3 Worcester Street, Oxford, OX1 2BX Student Welfare and Support Services Senior Clinician- Two posts available – both fixed-term for from January 2026 – January 2029 or if a secondment is offered the dates will be January 2026 – January 2028 1. 0.6 FTE (22.5 hours per week) a. Working days: Monday to Wednesday 2. 0.6 FTE (22.5 hours per week) a. Working days: Wednesday to Friday Grade 8: starting salary of £49,119 increasing incrementally to £58,265 pro rata, per annum About Student Welfare and Support Services Student Welfare and Support Services (SWSS) works collaboratively on student health and welfare issues with colleagues across colleges, academic and administrative departments, the Oxford University Student Union, and key statutory and external partners. We are now offering a dynamic opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of a new Mental Health Advisory Service. This service will:
1. Provide support for students living with serious, complex, and enduring mental health difficulties
2. Offer clinical consultancy, incident response, and case coordination for academic and professional welfare colleagues
3. Build proactive liaison and care pathways with NHS services
This is a rare opportunity to help shape and develop a new provision, adapting the well-established University Mental Health Advisor model to the unique welfare landscape of the collegiate university. What We Offer Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:
4. 38 days of annual leave to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
5. One of the most generous maternity and adoption leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay leave, followed by additional statutory and unpaid leave options.
6. A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.
7. An excellent contributory pension scheme.
8. Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
9. Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.
About the Role The Mental Health Advisor will play a key role in the University’s new Mental Health Advisory Service — a pioneering three-year pilot establishing specialist provision for undergraduate and postgraduate students experiencing serious, complex, or enduring mental health difficulties. Working within a culturally sensitive, neuro-inclusive, social recovery model, you will provide expert assessment, intervention, and care and safety planning to help students engage successfully with their studies and wider university life. You will also offer specialist consultation and advice to academic and professional services staff, and act as a key liaison between the University, colleges, and NHS services to ensure joined-up support and effective care pathways. Finally, you will contribute to the development and evaluation of this new service, supporting continuous improvement and the delivery of best practice in student mental health provision. About You Candidates should have/be able to demonstrate:
10. Professional qualification and current registration in a relevant mental health profession (e.g. RMN, Clinical or Counselling Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker).
11. Specialist knowledge and experience of supporting adults with serious and enduring mental health conditions (including eating disorders, major depression, schizophrenia, emotionally unstable personality disorders, OCD, and students presenting with severe self-harm, suicidality, or emotional dysregulation).
12. Proven ability in risk assessment, crisis intervention, and safety planning, including calm and authoritative decision-making in high-pressure situations.
13. Experience providing consultation and guidance to colleagues in managing complex or high-risk cases.
14. Up-to-date training and demonstrable experience in child and adult safeguarding at Level 3.
15. Strong commitment to culturally sensitive, inclusive, and neuro-affirming practice, aligned with the social recovery model.
16. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and sensitively.
17. Strong organisational and IT skills, with the ability to manage a varied caseload alongside service development responsibilities.
Application Process
18. A covering letter/supporting statement
19. Your CV
20. The details of two referees