Mental Health Adviser, Casework

The Open University; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job description

Advert Reference Number: 707

Job Location: Milton Keynes

Department: Student Welfare

Salary: £38,249 to £45,413

Closing Date: 24 April 2025

Weekly Working Hours: 37

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract until30 April 2026

About the Role

The Mental Health Advisory Team forms part of the Student Welfare Team, which is responsible for mental health support, mental health training, suicide-safer university, welfare advice and safeguarding.

The Mental Health Caseworker role will be responsible for providing one-to-one interventionist support to students with enduring or complex mental health illnesses and conditions, who find themselves facing acute difficulties with their studies as a direct consequence of their mental health and have been referred into the service by staff in other units across the University. In addition, the Mental Health Caseworkers will also be responsible for working closely with other colleagues and external organisations, to coordinate support for students who are in crisis and at risk of self-harm.

The successful role holder will have substantive experience of providing support to adults with mental health difficulties, and working within a multiagency context in a community, health or education setting (preferably adult or higher education). They will be experienced in carrying out mental health assessments, implementing solution-focussed interventions and managing risk at the individual and service level.

Key Responsibilities

• To provide specialist interventionist support to students experiencing enduring and/or complex mental health difficulties, or who are in crisis, and who have been referred into the service by staff from across the University
• To maintain and manage a caseload of mental health cases ensuring appropriate professional standards are maintained, cases are escalated in a timely and appropriate manner, and risk is managed in accordance with University policies
• To help develop clear and coherent referral routes into the mental health support service for other staff, and to establish appropriate referral points on to other internal support services and out to external support services
• To support students experiencing a mental health crisis, and act as a point of liaison with internal and external support services where appropriate
• To work with staff from across the University to help students recognise and understand the impact their mental health is having on their ability to engage and progress effectively with their studies, in line with the University’s Fitness to Study policy, and to take action to enable them to engage effectively with their studies, with other students and with staff in accordance with University policies
• To help with the promotion of mental health and wellbeing across the University, to act as a point of expert advice and to provide support and training to other staff who are working with students with mental health difficulties
• To work in partnership with internal stakeholders and external service providers to reduce barriers to successful academic engagement and progression for students with enduring and/or complex mental health difficulties.

Skills and experience

Essential:

• First degree or equivalent professional qualification in mental health nursing, psychology, social work, counselling or other discipline relevant to this role
• Evidence of continuing professional development including certification in at least one specialist intervention (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy (SFT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, coaching, etc.)
• Demonstrable understanding of mental health, equality and data protection legislations, with experience of explaining these to a diverse range of individuals in a sensitive, clear and coherent manner
• Knowledge and understanding of the range of mental health difficulties students may face within a higher education context and how these may impact their ability to engage, progress and succeed with their studies
• Ability to be emotionally resilient and to work in a calm, professional and adaptable manner when dealing with individuals who are in distress, are agitated or experiencing a mental health crisis
• Experience of providing one-to-one support to adults with mental health, emotional or psychological difficulties, and assessing their support needs prior to implementing appropriate solution-focused interventions
• Experience of working on a caseload basis, while actively monitoring risk, responding appropriately to individuals in crisis, prioritising cases, and maintaining accurate and timely records in accordance with data protection
• Experience of working in a multiagency environment, with the ability to build productive and effective working relationships with students and staff at all levels, by using a range of interpersonal skills including empathetic listening skills, effective influencing and negotiation skills, facilitation and conflict resolution
• Experience of delivering training in mental health awareness, and providing supervision support to colleagues when collectively working with students with mental health difficulties
• Ability to work independently, use personal initiative and make timely decisions to ensure effective resolution of issues, including knowing when to escalate a matter
• Effective spoken and written communication skills with the ability to present what may be complex or difficult information, advice and guidance, in a clear and coherent manner, that meets the needs and understanding of the intended audience
• A strong commitment to excellence in working with a diverse student population, in line with the University’s mission, values and strategic priorities

Desirable:

• Accreditation as a Mental Health First Aid Instructor
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. BACP, BPS, UMHAN, UKCP)

Flexible working: We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Work location: It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where you can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. We’d expect this to be approximately twice per year.

DBS Check: The post holder will be required to undertake a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for this role.

What you get in return: We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs.

We also offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term. Staff Benefits include an attractive pension proposition and 33 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus 8 Bank Holidays and 3 extra Christmas closure days.

How to apply: If you are interested in applying for this position, please click the 'Apply' link above where you will be directed to our Careers webpage.

We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.