Careers
Two positions are currently opened:
We are looking for dynamic Specialist Mental Health Mentors to work with students who have a diagnosed mental health condition and are studying at university.
We are currently recruiting experienced Specialist Mental Health Mentors with ADHD experience to join our supportive and dedicated team to work at various Universities across the UK with students who have a diagnosed mental health condition/s and are studying for an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification.
The role involves working in person on a one-to-one basis, supporting the student to mitigate the impact of their condition on their studies.
The person would be reporting to the Lead at this well-established not for profit organisation. They would be working to a flexible employers zero hour contract with holiday, pension and sick pay and other benefits on top (EAP) of the base rate pay of £35.00/hr (inside M25) and £33/hr (outside M25)
We would be particularly keen to hear from applicants who can offer 25 plus hours commitment per week during term time (for London based roles and 15plus hours for main cities outside of London).
The successful candidate must be an accredited mental health practitioner, either as a counsellor, mental health social worker, mental health nurse, psychotherapist, OT, psychologist or other relevant mental health profession (please see mandatory criteria pp9-10 here: bit.ly/3x6UlhJ).
The candidate will have experience of working in the area of mental health intervention and will be committed to disability equality. Excellent communication and inter-personal skills are essential together with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- At least 2 years experience post qualifying experience in working with young people or adults with mental health (MH) conditions.
- High level of competence with methods to apply to working with students with MH conditions.
- Familiarity with a multi-cultural perspective and experience of working with young people and/or adults from ethnic minority communities.
- Understanding of the impact of medication on the experience of learning.
- Ability to form good working relationships with others as well as an ability to work independently and part of a team.
- Interest and ability to contribute to a professional service development.
- A genuine commitment to the development and ethos of UMO involving cooperation among other specialist mentors and professionals.
- Principle duties are:
- Provide mentoring to students studying for a qualification at university who have a MH diagnosis.
- Understand the impact of the student condition on the student’s ability to learn.
- Assist the student’s independent learning through ‘life skills’ support.
- Understand the impact of the MH condition on the experience of being a university student.
- Monitor the student’s mental health and have the ability to assess risk.
- Provide an intervention that is supportive, reflective and insightful and at times practical and motivating.
- Prevent or alleviate drop out from university.
- Encourage the development of personal responsibility and resources within the student to aide their development both in learning and in their emotional life at university.
- Offer practical ideas and at times study support.
- Reduce the stresses of the university experience and the emotional experience of learning.
- Offer feedback to the HEI about the student.
- Maintain records and to keep all student information confidential in accordance with GDPR.
- Participate in clinical supervision and termly team meetings.
- Liaise with GPs, referrers and other professional workers when required.
Please note: Staff will be expected to offer in person support.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates.
A role description and person specification can be sent on request.
Interested candidates should send a covering letter and a CV to:
We are looking for dynamic Specialist Autism Mentors to work with students who have a diagnosed AS condition and are studying at HE or FE.
We are seeking a number of positions, to work with AS students studying within London. The candidate would be available to meet students in person, yet some remote working with will also be possible.
The person would be available to start ASAP, reporting to the Mentor Manager at this well-established not for profit organisation. They would be working to a flexible employer’s contract with holiday and sick pay £35/hour (inside M25) and £33/hr (outside M25).
Successful candidates are provided with, amongst other benefits: an EAP, supervision, group supervision, sick pay and holiday pay.
The practitioner would be able to commit to a number of contact hours per week with students during term time, accommodating students in their schedule as and when they are referred.
The successful candidate will be/have:
An honours degree (in any subject) and must meet the SFE Mandatory Criteria for Band 4 Specialist Mentor – Autism Spectrum Conditions SM-ASC (pages 9 to 11).
You will have experience of working in the area of autism support and will be committed to disability equity. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential together with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- At least 3 years experience in working with young people or adults with AS.
- High level of competence with methods to apply to working with students with AS conditions.
- Interest and ability to contribute to a professional service development.
- Ability to form good working relationships with others as well as an ability to work independently and part of a team.
- A genuine commitment to the development and ethos of UMO involving cooperation among other specialist mentors and professionals.
- Familiarity with a multi-cultural perspective and experience of working with young people and/or adults from ethnic minority communities.
- Understanding of the impact of medication on the experience of learning.
The principle duties will be too:
- Provide mentoring to students studying for a qualification at university who have a diagnosis of Autism.
- Understand the impact of Autism on the student’s ability to learn.
- Understand the impact of Autism on the experience of being a university student.
- Monitor the student’s mental health and have the ability to assess risk.
- Provide an intervention that is supportive, reflective and insightful and at times practical and motivating.
- Prevent or alleviate drop out from university.
- Assist the student’s independent learning through ‘life skills’ support.
- Encourage the development of personal responsibility and resources within the student to aide their development both in learning and in their emotional life at university.
- Offer practical ideas and at times study support.
- Reduce the stresses of the university experience and the emotional experience of learning.
- Offer feedback to the HEI about the student.
- Maintain records and to keep all student information confidential in accordance with GDPR.
- Participate in clinical supervision and termly team meetings.
- Liaise with GPs, referrers and other professional workers when required.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates.
A role description and person specification can be sent on request.
Interested candidates should send a covering letter and a CV to: