Mental Health Service Lead

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Student Welfare and Support Services works collaboratively on student health and welfare issues with colleagues in colleges, academic and administrative departments, the Oxford University Student Union and key statutory services and other partners outside of the University.

Services include the Counselling Service, Disability Advisory Service, the Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service, Peer Support Programme, and Mental Health Awareness Training, all aimed at supporting the well-being of our students so they can flourish academically.

About the Role

In this role you will define, develop, launch, manage, and evaluate a new Mental Health Advisory Service for students, working work closely with the Co-Directors of Student Welfare and Support Services, the Counselling team, Disability Advisory Services, and the department Psychiatrist. This service will offer specialized support for students facing significant mental health challenges, provide guidance for college welfare teams, and acting as a new point of liaison and care co-ordination with NHS secondary services. The service will be based within Student Welfare and Support Services and will involve extensive outreach and engagement with colleges and NHS services.

About You - See full list in the Job Description

Candidates should have/be able to demonstrate:

• A recognised qualification in an Approved Mental Health or psychological profession such as Registered Mental Health nurse, Occupational Therapist, Qualified Social Worker or Clinical or Counselling Psychologist and up-to-date accreditation and/or registration with the relevant professional body.
• Advanced practitioner knowledge of complex, serious and enduring mental health conditions, and neurodevelopmental and neurodivergent conditions. Demonstrable experience, confidence and skills applying this knowledge to the assessment, monitoring and collaborative working with clients experiencing mental health difficulties, including delivering neuro-inclusive and neuro-affirming mental health or psychologically informed interventions.
• Substantial experience, knowledge and leadership skills in mental illness related risk assessment and crisis management in an organisational setting, including calm and confident decision making, procedural action and communication. Knowledge of all associated legal and professional frameworks and responsibilities and a commitment to safe practice.
• Substantial experience of strategic and operational leadership of mental health services, including the creation of policies, clinical and operational processes, developing new projects, monitoring and reporting. Demonstrable ability to hold a considerable degree of independent professional responsibility, including delivering strategic priorities in line with wider university or service commitments, prioritisation of resourcing and management of high-volume casework in a complex setting.

Application Process

To apply, please upload:

• A covering letter/supporting statement
• Your CV
• The details of two referees

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 23 April 2025.

Interviews will take place on 7 or 8 May and will be held face to face.

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