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Job Purpose
The Purpose of this role is to support the University in responding to the current wellbeing challenges in the higher education sector, ensuring that students have access to appropriate resources and support to achieve their academic and personal goals. The post holder will provide first line guidance, advice and support to students on a variety of general wellbeing issues. This may include issues relating to health, personal relationships, accommodation, finance and emotional wellbeing, referring students for disability support, counselling, academic support etc. as required. The Wellbeing Officer will be a member of the Student Wellbeing & Inclusion Team, based within the Student & Academic Services Directorate, and is expected to work closely with colleagues in the Directorate and across the University to deliver a range of proactive support. This will include face to face and online interventions and, where appropriate, workshops and group information sessions. These will assist students to develop skills to manage and maintain their mental health and wellbeing.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. The provision of information, advice and guidance to students regarding wellbeing related issues, typically these would include general welfare, health, practical guidance and personal issues. This could include one-to-one work, group workshops and comms materials.
2. To conduct assessment of student mental health issues and make clinical recommendations within remit of the Counselling service. Where necessary identify and proactively seek clinical consultation and review of more complex cases.
3. To identify and liaise with the Clinical Leads/ Head of Service regarding any potential crisis situation or issue which may be to the detriment of student welfare and safety.
4. To maintain appropriate electronic and written records including session notes, records of attendance and contact with other relevant parties. Progress cases as appropriate through CORE NET electronic case file management system.
5. To pursue continuous professional development and maintain professional accreditations and memberships, in order to maintain knowledge base, self-awareness, and enhanced skills.
6. To participate in service development and delivery in consultation with the Clinical Leads and Head of Service.
7. To collaborate with the wider multi-disciplinary team and associated colleagues, to provide effective wellbeing support and clear referral pathways.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
A1 Accredited Qualification in Counselling/CBT.
A2 Hold at least membership of an appropriate recognised professional body e.g. UKCP / HCPC / BPS/ BACP/BABCP or equivalent A3 Scottish Credit & Qualification Framework Level 8 (HND, SVQ4) or equivalent and experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).
A3 Thorough knowledge and understanding of the ethical frameworks for professional practice, of the above recognised professional body for which the post holder is a member of.
A4 Knowledge and experience of the University/Higher Education counselling service sector.
A5 Knowledge of relevant mental health issues impacting university students.
A6 Understanding of the emotional and developmental aspects of student learning.
A7 Understanding of student stage of personal development and transitions.
A8 A working knowledge of the legal framework in which counselling and psychological therapy sits e.g. Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act and Equality Act.
Desirable
B1 Be Accredited or working towards full Accreditation with BACP/BABCP/UKCP or equivalent.
B2 Practical knowledge and understanding of online and telephone counselling.
Skills
Essential
C1 Proven clinical assessment skills.
C2 Effective liaison, negotiation and referral skills.
C3 Proven ability to use initiative and pro-actively seek guidance and consultation on complex cases.
C4 Developed self-awareness.
C5 Ability to communicate effectively with students and university staff (Professional and academic).
C6 Empathy with the mental health issues that students may experience.
C7 Ability to work collaboratively within a team and across teams.
C8 Ability to work confidentially and cooperatively with a range of academic and other support staff.
C9 Ability to work calmly under pressure using emotional resilience and stamina.
C10 Proficient in the use of Microsoft Outlook and other relevant business packages including CORE NET.
C11 Ability to work effectively with students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
C12 Ability to sensitively and professionally support students presenting as at risk or in crisis.
C13 Work within the BACP Ethical Framework and follow the BACP UC guidelines of good practice.
C14 To communicate in a professional and sensitive manner clinical and non-clinical advice and information within scope of practice to clients, relatives/carers (where consent has been given), other practitioners and statutory services as appropriate.
C15 Ability to use effective and ethical clinical judgement in the assessment and referral of clients.
C16 Ability to prioritise own workload and work under own initiative.
C17 Ability to spot opportunities for service development and translate these into practice where appropriate.
Experience
Essential
E1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar or number of different roles.
E2 Practical experience of clinical assessment.
E3 Experience of risk management in relation to mental health.
E4 Experience of working within a busy, pressurised environment.
Desirable
F1 Experience of working within a short-term/brief therapy model.
F2 Experience working within a University/Higher Education based counselling service or equivalent.
Job Features
Dimensions
Be part of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of Counsellors, Psychologists, Mental Health Advisors, CBT therapists, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Consultant Psychiatrist, Administration team and trainees. While accountable to the Head of Service holds full professional responsibility for ensuring ethical practice and best standards in the delivery of individual one to one sessions and assessments. Full responsibility for relevant aspects of casework administration and also cooperative participation in regular management meetings. Along with other members of the team, assist the Head of Service in setting and advancing the strategic direction for the Wellbeing and Inclusion team.
Planning and Organising
¿ Plan and organise workload as directed by line management, balancing conflicting demands and managing deadlines
¿ Work effectively within departmental and university guidelines
¿ Respond to the needs of students in a manner that maintains high quality service in a context of limited resources
Decision Making
¿ The postholder is guided by principles and broad occupational policies and has some discretion to work within a set of defined parameters
¿ Operational matters can be escalated to the Head of Student Wellbeing and Inclusion for guidance
¿ Clinical matters can be escalated to Clinical Leads in the event that further guidance is required
Internal/External Relationships
¿ Communicate effectively with all key internal and external stakeholders building relationships to promote a holistic approach to student wellbeing
¿ Encourage and develop integration and good working practices with relevant support services across the University
¿ Referral to, and liaison with, GP¿s, CMHT, and other relevant internal and external sources of help
Manage barriers to acceptance or understanding which need to be overcome using the highest level of interpersonal and communication skills.
Problem Solving
¿ Select the most appropriate method and scope for delivering information, advice and support from an organisation, agency or professional colleagues
¿ Be responsible for the escalation of appropriate cases to Line Management (where appropriate) for decision-making and consultation in accordance with professional standards and also department and university policies
Other
The remit of the Wellbeing & Inclusion team extends beyond interventions with students and can include the provision of staff and parent consultation work (usually carried out by telephone); induction talks; group work with students; staff training for academic and other support services¿ staff, to enhance their understanding and skills in student mental health and wellbeing.
A Disclosure/PVG check is required for this role. **
Terms and Conditions
**
Salary will be on the Management, Professional and Administrative Grade, level 6, £29,176 - £32,817 per annum.
This post is offered on a full time and fixed-term basis to 14 February 2022.
The University would consider a secondment opportunity for this post. University of Glasgow applicants should seek clearance for release for secondment from their line manager before making a formal application.
Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme
The post for which you are applying is considered ¿registered work¿ in terms of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act. It requires the successful applicant to become a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme member prior to appointment. This check is necessary to ensure that the University of Glasgow fulfils its legal duties under the Act.
If you are successful in your application, the offer of employment will be subject to PVG Scheme membership. Further information is available at: https://www.mygov.scot/pvg-scheme/
Please note that under Section 34(1) of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 it is a criminal offence to apply to carry out or to carry out regulated work from which that individual is barred.
New entrants to the University will be required to serve a probationary period of 6 months.
The successful applicant will be eligible to join the Universities¿ Superannuation Scheme. Further information regarding the scheme is available from the Superannuation Officer, who is also prepared to advise on questions relating to the transfer of Superannuation benefits.
Vacancy reference: 046985; closing date: 3 February 2021.
It is the University of Glasgow¿s mission to foster an inclusive climate, which ensures equality in our working, learning, research and teaching environment.
We strongly endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, including a supportive and flexible working environment, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equity.
The University of Glasgow, charity number SC004401.
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