The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.
The Role and Department
The Counselling & Mental Health Service is a multi-disciplinary central specialist service for student and staff mental health and wellbeing provision in the University. It sits within the Student Support and Wellbeing Directorate. The Service provides individual and group interventions, advice for College and academic department staff, complex case-management, and the development and delivery of psychological wellbeing initiatives. The Service exists to enable students to make the most of the academic and social opportunities that the University affords, and operates within ethical and professional guidelines.
Mental Health Advisors play a key role in managing the increasing incidence of student mental health issues, the increasing numbers of students pre- disclosing mental health disabilities and the management of complex mental health risk across the University. Mental Health Advisors are members of the Counselling & Mental Health Service but work closely with colleagues in Disability Support, academic departments and our Colleges.
The primary purpose of the role is to ensure assessment and coordination of student support need, linking University and community-based health support. The post holder will provide advice to students to ensure that they obtain the appropriate treatment, support and, where applicable, the necessary reasonable adjustments. The post holder will undertake assessment of students’ fitness to study and support needs where there is a concern regarding their mental wellbeing, including fitness to participate in offsite activity such as field trips. The post-holder will initiate and lead or participate in multidisciplinary support meetings.
Mental Health Advisors also offer guidance to all members of University staff on the management of complex mental health need and risks.
We provide independent supervision, and continuing professional development opportunities, for all staff in our Service to ensure compliance with professional registration.
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:
- 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
- The University closes between Christmas and New Year
- We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
- No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
- There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
- Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
- Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
- The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
- Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
- A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
- If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
Qualifications/Experience
Five GCSE's at at least grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent experience)Professional qualification as a Registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, or Occupational Therapist with significant relevant mental health experience.
Current ongoing registration with a regulated professional body such as the NMC or Social Work England (see Guidance on regulated professions: UK regulated professions and their regulators - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Evidence of continuing professional development required to maintain professional registration.
Professional practitioner with expertise and experience in assessment of mental health and risks, and autonomous case-management or care coordination of individuals at mental health risk.*
Experience of mental health crisis-management.
Experience of implementing policy and procedures and ability to contribute to planning at an operational level.
Experience of working with difference, including individuals with a range of different backgrounds, disabilities and protected characteristics.
Experience of providing mental health advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
Experience of being able to network effectively and work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary service.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge- Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
- Excellent digital competence with demonstrable skills across a range digital devices and apps including internet, email, digital records systems, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking systems.
- Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines, and knowledge of current relevant legislation in the higher education sector.
- Knowledge of NHS and other sector mental health services and referral mechanisms.
How to Apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
What you need to submit
- A CV: and
- A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. Please number each section of your document with the essential criteria.
Contact details
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Kate Augarde, Head of Service, at [email protected].
Typical Role Requirements
Service Delivery/Development
- Provide short-term interventions and advice to students with mental health difficulties;
Provide advice, guidance and oversight of complex student cases for University staff;
- Coordinate, run and document student mental health support meetings.
- Manage a caseload of students to ensure a consistent, coordinated and professional approach to high-risk, chronic and complex student mental health difficulty.
- Support students with referral into and discharge from NHS services;
Assist in the coordination of a University-wide response to a crisis situation;
- Maintain accurate and timely records of support and ongoing actions, ensuring that all records comply with data protection legislation and professional standards;
Conduct all work within relevant legislation, professional codes of conduct, and Service policies and procedures.
- Contribute to the delivery of activities that generate external income.
Act-up in the absence of Service Heads to manage service-delivery
- Demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
Planning and Organisation
- Contribute to service-development, design and review of service processes, and continuous improvement including innovation and project work
- Contribute to collection and analysis of service-user outcomes and feedback to review and improve services.
- Manage and monitor service performance and provide metrics and reports to Service Heads, making recommendations as appropriate to identify successful delivery and areas for future improvement.
- Contribute to the development of operational and strategic plans and service level agreements.
Communication/Liaison
- Internal and external relationship-development, networking and partnership working
- Contribute to and lead working groups and sub-committees at departmental and operational service levels.
- Engaging with case-management and practice supervision;
- Consult with colleagues in Disability Support with respect to identifying reasonable adjustments consistent with disability legislation.
- Participate in communities of practice and partnership working internally and externally, including GPs and NHS mental health services, to ensure seamless student mental health pathways
Attend CPD activities and maintain ongoing professional registration throughout employment in the role.
Present training, service updates and guidance to staff groups.
Knowledge and Experience
- Professional practitioner and service specialist.
- Maintain an awareness of University policy and procedure and professional practice requirements.
- Any other reasonable duties.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
