Specialist Mentor (Mental Health and Autism)

Student Services at the University of Derby is committed to providing the best possible support services to our students, to enhance the student experience, to help students achieve their full potential and to meet the strategic aims of the University. These services are central to the student experience they are visible, seamless, effective and tailored to the needs of our student community. As part of this commitment, a transformational programme of work is underway in Student Services to ensure that the support we deliver not only meets the needs of our students but also enables delivery of a vision for a developmental and collaborative model of student services that supports a transformational educational experience for students. 

We are excited for this next chapter in our service and welcome applicants with vision, drive and a passion for supporting student success.

As a Specialist Mentor (Mental Health and Autism) you will work with individual students in the development of bespoke strategies to support independent learning and self-management to address the barriers to learning created by their disability. You will deliver specialist individual sessions to students in accordance with accredited standards and university policies and procedures, ensuring that student needs are met in line with their individual needs. 

Actual hours and days will be described in a ‘Schedule of Work’.

We are looking for an individual with experience of providing mentoring support on an individual basis to support students with mental health problems or Autism. The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience of working within a mental health setting and possess the ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality. You should be able to stay calm in challenging situations, providing steady support to those in need. 

If you have a passion for helping others and thrive in a student support environment, we encourage you to apply!

1. Provide regular, one-to-one, support for students who experience mental illness and/or Autism.
2. To work in conjunction with the Student Support team and student to identify the student’s individual support needs and draw up a support agreement form.
3. To promote the development of independent learning and self-management strategies.
4. To assist in finding appropriate solutions for queries and problems and act as a link between the student and other areas of the university when necessary.
5. To assist the student in managing workloads and planning their time effectively.
6. To complete relevant paperwork in line with the Quality Assurance Framework.
7. To discuss and devise revision strategies and techniques.
8. To keep accurate records, regularly assess and review student’s progress and amend study strategy accordingly.
9. To monitor the student’s mental health and raise concerns, at the earliest opportunity.
10. To maintain confidentiality and work within the policies and procedures of the Student Services.
11. Keep accurate records and log time spent with/for the student for payment/invoicing purposes.
12. To provide support to the wider Student Support team when available.
13. Contribute to a Critical Incident on-call rota for the Student Services.
14. To contribute, as appropriate, to the evaluation and monitoring of the service provision.
15. To attend regular group supervision meetings with the Student Support team.
16. To maintain professional body registration and update Continuous Professional Development (CPD) within requirements.
17. To be responsible for promoting the University’s Equality & Diversity Policy.
18. Maintain a safe working environment and to work to the University Health and Safety Policy.