Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Student Counsellor to join our Counselling and Mental Health Support Team at the University of Derby. As a key member of our team, you will provide high-quality counselling and mental health support services to students, promoting their wellbeing and academic success.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individual counselling sessions to students experiencing mental health and emotional issues, using evidence-based therapeutic approaches and techniques.
• Conduct clinical assessments, risk assessments, and provide therapeutic interventions as needed, making referrals to external agencies when necessary.
• Respond to urgent cases, making risk assessments and providing timely referrals, while maintaining confidentiality and adhering to professional and ethical principles.
• Maintain accurate records, using electronic case management systems and shared case-note folders, ensuring compliance with legal and university requirements.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with students, academic staff, and other stakeholders, promoting a culture of wellbeing and mental health awareness.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of mental health and wellbeing initiatives, working collaboratively with colleagues to enhance student experience and retention.
• Participate in peer supervision, case discussions, team meetings, and training opportunities, ensuring ongoing professional development and growth.
• Represent the University in internal and external meetings, promoting the Counselling and Mental Health Service and its values.

Person Specification

• Master's degree in Counselling or a related field.
• Formal professional training in counselling/psychotherapy to at least diploma level.
• Professional registration with an appropriate organisation (e.g. BACP, BABCP).
• Experience of providing 1:1 counselling to a client group experiencing a wide range of mental health and emotional issues.
• Experience in risk assessment and crisis management.
• Experience of working with issues common to the client group of students, such as transition, anxiety, self-esteem, self-harm, procrastination, and exam panic.
• Excellent therapeutic skills, with the ability to maintain clear therapeutic boundaries and manage safeguarding and confidentiality issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including a confident and dynamic approach to liaising with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work as part of a team, building effective working relationships with a wide range of colleagues.
• Sound appreciation of the ways in which counselling and mental health support services underpin the student experience, student retention, and a university's strategic objectives.

Desirable Criteria

• MSc in Counselling.
• Other/advanced qualification in Mental Health.