Job Number
BU03868
School/Department
Student Support and Well-being
Grade
7
Contract Duration
Permanent
Responsible to
Head of Wellbeing & Inclusivity
Overview
The Directorate of Student and Academic Services brings together key professional services that support the student journey and enhance the academic experience at Bangor University. The Directorate comprises three main areas:
1. Registry, which oversees student administration and business support, and leads on quality assurance, academic enhancement, and curriculum management.
2. Student Life, which encompasses a wide range of student-facing services including Wellbeing and Inclusivity, Library Collections, Residential Life, Student Success (covering Teaching, Learning and Language Support, Careers, and Student Advice), and the Student Experience team.
3. Campus Services, responsible for the University’s day-to-day operational environment, including Facilities, Catering, Sport, the Nursery, and the Security and Response Team. From August 2025, it will also include the Management and Development Centre.
Together, these services work in close partnership with academic colleagues and other professional service directorates to provide a supportive, inclusive and high-quality environment in which students can thrive.
Purpose of the Job
The Duty Counsellor will provide specialist psychological and emotional support to students experiencing mental health, behavioural, or interpersonal challenges. The role is split between duty cover at the Hub in the Main Library and work within the Wellbeing & Inclusion team, currently based in Rathbone. Acting as one of the key contacts with the University’s external counselling provider, the post holder will help ensure effective referral pathways, safe and ethical practice, and timely interventions. They will support the Head of Wellbeing & Inclusivity in maintaining high-quality service delivery in line with professional standards and University policies.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Student Support & Clinical Work
4. Provide duty cover during designated sessions at the Hub, ensuring prompt and appropriate responses using a “right intervention at the right time” approach.
5. Deliver confidential one-to-one counselling for students (focussing on NWMS students and those requiring Welsh-medium provision), using advanced therapeutic skills, psychological theory, and evidence-based techniques.
6. Assess student needs and suitability for internal or external counselling provision, including matching for specific requirements (e.g. language, specialist services).
7. Identify and manage cases involving significant risk (e.g. suicidal ideation, self-harm, harm to others), formulating safety plans, engaging relevant resources, and referring appropriately within or outside the University.
8. Plan and prioritise clinical caseloads, ensuring timely access to initial, ongoing, urgent, and drop-in appointments, while balancing supervision, administration, and service commitments.
9. Adapt therapeutic planning to align with academic timetables, service policies, and contractual requirements.
Service Liaison & Partnership Working
10. Act as one of the key contacts for the external counselling provider, ensuring efficient referral processes, information sharing, and risk communication.
11. Liaise with academic schools, professional services, and external agencies (e.g. GPs, psychiatrists, community mental health teams) in the interests of student wellbeing.
12. Provide consultation and guidance to academic and support staff on managing student mental health concerns.
13. Respond promptly to urgent or complex enquiries from staff, students, and concerned third parties.
Data, Evaluation & Reporting
14. Use psychometric tools to assess progress and outcomes, recording and interpreting results.
15. Collect, maintain, and analyse service data, including referrals, waiting times, and risk presentations, to identify trends and inform service planning.
16. Prepare reports for the Head of Wellbeing & Inclusivity and contribute required statistics to initiatives such as the National Student Mental Health Partnership Programme.
17. Maintain accurate and confidential clinical records in accordance with University policy and professional standards.
Service Development & Contribution
18. Contribute to the design and delivery of wellbeing initiatives, campaigns, and workshops on topics such as anxiety, stress, and low mood.
19. Participate in the development, review, and implementation of service policies, procedures, and best practice guidelines.
20. Represent the Service at University events, training sessions, and relevant committees or working groups.
21. Share professional expertise within the team through meetings, case discussions, and peer support.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
22. Make a significant contribution to the preparation for audits, reviews, or other compliance-related activities, ensuring use of proper documentation and accurate record-keeping for accountability and reporting purposes.
23. The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities including attending training sessions, team meetings, or workshops to develop skills and enhance knowledge.
24. The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
25. The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
26. The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and relevant institutional policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
27. Undergraduate degree (or equivalent) and a recognised professional qualification in counselling/ psychotherapy.
28. Eligibility for accreditation by the BACP, UKCP, BABCP or equivalent professional body.
Desirable
29. Supervision qualification or experience of delivering supervision.
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
30. In depth knowledge of at least one counselling/psychotherapy theoretical model.
31. Substantial experience in undertaking clinical assessment.
32. Substantial post-qualification experience of individual counselling/psychotherapy, including experience in higher or further education, and of working with a wide range of psychological issues.
33. Experience of crisis management work including management of risk.
34. Knowledge of mental ill-health and its effects, particularly amongst the student population.
35. Experience of identifying, responding to and referring on clients who are mentally unwell or in need of psychiatric support/assessment.
Desirable
36. Experience of facilitating groups/workshops.
37. Understanding of current changes in higher education and their impact on students’ mental health.
38. Experience of working with students from diverse backgrounds and of inclusive practice.
39. Knowledge of local and national services and of relevant legislation.
Skills/Abilities
Essential
40. Excellent interpersonal skills and communication (verbal and written) skills.
41. Excellent IT skills and the ability to learn new systems.
42. Ability to write reports, interpret data and statistics.
43. Ability to work in a team that encompasses a range of theoretical perspectives.
Other
Essential
44. The ability to deliver counselling through the medium of Welsh is essential for this post.
45. This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.
46. A high level of confidentiality and discretion to maintain appropriate boundaries with all stakeholders.
General
We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.
All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.
Disclosure & Barring Service
This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.
As Bangor University meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions. DBS checks will be updated every 3 years.