Full Time – Permanent – High Wycombe with some travel required to other BNU campuses
Salary – £33,951 - £37,694
Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. That’s why our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed.
Our University’s DRIVE values and are at the heart of all that we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission.
Buckinghamshire New University is seeking a qualified Mental Health Adviser to join our Counselling & Mental Health Service. In this specialist role, you’ll provide comprehensive mental health assessments, crisis support, and evidence-based interventions for students experiencing moderate to complex difficulties.
You’ll manage a varied caseload, deliver personalised support plans, and work collaboratively with internal teams and external services to ensure coordinated, student-centred care. The role also includes offering guidance to staff, contributing to mental-health training, and supporting early-intervention and resilience-building initiatives across our campuses.
We are looking for a professionally qualified practitioner with strong risk-management skills, sound knowledge of safeguarding and mental-health legislation, and the ability to work autonomously while maintaining excellent communication and professional boundaries.
Join us in creating a safe, inclusive, and proactive wellbeing environment where every learner can thrive.
What we offer:
* a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
* Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
* training & development support opportunities
* contributory pension scheme
* discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
* a range of staff discounts with major retailers.
Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.
Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank.
Please click here to view our employee handbook.
If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University’s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.
For further information about this role please contact Sana Wasiq – Counselling and Mental Health Manager at Sana.Wasiq@bnu.ac.uk
All applications are to be made in full and online.
BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU’s workforce.
These include people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.
Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role. Please reach out to sana.wasiq@bnu.ac.uk, if you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you
We ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.
Closing Date: 4 January 2026
Interview Date: w/c 12 January 2026
Please note that an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required for this position.¿ The successful applicant will be required to give consent to check their criminal record status through the DBS. Information will be kept in strict confidence.¿ Your offer of appointment will be subject to the University being satisfied with the outcome of this check.
If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Mental Health Adviser
Faculty/Directorate: Learner Success
Grade: F
Location: Based at High Wycombe with attendance required at Uxbridge and Aylesbury as needed
Hours: 37
Responsible to: Counselling and Mental Health Manager
Responsible for:
The successful candidate will provide professional assessment, support and advice to learners experiencing a wide range of mental health difficulties.
Job Purpose:
We are seeking to appoint a qualified mental health practitioner for the role of Mental Health Adviser within Buckinghamshire New University’s Counselling and Mental Health Service. This role will support the Mental Health Provision to respond to complex mental health cases.
Main Duties & Responsibilities of the role:
1) To facilitate and deliver mental health support to learners, to help them realise their potential during their time at university, promoting the resilience and maintenance of positive mental health.
2) Providing wellbeing interventions, advice, guidance and support for learners experiencing acute or chronic mental health difficulties to enable them to succeed at university.
3) Providing generic information and advice to university staff on matters concerning mental health and psychiatric conditions.
4) Providing comprehensive mental health assessments and individual support to learners undergoing a crisis or deterioration in their mental state.
5) Supporting learners experiencing difficulties by promoting maintenance of positive mental health, personal resilience, and providing a crisis response when needed.
6) To support learners to identify their needs and goals, encouraging and enabling learners to develop positive/effective condition management skills, working to the Recovery Model of Mental Health.
7) To refer, triage and support learners with mental health issues within the Counselling and Mental Health Service.
8) To deliver a high-quality customer-focused service, across all three campus sites, in line with the University objectives.
9) Maintaining adequate records of cases and participate in supervision sessions to discuss and review case management and complex cases.
10) The post holder will contribute to the delivery of mental health trainings across BNU sites with some travelling needed to other campuses on a need to basis.
11) Comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; and Equality and Diversity requirements and legislation in all working practices.
12) Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.
To view the full job description, please visit BNU website.