Mental Health Support Officer

Working within the Safeguarding Team, alongside the Counselling and Mental Health Team, to provide mental health educational needs assessments, as well as supporting these students. The potholder will be responsible for developing support and safety plans where relevant, liaising with external agencies to support individual mental health needs, and advocate on behalf of students to facilitate educational attainment. The postholder will play a key role in raising awareness around mental health issues and to offer practical advice and guidance to the College staff around inclusion.

You will be educated to at least Level 4 in a relevant subject or a recognised mental health qualification and have recent experience of working with students with mental health needs to support them to achieve and to stay safe. 

To contribute to achieving excellence in supporting students through innovative and excellent practice.     

Responsible to: Safeguarding, Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager

Please note this is a term time only role.

Key Responsibilities

• To contribute fully to the mission and values statement of the College ensuring its effective implementation in all aspects of College life
• To manage and maintain a caseload of students presenting range of mental health needs from mild-moderate to complex, severe and/or enduring
• To develop support and safety plans
• To undertake mental health educational needs assessments
• To advocate for reasonable adjustments to support the attainment of education 
• To adhere to the GDPR compliance requirements in relation to safeguarding of personal data
• To record, file and enter data in College systems 
• To advocate on behalf of students as and when appropriate
• To develop mechanisms whereby young people have a voice in order to evaluate the service and take an active role in decision making.
• To coordinate and attend multi-agency meetings as required. 
• To comply with the policies and practice requirements in terms of health and safety, safeguarding, equality and diversity etc. 
• To adhere to record keeping and recording systems. 
• To actively participate in the evaluation and quality assurance of the service.
• To share knowledge and skills through training as and when required.
• To work within a multi-agency framework to ensure the needs of students are addressed holistically.
• To actively promote participation in all aspects of service delivery.
• To develop and maintain sound working relationships with health, education and social care, to enable a joint working, joint thinking approach in relation to the needs of students
• To contribute to the College and service area strategic objectives and to actively engage in the annual review
• Evaluate and improve own communication skills to maximise effective communication and overcome barriers
• To review own professional development needs and to participate fully in future training and development

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Essential: 

• Educated to Level 4 e.g. Degree or equivalent 
• Experience of working with people with mental health issues 
• Excellent computer literacy – ability to use the current IT programs of the College 
•  Experience of assessing clients’ mental health needs
•  Experience of developing support plans and strategies
• Knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding requirements and legislation. 
• Engaged in Continuing Professional Development 
• Minimum of Level 2 literacy and numeracy or willingness to complete 
• High level of communication and interpersonal skills 
• Ability to set high standards for students, colleagues and for themselves 

Desirable:

• A recognised Mental Health qualification 
• Membership of a relevant professional body 

About The City of Liverpool College

The City of Liverpool College is the largest further education college in the Liverpool City Region. With more than 600 members of staff, hundreds of courses, five campuses and over 10,000 students, we are at the forefront of education in our region. 

We proudly scored GOOD in our 2024 OFSTED inspection, with several areas graded outstanding. Ofsted described our student experience as “transformative and life-enhancing”. 

We’re committed to supporting every student to achieve and progress with the skills and expertise they need for their next step. We couldn’t do this without the people who make this happen every day – our brilliant staff.