Head of Student Wellbeing Practice

University of Southampton; Southampton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Sector-leading pension

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Learning and development opportunities

Staff discounts and benefits

Job summary

University of Southampton seeks an experienced, values-driven leader to head the Student Wellbeing Practice within the Wellbeing Service. You will oversee the Wellbeing Practitioner function, ensuring high-quality, evidence-informed support for students with diverse needs.

You will work with NHS and community partners, drive improvement, and promote inclusive, student-centred care. The role is based at Highfield Campus; enhanced DBS is required.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of leading wellbeing or mental health services.
• Experience maintaining high professional standards, governance and quality assurance.
• Experience managing complex or sensitive services and supporting staff through risk.
• Experience of service improvement and implementing new ways of working.
• Strong commitment to inclusion and evidence-informed practice.
• Ability to supervise and develop professional staff.
• Proven ability to motivate and empower teams to reach potential.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Student Wellbeing Practitioner function with operational leadership.
• Provide professional oversight and accountability for service quality, performance and outcomes.
• Drive service improvement using data, insight and student feedback.
• Work with University colleagues and external partners to ensure coordinated care.
• Champion inclusive, student-centred practice accessible to all backgrounds.

Skills

Team leadership

Governance

Quality assurance

Risk management

Supervision

Reflective practice

Inclusion

Data analysis

Job description

Our students are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

We are seeking an experienced and values-driven professional to join our Student Wellbeing Service as Head of Student Wellbeing Practice.

This is an exciting new opportunity to lead our Wellbeing Practitioner team, who deliver coordinated, evidence-informed support to students experiencing wellbeing difficulties. The team plays a vital role in helping students navigate challenges, access appropriate support and remain engaged with their studies and wider university experience.

About the role

You will lead and manage the Student Wellbeing Practitioner function, providing operational leadership, professional oversight and accountability for service quality, performance and outcomes. You will support a team delivering structured wellbeing interventions and coordinated support for students with emerging, complex or interconnected needs. You will oversee professional standards, supervision frameworks and quality assurance activity, promoting a culture of reflective practice, continuous learning and professional accountability. Using data, insight and student feedback, you will drive service improvement and help enhance the student experience. Working closely with colleagues across the University and external partners, including NHS and community services, you will help ensure students benefit from effective pathways into support and a coordinated approach to care. You will also champion inclusive, student-centred practice, ensuring services are accessible, responsive and informed by evidence. You will promote approaches that recognise the diverse backgrounds, identities and experiences of our students and help create an environment where all students feel able to succeed., This role is based at our Highfield Campus. The successful candidate will participate in the University's out-of-hours escalation arrangements. An enhanced DBS certificate is required for this role.

We're looking for someone with significant experience of leading wellbeing or mental health or related services and a commitment to delivering high-quality, inclusive support.

You will bring:

• o Significant experience of leading and developing teams delivering wellbeing or other person-centred support services.
• o Experience of maintaining high professional standards, governance and quality assurance.
• o Experience of managing complex or sensitive services and supporting staff to navigate risk and uncertainty.
• o Experience of service improvement and implementing new ways of working.
• o A strong commitment to inclusion, equitable access and evidence-informed practice.
• o Experience of supporting and developing professional staff through supervision and reflective practice.
• o The ability to motivate, develop and empower others to achieve their potential.

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer:

• o Generous annual leave entitlement.
• o A sector-leading pension scheme.
• o Health and wellbeing initiatives.
• o Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• o Access to staff discounts and benefits schemes.