Head of Student Wellbeing Practice

Cyber Security Academy Southampton; Southampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Southampton is seeking an experienced and values-driven professional to join our Student Wellbeing Service as Head of Student Wellbeing Practice. You will lead our Wellbeing Practitioner team, delivering coordinated, evidence-informed support to students with wellbeing challenges and helping them stay engaged with their studies.

The role covers operational leadership, professional oversight, governance and quality assurance, using data and feedback to drive service improvement.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in wellbeing or mental health services.
• Experience maintaining professional standards and quality assurance.
• Proven ability to drive service improvements and supervise staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Student Wellbeing Practitioner function with operational leadership and accountability for service quality.
• Oversee standards, supervision frameworks and quality assurance activities.

Skills

Leadership

Governance

Risk management

Service improvement

Inclusion

Staff supervision

Staff development

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.

About You

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

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

What We Can Offer You

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer:

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

Further information

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.

As a university, we are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe our community is strongest when it reflects the diversity of the people we serve and we welcome applications from all backgrounds, identities and experiences. We are committed to creating an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported and able to bring their whole selves to work. We welcome flexible working conversations and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process where required.

As a university we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work. With a generous holiday allowance as well as additional university closure days we are committed to supporting our staff and students and open to a flexible working approach.