Job Purpose

This role supports the University in responding to and supporting student wellbeing by ensuring access to appropriate resources and services that allow students to achieve their academic goals. The role of the Counselling & Wellbeing Team is to assist students to develop skills to manage and maintain their mental health and wellbeing during their programme of study.

The post holder will provide ‘One at a Time (OAAT)’ appointments and short blocks of therapy to students presenting with a wide range of wellbeing related challenges.  The Counsellor will be required to use their therapeutic skills to support students with diverse needs, providing support within the Counselling Service remit and/or referring to other forms of assistance as required.

The Counsellor will ensure appropriate intervention for those at risk e.g. presenting with suicidal ideation and plans and be confident in safety planning, escalating as appropriate in line with the Counselling Service risk protocol.

The Counsellor is expected to work closely with colleagues in the Student & Academic Services Directorate and across the University to deliver a range of support. This will include referring students for disability support, academic support, financial aid etc. as required as well as making suitable recommendations for appropriate therapeutic or supportive interventions.

Due to the nature of the role, the majority of annual leave will need to be taken ***outside ***of term-time.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. To assess and respond to student mental health issues, manage risk and make clinical recommendations within the remit of the Counselling service. Where necessary identify and proactively seek guidance and review of more complex cases in consultation with Service leadership.

2. To provide effective OAAT and short-term ongoing counselling sessions to students referred to the service, whilst working independently within the University/Service guidelines and procedures.

3. To respond effectively and speedily to students who present in mental health crisis, including evaluation of the level of psychological distress and risk (e.g. risk of suicide), drawing in appropriate interventions from other agencies as required and ensuring escalation to Line Manager/Head of Service in line with service protocols.

4. To ensure effective follow up and proactive case management, including liaison with GPs services and other internal and external services as required.

5. To identify and liaise with the Leads and Head of Service regarding any potential crisis situation or issue which may be to the detriment of student welfare and safety.

6. To attend clinical supervision in line with service Supervision policy, attend scheduled line management one to one meetings, and team meetings in order to ensure competence, fitness to practice, and comply with professional standards.

7. To maintain appropriate electronic and written records including session notes, records of attendance and contact with other relevant parties. Progress cases as appropriate through CORE NET electronic case file management system.

8. To pursue continuous professional development and maintain professional accreditations and memberships, in order to maintain knowledge base, self-awareness, and enhanced skills.

9. To participate in service development and delivery in consultation with the Service Leads and Head of Service.

10. To collaborate with the wider multi-disciplinary team and associated colleagues as required, to provide effective wellbeing support and clear referral pathways.

11. To work in partnership with colleagues to develop workshops, groups and activities which promote positive mental health and wellbeing.

12. To maintain professional accreditation with an appropriate professional body e.g. UKCP / HCPC / BPS/ BACP/BABCP or equivalent.

13. To undertake any other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the grade of the post, recognising that these would not change the character of the post or level of responsibility.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Scottish Credit & Qualification Framework Level 8 (HND, SVQ4) or equivalent and accredited qualification in Counselling/CBT.

A2 Hold at least membership of an appropriate recognised professional body e.g. UKCP/HCPC/BPS/BACP/BABCP or equivalent.

A3 Thorough knowledge and understanding of the ethical frameworks for professional practice and ability to work within the BACP Ethical Framework and follow the BACP UC guidelines of good practice.

A4 Knowledge and experience of the University/Higher Education counselling sector and the mental health issues impacting university students.

A5 Understanding of the emotional and developmental aspects of student learning and stages of personal development and transitions.

A6 A working knowledge of the legal framework in which counselling and psychological therapy sits e.g. Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act and Equality Act.

Desirable:

B1 Be Accredited or working towards full Accreditation with BACP/BABCP/UKCP or equivalent B2 Practical knowledge and understanding of online and telephone counselling.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Proven clinical assessment skills and ability to use initiative and pro-actively seek guidance and consultation on complex cases, ensuring safe and effective management of risk.

C2 Effective liaison, negotiation and referral skills utilising self -awareness and reflection.

C3 Ability to communicate effectively, professionally and sensitively with both students and university staff.

C4 Ability to work confidentially and cooperatively in teams and with a range of colleagues across the university.

C5 Ability to work calmly under pressure using emotional resilience and stamina.

C6 Ability to work effectively with students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.

C7 Ability to prioritise own workload and work under own initiative.

C8 Ability to spot opportunities for service development and translate these into practice where appropriate.

Desirable:

D1 Ability to use CORE NET.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar or number of different roles.

E2 Practical experience of clinical assessment.

E3 Experience of risk management in relation to mental health.

E4 Experience of working within a busy, pressurised environment.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of working within a short-term/brief therapy model.

F2 Experience working within a University/Higher Education based counselling service or equivalent.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum pro rata.

This post is part-time (28 hours per week), and open ended.

Closing date: 23:45 6th October 2025

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.