Mental Health & Safeguarding Advisor in Birmingham

We are excited to be growing and developing support services within Aston University’s Student Life directorate. Student Life is comprised of multiple teams which deliver a wide range of support to university students including information, advice, guidance, counselling, disability support, wellbeing, spiritual, and mental health support across Aston University physical and digital campuses.

This post sits in the Welfare & Safeguarding team within the Student Life directorate and plays a key role in creating an inclusive, caring, and supportive community for all students. As a Mental Health & Safeguarding Adviser, you will help students manage issues or challenges that affect their ability to study. Reporting to the Head of Welfare & Safeguarding, you will work collaboratively with colleagues across Student Life teams and the wider University, managing a caseload of students through delivery of a range of interventions, including risk assessment, referral and liaison with external services, skill development, overcoming barriers, and goal-setting.

You will assess risk in emerging safeguarding and complex mental health or welfare presentations, manage referrals, and monitor outcomes. You will provide immediate assistance to students who present with urgent need for help and guidance. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience and expertise in the fields of sexual and domestic violence.

Our model of support is based on culturally-sensitive, anti-oppressive, and holistic principles of care, whilst providing person-centred, individualised interventions. We are committed to engaging proactively and respectfully with diversity, race, culture, and equality in all aspects of our work.

In this role you will work closely with colleagues in other teams to develop and deliver wellbeing activities and psycho-educational workshops and will contribute to wider service and university goals and initiatives. Joining our team will give you the opportunity to work in an exciting and diverse educational setting, helping students along their journey as they cope with the wide range of academic, social, psychological, emotional, and practical challenges that they may experience whilst studying.

Shortlisted candidates will:

• hold a first degree or equivalent,
• be professionally qualified as either a Mental Health Nurse, Mental Health Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, or qualified professional with a similar skill set,
• be registered with the regulatory body governing their profession,
• have extensive experience in the provision of mental health services, and
• have experience in a Higher Education institution or similar environment.

What we offer:

• Aston University is a dynamic and vibrant campus located within Birmingham city centre, which has excellent transport links via bus or train.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• A generous annual leave scheme with 30 days bookable leave and a further 13 days bank holiday and University Closure days.
• Everyday discounts to a number of activities and retailers.
• Great family friendly policies.
• On site gym and pool with discounted staff membership available.

This role may meet the requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. If you require sponsorship, Aston University will assess eligibility if you are shortlisted for the role. Please note we are unable to confirm individual eligibility before shortlisting.