University Therapy and Liaison Practitioner

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health service provider in Liverpool is seeking a professional to deliver brief psychological interventions to university students at risk of self-harm. Responsibilities include conducting comprehensive clinical assessments, managing risk, and utilizing a blended therapy model. Strong interpersonal skills and a proactive crisis management approach are essential. The role also involves collaboration with universities and health services, with the aim of ensuring safe and effective care for students.

Qualifications

• Experience in conducting clinical assessments.
• Ability to manage risk and recommend psychotherapeutic treatments.
• Familiarity with monitoring outcomes using CORE and trust-approved measures.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments for students at risk of self-harm.
• Deliver brief psychological interventions and maintain accurate clinical records.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Organisational ability

Proactive crisis management

Job description

The UCOPE (University Community Outpatient Psychotherapy Education) /Office for Students service offers brief psychological intervention to students within six of the main Universities of Liverpool.

The service provides intervention to students who are at risk of self-harm and utilises a blended model of Psychodynamic Interpersonal therapy (PIT) and Cognitive Analytical Therapy (CAT) over a time limited period. The student liaison service forms part of this role, and includes liaison between health care services and Universities, The role delivers brief psychological interventions to university students at risk of self-harm, using a blended model of Psychodynamic Interpersonal Therapy (PIT) and Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT). Responsibilities include conducting comprehensive clinical assessments, managing risk, and recommending appropriate psychotherapeutic treatments. The postholder provides up to five structured intervention sessions plus follow-up, supported by training and regular supervision. Duties involve maintaining accurate clinical records, using screening tools, and monitoring outcomes via CORE and other trust-approved measures. The role requires collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, universities, and external agencies, including liaison with families and carers where appropriate. Additional responsibilities include safeguarding, supervising unqualified staff, contributing to audits and service evaluation, and supporting reflective practice within the team.

Strong interpersonal skills, organisational ability, and a proactive approach to crisis management are essential to ensure safe, effective, and evidence‑based care for students.

About Mersey Care

Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and covering the North West, North Wales and the Midlands. We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities. At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care'—care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We’re currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.