The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page. The Role and Department The Counselling & Mental Health Service is a multi-disciplinary central specialist service for student mental health and wellbeing in the University. It sits within the Student Experience Directorate. The Service provides individual and group interventions, advice for University staff, and develops proactive initiatives around mental health and wellbeing. The Service exists to enable students to make the most of the academic and social opportunities that the University affords, and to support staff managing student mental health need across the University. The Service is responsive to the changing needs of Durham University and operates within clear ethical and professional guidelines. The Psychological Wellbeing Advisors (PWAs) offerstudents individual support sessions and psychoeducational workshops and groups. They create and deliver psychoeducational programmes and resources and identify areas of self-help information and resource need. The PWAs network with and deliver psychoeducational sessions to University staff, student groups and external resource providers and take an active role in other aspects of service provision. Please note: The expected start date for this post is 1st September 2026 Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: • You'll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. • We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS). • No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance. • We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. • We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. • Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16. • Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). • We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. • You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions. • Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. • If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. to some visas. What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered. Your application should cover the following criteria: Qualifications/Experience 1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience). 2. Qualified, experienced practitionerwith working knowledge and expertise from a relevant background such as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP), Assistant Psychologist or Mental Health Nurse,to deliver psychological and listening support, and psychoeducational interventions to individuals and groups. 3. Training in, and experience of using the cognitive-behavioural therapy model 4. Enthusiasm for and experience of delivering training and presentations. 5. Experience of implementing policy and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines. 6. Experience of providing specialist mental health advice and guidance to clients and colleagues, including more senior colleagues. 7. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice. 8. Experience of working with difference, including individuals with a range of Protected Characteristics Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 9. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally. 10. Experience of mental health crisis-management. 11. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including internet, email, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking and records systems and creative design software. 12. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition. 13. Ability to contribute to planning and service-development at an operational level. Desirable Criteria Experience of working in amental health support role in higher education or similar context Knowledge of a range of therapeutic interventions How to Apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. What you are required to submit • A CV: and • A supporting document listing in order the 13 Essential Criteria in the Person Specification and explaining how you meet each one. For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Kate Augarde, Head of Service, at cmh.service@durham.ac.uk Typical Role Requirements Service delivery/development Provide specialist advice, psychological interventions and listening support in line with the University's policies, regulations and values, and relevant legislation and professional codes of conduct Deliver and develop our psychological wellbeing programme comprising psychoeducational and academic wellbeing workshops, webinars, drop-ins, campaigns and online self-help resources Manage the delivery of student support to a high standard and ensure that this is delivered in a student-focussed way. Offer students individual short-term psychological support and psychoeducation including listening support, support with problem-solving and signposting. Maintain accurate and timely records of support and ongoing actions on the University record systems, ensuring that all records comply with data protection legislation; Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University's values. Planning and Organisation Contribute to the development of operational and strategic plans and service level agreements. Contribute to wider Service-development and continuous improvement. Contribute to collection and analysis of Service data and feedback including identifying Service deficits (for example accessibility for under-represented groups) to recommend areas for future improvement. Seek feedback from students and other key stakeholders so that the service is adapted to meet client expectations and to plan future requirements. Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services. Communication/Liaison Use operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees. Develop and optimise Service communications such as social media and online resources to enhance student engagement and awareness Network with and outreach to the wider University student population to identify student support need Use a range of media and systems to communicate with internal and external stakeholders. Participate in and monitor communities of practice and partnership working internally and externally, for example: Engagement in practice supervision and line-management Networking with local community resource providers Any other reasonable duties. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable.