Student Support Service Student and Academic Services Division The Posts MENTAL HEALTH ADVISERS (2 POSTS) REF: ALC605 Our Mental Health Advisers offer specialist student-centred advice and guidance and deliver therapeutic support to current students with a wide variety of mental health difficulties. Duties will also include identifying the support needs and reasonable adjustments required by applicants and facilitating delivery of those requirements, as well as undertaking case work with individual students and providing advice to academic and other staff to enable students to access their courses and the wider opportunities offered. The post holders will play an active role in the promotion of mental wellbeing within the student and wider University community. Informal Discussions For an informal discussion please contact Mr Chris Haylock (Acting Head of Wellbeing) on Tel. 01603 592878 or email: Christopher.haylock@uea.ac.uk. Student Support Service Previously known as the Dean of Students Office, the Service aims to help enable all students to gain the maximum benefit from their University experience by offering specialist and general information, advice, guidance and counselling on practical, developmental and personal matters that are impacting on their ability to achieve their academic potential and personal goals. The Service also manages University residential accommodation, a dental practice, the University staff counselling service and works closely with, and is the liaison point with, the University s Multifaith Centre. The Service has four sections, Information and Advice, Wellbeing, Learning Enhancement, and Residences and Services offering the following services. Wellbeing at UEA The Wellbeing section has a staff complement of 3 mental health advisers, 4 disability advisers, and 5 counsellors providing mental health and disability advice and guidance, counselling, therapeutic interventions, to a diverse student body. It offers professional placements to students on counselling and other therapy courses and employs some sessional advisers to help meet demand at busy times of the year. The section is primarily focussed on two areas of work:
the promotion of wellbeing: the provision of self-help materials, group activities that promote good mental well-being, and awareness raising mental health campaigns and staff training. working with individual students with disabilities or who are experiencing mental health difficulties. Students can self-refer or be referred by other services to the counsellors, mental health advisers, and disability advisers. An initial well-being assessment is generally undertaken to establish a student s needs before either a course of therapy with the counsellors, or meetings with the mental health advisers are arranged. The advisers will provide information and guidance and work with students to determine the reasonable adjustments the University can put in place, assist students in making applications for funding when they are eligible to do so, and assist student in monitoring their progress throughout their studies when at UEA, on placement or studying abroad. A critical mass of counsellors is maintained by running the staff counselling service alongside student counselling services. The Wellbeing Team also supports those students seeking to return to study from a period when they have been away from their studies due to personal, physical or mental health reasons or for whom fitness to study has become an issue. Wellbeing staff work closely with staff in the University Medical Service and other NHS services and voluntary sector organisations to provide support, advice and guidance for students. Job Description A job description is attached as Appendix A. The precise duties will be agreed in discussion with the Manager. Person Specification The person specification for these posts is attached as Appendix B. GENERAL Salary Salary will be 31,656 to 37,768 per annum, on Grade 7 on the single salary spine. The normal expectation is that starting salary will be at the minimum of the advertised salary scale. Starting date The posts are available immediately on an indefinite full-time basis. Terms and Conditions of Appointment Full details of terms and conditions of employment for Administrative Staff will be made available to the candidates to whom the appointments are offered.
Relocation Expenses Relocation expenses are reimbursable under certain conditions. Residence The University is strongly committed to providing an excellent student experience and research environment, and it is expected that all staff will be available on campus to carry out their duties during the working week in support of these goals. Absences for significant periods are by agreement with the Head of School or Head of Division. Annual Leave Entitlement There is an annual holiday entitlement of six weeks plus statutory (8 days) and customary (6 days) holidays. Superannuation The posts are superannuable under the Universities Superannuation Scheme. Disclosure and Barring Service The appointments will be subject to a criminal record check at Enhanced level from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Proof of Qualifications The person specification for this post lists qualifications that are essential and/or desirable and you may hold some or all of these qualifications. Please note that if you are offered the appointment you will be asked to provide original certificates of these educational and professional qualifications. Please DO NOT provide these with your application. Entitlement to Work in the United Kingdom If you are shortlisted for interview you will be asked to bring to interview original documentary evidence of permission to work in the UK. Candidates invited to interview will be provided with a list of appropriate documents that can be provided as evidence. Please DO NOT provide this with your application. Due to the nature of this role and the level of qualifications required, please note that immigration legislation may allow the University to apply for a sponsorship certificate for this post. Where appropriate, the University will apply for a sponsorship certificate from the Home Office UK Immigration and Visa Service on behalf of the candidate offered employment. The individual will be required to supply original documents and certificates to support this application.
