC approved.
Experience
Essential
- - Credible post qualification experience working with individuals experiencing mental health difficulties including assessment of clients with complex needs, risk assessment and high risk/crisis management. Including supporting and managing cases where suicidal ideations are present.
- - Proven track record of maintaining a helpful and cooperative manner when dealing with difficult situations and working under pressure
- - Experience and understanding of Safeguarding Legislation and practices and PREVENT.
Desirable
- - Experience of working within a HE setting or with other student facing services
Person Specification
Skills / Knowledge
Essential
- - Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, demonstrating appropriate communication and advanced interpersonal skills both verbally and electronically.
- - Excellent time management and caseload management skills and experience of prioritising competing demands with minimum support
- - The Ability to deal calmly with students who may be difficult, distressed and/or demanding including high risk students who are experiencing suicidal ideation or who have attempted suicide
- - Knowledge of current mental health legislation/policy/best practice and experience of applying this knowledge to their job role
- - A working knowledge of statutory and non-statutory services in the local area to establish good working partnerships
- - Present information clearly, accurately and concisely to students and staff verbally and in writing. Maintaining accurate and relevant records of student interactions.
Qualifications
Essential
- - ECDL qualification or willing to work towards completing the qualification
- -Educated to degree level or equivalent with a relevant professional qualification in the field of mental health, for example:
- RMHN nursing degree or equivalent
- Diploma Mental Health Social Work
- -Mental Health First Aid qualification or a willingness to complete within 12 months
Desirable
- - Relevant Health and Safety qualification and/or experience/awareness of Health and Safety statutory and corporate requirements
- - Approved in their field e.g. valid NMC PIN Number or GSCC approved.
Experience
Essential
- - Credible post qualification experience working with individuals experiencing mental health difficulties including assessment of clients with complex needs, risk assessment and high risk/crisis management. Including supporting and managing cases where suicidal ideations are present.
- - Proven track record of maintaining a helpful and cooperative manner when dealing with difficult situations and working under pressure
- - Experience and understanding of Safeguarding Legislation and practices and PREVENT.
Desirable
- - Experience of working within a HE setting or with other student facing services
Additional information
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
