R220640 – Mental Health Specialist

£35,333 to £42,155
per annum
Grade:  Grade 08
Contract Type: 
Continuing
Basis: 
Full Time
Closing Date:  23.59 hours BST on Sunday 23 October 2022
Interview Date: 
Thursday 03 November 2022
Reference:  R220640
Release Date:  Friday 30 September 2022

Student Welfare at Aston University is undergoing an exciting period of growth across key teams within the directorate, with bold and innovative thinking to enhance the student experience as well as a data-informed approach at the heart of all that we do. Our vision is to enhance our inclusive, caring and supportive community to enable our students manage any issues that affect their ability to study and develop a better student experience.

The Mental Health & Wellbeing team is an important and essential part of this offer and comprises of expert mental health and wellbeing staff, providing a safe, confidential and non-judgmental space in which our students can discuss and seek support for any issues that may be affecting their ability to study.

You will work alongside other Mental Health Specialists with support from Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisors and in partnership with colleagues from the broader Student Welfare directorate which includes the Counselling service, Disability & Academic Support team, the Chaplaincy, Residential Experience & Support, and the Student Support team. You will work collaboratively with other colleagues across Student Welfare as well as the wider University.

Alongside initial contact and screening services, you will be expected to work with a designated caseload of students and deliver evidence-based interventions in 1:1 and group settings. The service also provides support to students in crisis which will involve you liaising with external statutory bodies as needed. Aston University Mental Health and Wellbeing services do not provide statutory mental health services and as such, we are complimentary to existing NHS and social care support.

To apply for this post, you will be a professionally qualified mental health professional, such as a Registered Mental Health Nurse, Mental Health Social Worker or Occupational Therapist with experience in mental health. You must have current registration with a relevant professional body. You should have a background of working in a clinical capacity within a mental health setting for at least two years since gaining professional registration, ideally this will include significant experience of working with young adults from diverse backgrounds with complex and varied mental health needs. Experience of developing or delivering psychoeducational sessions in a group format would be an advantage.

For informal discussions relating to this post please contact Lee Johnson, Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing, on [email protected]

Anonymous shortlisting will be carried out for this role as part of Aston University’s commitment to equality and diversity and ensuring a fair and consistent approach to recruitment. Personal details that are included on application forms, including the candidate’s name and address will not be disclosed to the shortlisting panel. We kindly ask that candidates do not send CVs or cover letters as these will not be considered.

A satisfactory enhanced DBS check is required for this role.

Interviews are to be held November 3rd 2022.  

Aston University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.  It promotes equality and diversity in all aspects of its work. We are committed to the principles of the Athena SWAN Charter http://www.ecu.ac.uk/equality-charter-marks/athena-swan/ , recognised by a silver award, and we are a Disability Confident Employer Level 2. We strive to have robust inclusivity strategies in place, including race and sexual orientation, to encourage colleagues to have the confidence and freedom to be themselves in the workplace. For more information, visit: https://www2.aston.ac.uk/about/inclusive-aston

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

If you require the job details document or an application form in an alternative format please contact the recruitment team at [email protected]