Workers from outside of the EU who do not have current residency status within the UK and will require entry clearance or leave to remain approval from the Borders Agency should familiarise themselves with Tier 2 (General) of the Points Based System operated by the Home Office. Details are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration. Occupational Health Assessment Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Occupational Health Assessment to be carried out by the University s Occupational Health Service. APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS Your completed application form should quote reference code ALC605 and be returned by not later than 12 noon on 28 June 2016 in one of the following ways: accessed via the relevant vacancy details at www.uea.ac.uk/hr/vacancies then downloaded in Word format to be completed electronically then saved and sent as an email attachment to hr@uea.ac.uk or accessed via the relevant vacancy details from www.uea.ac.uk/hr/vacancies then downloaded in Word format to be completed electronically, then printed and posted to the Human Resources Division, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, or accessed via the relevant vacancy details from www.uea.ac.uk/hr/vacancies and downloaded in PDF format and printed, to be completed by hand and returned by post to the Human Resources Division at the address shown above or forms received by post from the Human Resources Division should be completed by hand or typed and returned by post to the above address. Postal applications will not be acknowledged unless a stamped addressed envelope/postcard is supplied. For paper submissions please ensure you add the correct postage to your application pack as failure to do so will considerably delay receipt by this office and may jeopardise your application for this post. Please note that applications received after the closing date will not normally be accepted. If you are submitting an application by post immediately prior to the closing date please contact the Human Resources Division on 01603 593034 to let us know that your application has been posted, and if possible also send a copy by fax to 01603 593522 or by email to hr@uea.ac.uk in order that we receive these by the closing date.
Please note that feedback will not normally be provided to those applicants who are not shortlisted for this post. Applicants for posts with a reference code beginning ALC must ensure they submit a covering letter and three paper copies of their curriculum vitae, or one copy if submitting the application by email, along with their completed application form. Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form Please note that an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form must be completed and returned with ALL applications, whether submitted by post or by email. If submitted by email, the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form must be sent as a separate document/attachment to the Application Form. The Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form will be detached from the received application before short-listing takes place and will not form any part of either the short-listing or decision making process. Referees In naming referees in your application, you are requested to give only those who can immediately be approached and one of these must be your current employer, or if not employed your most recent employer. Interviews It is anticipated that interviews and tests will take place on 20 July 2016 and candidates who have not heard by this date should assume their application has been unsuccessful. Successful shortlisted candidates may be notified of their interview times by telephone and/or email and it is therefore essential you include both of these in your application. Reasonable travel and incidental expenses incurred in attending the interview will be reimbursed. (Please ensure that you keep all receipts). Please note that if you are offered a post and decline the offer, travel and incidental expenses will not be reimbursed. Detailed information on the allowances will be provided on the expenses claim form which will be sent to you if you are invited to interview. This document is available in alternative formats e.g. large print, disc and on-line. If you need this document in an alternative format please contact us on 01603 593034, fax 01603 593522, or email hr@uea.ac.uk
APPENDIX A JOB DESCRIPTION REF: ALC605 Job Title: Mental Health Adviser Grade: 7 Department: Reporting to: Student Support Service within the Student and Academic Services Division Head of Wellbeing Job Function/Purpose: The post holder will offer specialist student-centred advice and guidance and deliver therapeutic support to current students with a wide variety of short and long-term mental health difficulties. They will also identify the support needs and reasonable adjustments required by applicants and facilitate delivery of those requirements. The post holder will undertake case work with individual students and provide advice to academic and other staff to enable students to access their courses and the wider opportunities offered by the University. The Mental Health Adviser will play an active role in the promotion of mental wellbeing within the student and wider University community. MAIN DUTIES: 1. Working with individuals 1.1 To provide information, advice and guidance to prospective and current students with mental health concerns, on the support that can be offered and the reasonable adjustments that can be put in place. 1.2 To make decisions on what adjustments would be reasonable for the University to put in place given the nature of the course, the environment and cost. 1.3 To evaluate and formulate plans with students experiencing mental health difficulties, vulnerable adults and young people, that will support them to access both their course of studies and the wider opportunities offered by the University. 1.4 To meet with students at appropriate and suitable intervals to help them monitor their progress. For students on courses which require placements, or for example a year abroad, to plan with the student for this period away from the University. For some students this might also involve working directly with other universities or placement providers in relation to the students needs. 1.5 To formulate crisis plans with students to be used if and when a crisis occurs. 1.6 To respond effectively and speedily to students experiencing a mental health crisis, following plans where these exist, and drawing in appropriate interventions from other agencies as required.
