Mental Health Adviser


Company:	Newcastle University
Salary:	Not specified
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Newcastle, NE1 7RU
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	30 Sept 2026
Closing date:	14 Oct 2026

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Summary

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Information about the role

The Wellbeing Consultancy team acts as an initial point of contact for students, parents, academics and other stakeholders to disclose welfare or safety concerns about any Newcastle University student. The team offers responsive support and signposting for students experiencing high distress and mental health concern, as well as guidance and consultancy to university colleagues.

This vital role would suit a candidate with experience of working in dynamic and fast-paced settings with a passion for working in Higher Education. Experience of working in mental health or safeguarding, with high distress and complex presentations is essential. Please note the qualification expectations prior to applying.

The workload model is split between ‘duty’ working – where the work is to assess and manage risk and complex mental health presentations

- and follow up caseload intervention. The role is student-facing, requiring proactive engagement via in-person support, telephone calls, and online meetings.

You will work closely as part of a duty team, supporting colleagues and sharing responsibility for promoting student welfare, responding to concerns, and ensuring a safe and supportive environment. A strong team ethos and commitment to working together are essential.

The role is campus based. There may be some flexible hybrid working dependent on service need. The fixed working hours are 29.6 hpw, 4 days a week, between Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter (of no more than 2 sides A4) outlining how you meet the criteria in The Person. There are also 3 mandatory questions to complete

Interviews to be held on Monday 2nd November 2026.

Please contact Welfare and Counselling Service Manager, Kirsty Hutchinson, on kirsty.hutchinson@newcastle.ac.uk with any questions or for an informal discussion about the role.

The Role

To play a key role in contributing to a professional, specialist advice and guidance service to students with a range of mental health and wellbeing difficulties and vulnerabilities. This service enables students to engage in and access their studies and encourages academic progress and student retention.

To comprehensively respond to a range of concerns related to mental health and wellbeing risk and vulnerability, from a range of sources. This includes but is not limited to: external health and emergency services, students, families, academic and professional service colleagues, and other third parties.

To advise and support the wider HEI in relation to meeting the needs of students, acting as a source of knowledge and expertise on student mental health and welfare.

The role is campus based. There may be some flexible hybrid working dependent on service need.

Key Accountabilities

- To act as a central point of contact for students with varied, complex and sensitive mental health and wellbeing difficulties or vulnerabilities:o discuss support requirements;

o provide advice, guidance and information on relevant internal and external services;

o provide assessment and short-term support to students experiencing a range of welfare concerns, including safety planning;

o refer to other agencies as appropriate;

o manage risk appropriately, initiating safeguarding processes where necessary.

Presenting concerns may include; complex mental health, high distress and crisis, housing and welfare, police and crime matters (where students may be the alleged reporter or responder) such as allegations of assault, discrimination and sexual violence etc.

- To offer proactive appointments to students to discuss relevant support requirements and to facilitate any ensuing communication and liaison with academic schools and other University departments

- To manage safeguarding, student crisis and follow up ‘Out of Hours’ incidents. This may include, but is not exclusive to, missing students, hospitalisations, students being at risk to themselves or others, etc.

- To act as a consultant and trainer to university staff to provide support and clinical reasoning, working together to support students with a range of mental health and wellbeing vulnerabilities

- To work in a multi-disciplinary team fashion, liaising with both external bodies and internal colleagues to assist in providing adequate support for students

- To undertake regular training and CPD, keeping up to date with changes in legislation, Government policy, research etc. and act as an information resource to the University on matters relating to emotional and psychological difficulties and mental health

- To maintain memberships and accreditations under appropriate national bodies and relevant accreditations

- To participate in promotion of SHWS activity, open days, receptions, Welcome Week which, from time to time, may require working out-of-hours i.e. evenings and weekends (only very occasional)

- To complete and maintain the electronic notes adhering to the Service policy and data protection requirement

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

- Knowledge and understanding of the implications of a range of mental health difficulties on individuals and potential impact on the University experience

- Strong experience of crisis management, safeguarding and coping with sometimes life-threatening situations

- A highly flexible working style, duty-style working

- Excellent communication, advice and guidance skills

- Ability to exercise initiative and judgement in relation to decision making

- Ability to manage time and resources effectively by prioritising and organising a high volume, complex and varied workload

- Evidence of experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team

- Evidence of commitment to principles of equal opportunities and diversity

- Competent IT skills: Word, Excel, Email, Internet, Databases

Attributes and Behaviour

- Takes the initiative to ensure future success of the University and area by presenting new ideas and approaches

- Recognises urgency and takes decisive action when required

- Accepts the reality and requirements of change as part of achieving organisational goals

- Anticipates change and prepares for it. Accepts change and ‘runs’ with it

- Establishes effective time management and workload systems, planning tasks in a systematic way in conjunction with team and area objectives

- Confidently deals with and considers large amounts of complex information quickly and identifies key issues

Qualifications

- A relevant professional qualification such as Mental Health Nurse/Social Worker/PWP/Counsellor, and/or substantial demonstrable expertise in mental health or safeguarding

- Qualifications in or experience of working in a safeguarding or crisis management role is desirable

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