Counselling and Mental Health Manager (and Counselling Clinical Lead)

Counselling and Mental Health Manager (and Counselling Clinical Lead) INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

Full Time - Permanent - High Wycombe

Salary - £42,978 - £54,395

Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. That's why our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed.

Our University's DRIVE values and are at the heart of all that we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that you require.

The Counselling and Mental Health Manager (and Counselling Clinical Lead) will be responsible for ensuring the counselling and mental health provision is delivered effectively and efficiently. Reviewing services, monitoring the sector (HE & counselling/mental health) and enhancing/adapting services to meet student needs, promoting a culture of continual evaluation and improvement in practice. Managing the Counselling and Mental Health teams, but to also have an active caseload and actively support the department's response to crisis cases.

What we offer:

a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)

Hybrid working (dependant on business needs)

training & development support opportunities

contributory pension scheme

discounted gym membership for our on-site gym

a range of staff discounts with major retailers.

Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees. Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank. Please click here to view our employee handbook.

If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University's values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For further information about this role please contact Justin Bootland on [email protected].

All applications are to be made in full and online.

BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our aim is to continue to build an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU'S workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.

Closing Date: 31 March 2024

Interview Date: TBC

Please note that an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required for this position. The successful applicant will be required to give consent to check their criminal record status through the DBS. Information will be kept in strict confidence. Your offer of appointment will be subject to the University being satisfied with the outcome of this check.

If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process. The University is also committed to achieving the Race Equality Charter.

Location

High Wycombe

Contract Type

Permanent

Salary Range

£42,978 - £54,395

Hours per week

37

Closing Date

31/03/2024

Ref No

1529

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Counselling and Mental Health Manager (and Counselling Clinical Lead)

Faculty/Directorate: Student Success

Grade: H

Location: Based at High Wycombe with attendance required at Uxbridge and Aylesbury as needed

Hours: 37

Responsible to: Head of Disability & Inclusion

Responsible for:

3 Counsellors

Senior Mental Health Advisor

Job Purpose:

Responsible for ensuring the counselling and mental health provision is delivered effectively and efficiently. Reviewing services, monitoring the sector (HE & counselling/mental health) and enhancing/adapting services to meet student needs, promoting a culture of continual evaluation and improvement in practice. Managing the Counselling and Mental Health teams, but to also have an active caseload and actively support the department's response to crisis cases.

Lead a service that will act as a referral-point for students presenting with mental health issues, providing expert advice, support and problem-solving techniques for colleagues working with students who are experiencing mental health difficulties, maintaining and developing appropriate referral and sign- posting relationships, both internally and externally.

Provide excellent service and support students and help them realise their potential during their time at university, promoting the resilience and maintenance of positive mental health.

Main Duties & Responsibilities of the role:

Operationally and strategically lead the team regarding service delivery and strategic direction for the area, contributing to the strategic plan for the wider directorate and BNU's strategic objectives.

To manage a multi-disciplinary team, including Mental Health Advisers, counsellors, placement students and partners, fulfilling associated responsibilities, including PDRs and performance management.

Coordinate training and development of staff to support the maintenance of their relevant registrations, identify good practice, and support continuing professional development of self and the team.

To work collaboratively with colleagues and external parties e.g. other support service managers, academic colleagues, social care services, Psychiatrist, GPs, Bucks Mind, and other external suppliers/services. Build relationships with external organisations to build and enhance services available to BNU students.

Use BNU and other data to identifying gaps in support and research/develop action plans to fill those gaps, ultimately developing a varied portfolio of responsive and proactive services and resources to support students, including group sessions, online platforms, workshops and a variety or delivery options that will meet the needs of students.

To ensure the team adheres to the highest professional standards of clinical practice by complying with the BACP Ethical Framework and BNU procedures and provide necessary clinical oversight of all activities.

Ensure that the highest standards of clinical record keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance in accordance with professional codes of practice and service and university policies and procedures are followed by all.

Deliver/coordinate relevant training to students, colleagues in the directorate and the wider university to ensure best practice in mental health support and to aid non-specialist staff to support students, including suicide prevention, emotional intelligence and service awareness sessions.

Collaborate with external services to use placement students to supplement existing services and workloads and manage those students.

To support students to identify their needs and goals, encouraging and enabling students to develop positive/effective condition management skills, working to the Recovery Model of Mental Health.