1.7 To maintain accurate and timely records and case notes of interactions with students and any consequent actions taken, using University systems. 1.8 To assist students with their applications for financial support, for example the Disabled Students Allowances, liaising as necessary with external agencies such as Student Finance England, NHS Business Authority and Assessment Centres; to guide them through the assessment process and assist them in accessing the approved services, liaising with appropriate University staff as necessary. 1.9 To liaise with academic departments, other University services, INTO UEA, the University Medical Centre, the University s Occupational Health Service and the Union of UEA Students in putting reasonable adjustments in place and monitoring their effectiveness with the student. 1.10 To assess risk in Fitness to Study, Return to Study and when requested to do so, Fitness to Practice processes, making recommendations and being a member of a Panel making decisions on whether or not a student is fit to study or return to study. 2. Working with the wider University Community 2.1 To develop written and web-based materials and resources to guide and support students and staff working with students. 2.2 To play an active role in the promotion of mental wellbeing within the student and wider University community. This will involve designing, preparing and delivering group sessions and activities, for example mindfulness, mental health campaigns etc. 2.3 To provide therapeutic support/therapy via these group activities at a level to maintain professional body requirements. 2.4 To contribute to staff development activities in relation to aspects of student mental health and wellbeing. 3. Professionalism 3.1 To maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and good practice to support students with mental health difficulties. 3.2 To maintain effective liaison with external agencies such as NHS general practices and other NHS teams and services, Social Services, psychiatrists and other support agencies, including those in the voluntary sector to facilitate effective referrals and partnership working. 3.3 To engage with continuous professional development in their discipline area, accepting supervision, maintaining the currency of qualifications, and delivering supervision as required. 3.4 To guide and monitor the work of mentors assigned to support students in the Adviser s caseload, liaising with other team members, University staff and any other relevant parties to assist in resolving issues arising. 3.5 To maintain high professional and ethical standards and follow principles of the appropriate professional framework i.e. University Mental Health Adviser Network (UMHAN) and their own professional background. To ensure that those supervised also maintain these standards. 3.6 To ensure that standards and services are legally compliant.
4. General 4.1 To play an active part in the Counselling and Wellbeing Team, sharing ideas and knowledge with other members of the team and with colleagues in the Student Support Service. 4.2 To supervise students undertaking professional placements within the Wellbeing section. 4.3 Other tasks as might from time to time be requested by the Director of Student Services or their deputies that are commensurate with the grade of the post. 4.4 To undertake planned evening and weekend working on a rota basis to take out of hours calls in a consultative capacity in crisis situations involving students, so necessitating occasional unsocial working. 4.5 Any other such duties as may be assigned by the Manager that are commensurate with the grade of the post. May 2016
APPENDIX B PERSON SPECIFICATION Post: Division: Mental Health Adviser (Ref: ALC605) Student Support Service within the Student and Academic Services Division A variety of assessment methods will be used as part of the selection process and this will include short listing using information provided on your application form, an interview and possibly a test and/or presentation. When completing your application you should ensure that you address each of the criteria indicated and provide supporting examples demonstrating your experience where appropriate. Criteria Essential Desirable Education, experience and achievements Skills and knowledge Personal attributes 1. Degree and/or relevant professional qualification and/or commensurate experience. 2. Recognised and current mental health and/or psychological therapy qualification. 3. Relevant and recent experience of working in mental health area involving case work. 4. Experience of working with adults with mental health difficulties including assessment, risk management and brief intervention. 5. Experience of developing and delivering training activities. 8. Excellent assessment skills. 9. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English language. 10. Good interpersonal skills including the ability to work with other agencies. 11. Good organisational skills. 12. Good problem-solving skills. 13. Knowledge of mental health difficulties and their effects on adults in higher education. 14. Confident users of MS Office, the internet and email. 17. Willingness to work collaboratively to achieve shared goals. 6. Experience of working with adults in higher or further education. 7. Experience of working in a multi-agency environment. 15. Knowledge of Disabled Students Allowances. 16. Up-to-date knowledge of equality legislation and its impact on higher education.
Special circumstances 18. Ability to listen with empathy, dealing sensitively with a wide range of individuals. 19. Ability to prioritise and work flexibly to deadlines. 20. Positivity about inclusion and students access to their course and the wider University experience. 21. Maintenance of CPD and working with other teams members to maintain their CPD. 22. Subject to receipt of an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. 23. Membership of the out-of-hours staff rota may require out-ofhours working. 24. Annual leave may be restricted at certain times of the year.