Download Specialist Mentor - University of Essex

University of Essex
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title and Grade:
Specialist Mentor, Grade 7
Contract:
Part time, fixed term to 30 June 2014. This post is fixedterm because there is uncertainty about the need for this
post in the foreseeable future.
Hours:
Initially 5 hours per week in term time (30 weeks per year)
with additional hours offered as they are available.
Salary:
Payment is 1.5 hours for each hour with a student to
incorporate session planning and record keeping.
Department/Section:
Student Support, Academic Section
Responsible to:
Director of Student Support
Reports on a day to day basis to:
Deputy Director of Student Support (Wellbeing)
Purpose of job:
To provide one-to-one practical and emotional support to
undergraduates and postgraduates with a mental health
difficulty, Asperger’s Syndrome or other disability in order to
enable them access their course, succeed at their studies
and engage as fully as possible with student life. To assist
in the development and provision of a professional and proactive advisory and support service for prospective or
enrolled students with mental health issues.
Further information about the services offered by Student
Support can be found on www2.essex.ac.uk/stdsup/
Duties of the Post:
The Mentor will work closely with members of Student Support to provide an efficient and professional
service to students, particularly students with mental health difficulties and Asperger's Syndrome.
The post holder will act as mentor for a number of students providing on going advice and support on
a regular basis. The delivery of mentor sessions funds this post. As a result, the primary duty of this
post is to deliver mentor sessions. However, the post holder will act as a member of Student Support
and, as a result, will be asked to assist with other duties taken on by the team e.g. MH promotion,
follow up casework, responding to drop in callers.
The successful candidate will be paid by each hour worked (an additional half an hour can be paid for
report writing and follow up work). Exact hours to be decided although it is expected that mentors will
be able to work flexibly and be able to undertake occasional work at evenings and weekends, if
necessary. Mentors may also be required to accompany students to locations both on and off
campus.
This role will primarily be based at the Colchester campus with travel to other campuses at Southend
and Loughton as necessary.
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The duties of the post include:
Mentoring

Develop professional and supportive working relationships with individual students with
support needs (e.g. mental health difficulties, Asperger’s Syndrome).

Provide regular, one-to-one support sessions to students, often over the whole academic year
offering practical and emotional support by way of listening and problem-solving. Work in a
way consistent with the principle of empowerment.

Support students to set targets and define focus for sessions and review regularly.

Keep written records of sessions and follow-up on non-attendance.

Assist students with independent learning by advising on accessing study materials, assisting
with the development of generic academic skills, e.g. time management and facilitating
interpretation of course requirements.
Casework, Drop-in and Related Duties:

To assess students who self-refer or are referred by others and refer on to the appropriate
sources of support both internal and external e.g. the University Health Centre or CMHT. This
can involve visiting students in their accommodation.

To provide a point of contact for students, staff and family concerned about a student and
provide advice to them as appropriate.

If appropriate, to act as duty adviser, taking enquires and providing information and initial
advice through individual interviews with students and applicants visiting the office or using
the Wellbeing drop in sessions and responding to enquiries received by e-mail or telephone.

Maintaining accurate records (including Student Support Database and CORE) of student
enquiries and any follow-up work undertaken in the prescribed form.

Carrying out follow up casework as necessary.

Play an active role in the team’s response to students with individual examination
arrangements e.g. exam anxiety and panic information and sessions.
Other

Respond to complex or emerging issues by focusing on early intervention to minimise crisis in
consultation with the Deputy Director/s.

Liaise with and refer to mental health care providers and to other appropriate specialist
services, if necessary and in consultation with the Deputy Director/s.

Work with wellbeing practitioners, advisers and other mentors on developments to the service
including those in line with changes in legislation.

Delivery of student and staff development sessions and workshops.

Attendance and participation at meetings, open days and other events as required.

Ensure confidentiality of students’ personal information in accordance with the Data
Protection Act and the Student Support Confidentiality Policy.

Engage in supervision and participate in any training deemed necessary for the post.
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
Undertake other reasonable duties, as required by the Deputy Director/s and their nominees.
These duties are a guide to the work that the post holder will initially be required to undertake. They
may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances and do not form part of the
contract of employment.
Terms of Appointment:
For a full description of the terms of appointment for this post please visit:
http://www.essex.ac.uk/personnel/CondServ/default.htm
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University of Essex
PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE: Mentor
POST REF:
Qualifications /Training
Essential

A good level of general education, qualified to A Level standard,
or equivalent.

Education to degree level or beyond

Professional qualification in Mental Health e.g. RMN, Dip SW or
Diploma in counselling or psychotherapy
Desirable
x
x
x
Experience/Knowledge
Essential







Significant recent experience of working one-to-one with people
with mental health difficulties or asperger’s syndrome
x
An understanding of study at Higher Education level and the
issues which may affect students’ mental health
x
Experience of record-keeping for example, recording advice given
and maintaining written and electronic case files
x
Experience of working with students and/or young people and of
responding to crisis situations
Experience of working with students in Higher Education
Desirable
x
x
Knowledge of the mental health system and the services
available
x
Experience of advice work and managing a caseload
x
Skills/Abilities
Essential





Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including an
empathic and enabling approach to working with students in a
one-to-one setting.
x
Excellent administrative skills, including good computer literacy
and report writing skills.
x
Excellent time management and the ability to organise own work,
prioritise workload and use own initiative.
x
Presentation skills the ability to deliver information clearly and
concisely for various audiences.
A commitment to equal opportunities, confidentiality and
customer-focused services and an understanding of their
relevance to student support services
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Desirable
x
x
Other

Ability to meet the requirements of UK ‘right to work’ legislation*
Essential
x
Desirable
* The University has a responsibility under the Asylum, Immigration and Nationality Act 2006 to
ensure that all employees are eligible to work in the UK. Prior to commencing employment, the
successful candidate will be asked to provide documentary evidence to this effect, for example a
UK/EEA passport or identity card; a full UK birth certificate; a Home Office document or visa
evidencing the right to take this employment. Please note that the University will not be able to issue a
Tier 2 Certificate of Sponsorship for this post.
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