Responsibility for collaborative planning, implementation and evaluation of Mental Health and Crisis Support Plans and response protocols.

Helping develop a culture of supporting students experiencing difficulties by promoting mental health awareness across the institution and maintenance of positive mental health and personal resilience.

To undertake continuous personal and professional development, including clinical supervision from a supervisor approved by Head of Service.

Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.

Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

A = Application T = Test I = Interview

Education, Qualifications & Training

Means of Testing

Educated to degree level in a related field (e.g., psychology, mental health nursing or counselling)

A

A relevant professional post-graduate qualification/training in mental health (e.g., Nursing with RMN / Community Psychiatric Nursing / Psychiatric/Mental Health Social Work, or similar).

A

Registered member of relevant professional body, such as BACP, UKCP or BPS.

A

Knowledge & Experience

Experience of providing mental health and counselling support, ideally in HE.

A/I

Experience of responding proactively to crisis situations involving mental health issues

A/I

Experience of providing mental health assessment, safety planning/risk management, and ongoing support to individuals with moderate to complex mental health difficulties

A/I

Ability to identify and respond appropriately to clients who are in need of psychiatric support or assessments.

A/I

Experience of working with young adults / adolescents including a working knowledge of the specific issues common to this client group, e.g. adolescent development; transitions; self-harm' suicide; eating disorders; drugs and alcohol; separation; procrastination; exam panic.

A/I

Knowledge of intersectional experiences and issues within mental health

A/I

Experience of delivering supervision and/or line management responsibilities

A/I

A thorough understanding of the BACP / UKCP ethical framework and guidelines for good practice.

A/I

Knowledge of risk and protective factors in relation to a range of emotional, psychological and interpersonal difficulties

A/I

Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the wide range of mental health presentations including ‘personality disorder' diagnoses, self-harm and suicidal ideation and intent and related student needs.

A/I

Experience of delivering training to others.

A/I

Skills

Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with colleagues within a multi-disciplinary team and wider institutional setting.

A/I

Ability to develop and deliver training to all staff and students.

A commitment to abide by the ethical principles as outlined by the BACP ethical framework and a willingness to use supervision effectively to monitor fitness to practice

A/I

Understanding and awareness of mental health, data protection, equality and freedom of information legislation.

A/I

Demonstrable ability to respond effectively in situations of mental health crisis, both in terms of interpersonal response and process

A/I

Knowledge of evidence-based practice and interventions to facilitate best outcomes for students

A/I

Ability to develop positive working relationships and maintain professional boundaries with students and employees

A/I

Ability to work autonomously and prioritise workloads

A/I

Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with colleagues within a multi-disciplinary team and wider institutional setting.

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well within a team

A/I

Excellent IT skills with the ability to use a variety of packages and produce clear reports/case notes

A/I

Understanding of safeguarding and its application in practice

A/I

BUCKS BEHAVIOURAL FRAMEWORK

Developing self and others – Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

Encouraging others to contribute to institutional level activity.

Identifying the changing needs of the University and incorporating these into own and others' development plans.

Making time to nurture the development of colleagues.

Empowering others by locating decision making at the lowest possible appropriate level.

Engaging with the wider context – Enhancing your contribution to the University through an understanding of University values, its students, customers and stakeholders.

Encouraging a University wide perspective through joined-up thinking and working.

Creating a sense of common purpose.

Scanning the wider environment to seek opportunities to develop the University.

Understanding and adapting to the wider context.

Identifying and mitigating for possible scenarios that could adversely impact on the University

Making clear for others the links between individual, team, department and University objectives.

Delivering excellent service – Providing the best quality service to external and internal customers/students/stakeholders. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up customer service standards.

Defining excellent service for internal and external customers.

Advocating for and role modelling excellent service to your customers/students/stakeholders.

Seeing things from your customers/student/stakeholders' viewpoint.

Listening, questioning and clarifying in order to understand your customers/student/stakeholders' needs.

Using customer/student stakeholder feedback to drive improvements.

Tailoring communication to meet customers/student/stakeholders' needs.

Setting aspirational goals and fostering a continuous improvement philosophy

Location

High Wycombe

Contract Type

Permanent

Salary Range

£42,978 - £54,395

Hours per week

37

Closing Date

31/03/2024

Ref No

1529