£50,129 to £62,662 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £72,061 per annum)
Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
As Counselling and Mental Health Services Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for this multi-disciplinary team which contributes to positive student experience and outcomes by enabling students to manage their emotional, psychological and mental wellbeing. You will lead a core team supported by a wider group of volunteer associates and trainees.
You will, in conjunction with the Head of Student Services, lead on embedding across the institution a clear, visible and positive strategy around mental health. In this role, you will also build effective networks with a range of other University services and teams, the Union of Students and external services, and make sure that the whole of the team is also building such networks.
The ideal candidate will possess a strong and proven track record of assessing and managing clinical risk with in depth knowledge and application of a broad range of counselling models.
In addition, you will have a demonstrable record of strong leadership skills in order to manage and develop a team and support staff working under pressure. This will be coupled with excellent organisational and problem solving skills and personal resilience in managing conflict. You will hold an honours degree and relevant post-clinical qualifications and will have the ability to conduct systematic evaluation of service provision to ensure a cycle of continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
* Assist in the strategic development of the Service, contributing to annual operating plans, and evaluating service delivery to ensure effective use of all resources.
* Identify and use management information to report on service impact and to inform strategic planning at both service and institutional level. Focus on the impact of counselling and mental health support on key Institutional Success Measures (ISM’s).
* Continue to improve the quality assurance process to monitor service standards by using a variety of data to evaluate services. Lead a process of continuous improvement which ensures that opportunities to further enhance the work of the team are seized.
* Keep up to date on current developments in the Higher Education (HE) sector, identify trends, research good practice, identify service shortfalls and anticipate service requirements accordingly.
* Hold overall clinical responsibility for the Service, ensuring that it operates in a clinically safe and ethical manner and in accordance with appropriate professional guidelines and ethical frameworks.
* Manage the Service in accordance with all relevant legislation including equal opportunities, data protection, safeguarding, confidentiality, and the management of volunteers.
* Ensure that the service complies with the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling.
* Work closely with the Head of Student Services on initiatives directly related to Student Services.
The Service
* Deliver leadership and management of the Counselling and Mental Health Service – including line-managing all practitioners in the team, coordinating recruitment activities within the team, managing team and individual performance matters, and planning and managing training and development for the team.
* Oversee the regular recruitment and management of Associate and Trainee counsellors, ensuring that Associates and Trainees are fully supported and provided with clinical supervision.
* Develop a culture within the team which respects and maintains therapeutic boundaries and confidentiality.
* Ensure the service is accessible to a diverse range of clients and that the work of the Service is responsive to the needs of different groups e.g., international students, LGBT+ students, postgraduate students, etc.
* Deliver one-to-one casework with students, including mental health assessments and therapeutic work, as required.
* Ensure the team is responding effectively to the needs of students by ensuring that the triage and risk assessment protocols in place are effective.
Experience
* Demonstrable experience of managing staff and service provision in an HE or comparable setting.
* Substantial post-qualification experience working with a wide range of presentations, including mental health difficulties.
* Experience of conducting initial assessments and allocating clients.
* Understanding of a variety of counselling theories and approaches.
* Experience in developing and facilitating group work and psycho-educational workshops.
* Experience of developing a service and improving processes.
Skills, knowledge & abilities
* Knowledge of HE regulations.
* Highly developed knowledge of the principles, theory, and practice in the fields of counselling and wellbeing.
* Proven management ability, including an ability to motivate and support staff.
* Knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation and codes of practice.
* Highly numerate and able to read and interpret financial information.
* High level communication and interpersonal skills.
* Ability to assess, analyse and manage risks and opportunities.
* Commitment to continuous improvement.
Qualifications
* Holds a Master’s degree or further post-graduate award in a related area.
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Sarah Richardson, Head of Student Services via s.richardson@derby.ac.uk
To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. We invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.
For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby, please visit our website.
Lead with purpose, apply now to make an impact.
How to apply
You can apply by submitting an online application. Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.
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