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- Tasks: Provide mental health support and counselling to students in a dynamic university environment.
- Company: York St John University, a historic institution with a strong community focus.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, health cash plan, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Accredited Counsellor with experience in mental health assessments and interventions.
- Other info: Join a vibrant community dedicated to student wellbeing and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
Location: York
Salary: 34,610 - 39,906 per annum.
Contract: Fixed Term, Full Time.
Introduction to York St John University
Situated in the heart of the historic city of York, and with the addition of our London Campus, York St John University has a long and proud tradition as a distinguished higher education provider. Our success is founded on the quality of academic teaching and research, our thriving campus environments, our professional and pastoral support, and our values of an inclusive, innovative and ambitious community with a strong sense of belonging.
The Team
The Student Wellbeing, Disability and Inclusion Service provides high quality support to students. Comprising of two teams: Wellbeing & Welfare and Disability & Inclusion, providing holistic clinical and solution focussed support to enable students to engage successfully with their studies. The service offers a multi-disciplinary approach to student wellbeing, working collaboratively to achieve excellent outcomes for students. The Wellbeing team have two key areas of responsibility; delivering clinical mental health support to students and ensuring the effective coordination of the University's response to complex and serious welfare incidents (such as domestic violence, serious assault, etc.). The team is made up of Mental Health Practitioners (Nurses, Occupational Therapists and Social Workers), and qualified Counsellors. We also employ Senior Practitioners and a Complex Case Lead to provide clinical leadership on students with complex mental health needs.
The Role
This role is a 12 month fixed term contract. We are looking for an accredited Counsellor to provide maternity leave cover within our multi-disciplinary service which includes counsellors, mental health practitioners, welfare advisers who provide a range of supportive brief interventions for students. As a registered and accredited counsellor, you will be a key member of York St John University's multi-disciplinary Wellbeing Team. Your role will involve working with a caseload of students carrying out assessments of mental health and wellbeing, risk assessments, and providing counselling as part of a brief intervention offer to support the mental wellbeing of students. The successful candidate may also be required to work in the Wellbeing drop-in service where you will be responsible for providing in person support and guidance to students. The drop-in service provides mental health and wellbeing support to students who may be experiencing anxiety, stress, thoughts of suicide, difficulties related to studies, relationship difficulties, and other concerns. You will have experience of the assessment and management of risk, and be able to utilise these skills in a fast-paced environment where high levels of situational awareness are essential to ensure agility of response. A key part of the role involves collaborating with other key University services and academic departments/School teams, making and receiving effective referrals to ensure that the support students receive from the wider University is properly coordinated. You will also follow up with internal and external stakeholders following serious student incidents, such as a student being hospitalised or an incidence of serious self-harm, to ensure such cases are properly coordinated across the University.
Required skills and experience
The successful candidate will hold a professional Counselling Qualifications at either Degree or Diploma level, and hold a current accreditation with the BACP, NCPS or UKCP. Please note that this role requires an Enhanced DBS check which will be conducted upon successful offer.
Additional information
Unfortunately this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship however we welcome your application if you are able to evidence right to work in the UK via an alternative route. Any queries about the specifics of the role and suitability for the post should be directed to Sonia Rooney (Head of Student Wellbeing, Disability and Inclusion). Email: s.rooney@yorksj.ac.uk. Interviews are expected to be held on Friday 13th March 2026 and those who apply are asked to keep this date free. If you require a reasonable adjustment in order to apply for this position, please contact vacancies@yorksj.ac.uk. Within the application form there is an opportunity for you to request a reasonable adjustment at the interview stage of the process, however if you wish to discuss this in further detail at any point in the process, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our benefits package
- Excellent annual leave entitlement, including five discretionary university closure days over the Christmas period
- Disability leave (applies to staff who have disclosed a disability and is also available to staff with disabled dependants)
- Pension scheme
- Health Cash Plan after six months service
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists
- On-campus courses, one-to-one tutorials, and online resources to help you develop your digital skills and work with new software
- Relocation expenses package for certain roles
- Visa loan scheme
Further information about life at YSJ
Read more about our culture, inclusive community, working arrangements and benefits for York St John employees here. The latest news, views and stories from our staff and students can be found here. We are committed to managing and reducing our environmental impact and to promoting sustainable development wherever we can, read more here.
Closing Date: 18 Feb 2026
Category: Admin & Technical (Including Research vacancies)
Student Wellbeing Counsellor (Maternity Leave Cover) (012-26) employer: York St. John University
Contact Detail:
York St. John University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Student Wellbeing Counsellor (Maternity Leave Cover) (012-26)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the mental health field, especially those who might know about opportunities at York St John University. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of student wellbeing practices. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges students face and think about how you can contribute to the multi-disciplinary team.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills during the interview! Be ready to discuss your experience with risk assessments and how you've handled complex cases in the past. Real-life examples will make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and the university culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Student Wellbeing Counsellor (Maternity Leave Cover) (012-26)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Student Wellbeing Counsellor. We want to see how you can contribute to our multi-disciplinary team!
Showcase Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your professional counselling qualifications and any relevant accreditations. This is key for us to understand your background and expertise in providing mental health support.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your passion for supporting students shines through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at York St. John University
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the key responsibilities of the Student Wellbeing Counsellor role. Brush up on your knowledge of mental health assessments, risk management, and brief intervention techniques. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
Since this role involves working within a multi-disciplinary team, be prepared to discuss your experience collaborating with other professionals. Think of examples where you’ve effectively communicated and coordinated with colleagues to support clients, as this will highlight your teamwork skills.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions during the interview. Prepare by thinking through potential situations you might encounter in the role, such as handling a crisis or supporting a student in distress. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident and articulate during the interview.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, the university’s approach to student wellbeing, or any recent initiatives. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
