Location
Hammersmith Campus, West London College

Hours
36 hours per week

Salary
£40,853 – £42,239 per annum (pro-rata), inclusive of London weighting

About the Role
We are seeking a dedicated and motivated Specialist Mental Health and Wellbeing Mentor to join our Safeguarding department. The Mental Health Liaison Officer will play a pivotal role in enhancing mental health and wellbeing provision within the Further Education (FE) context, supporting both students and staff through early intervention, targeted support, and preventative strategies. This post will strengthen the College’s whole-college approach to mental health, ensuring alignment with the Youth Trailblazer Scheme and national best practice.

The post holder will be an experienced mental health practitioner with a strong understanding of adolescent and young adult mental health, including the complex needs of diverse FE learners. You will provide one-to-one and group interventions, deliver staff training and CPD, support safeguarding processes, and act as a key link between external mental health services and the College.

You will work proactively across multi-disciplinary teams including curriculum staff, safeguarding, SEND, pastoral services and external partners such as CAMHS, NHS services, GPs, social care and voluntary sector organisations. You will act as a calm, professional and compassionate presence in supporting students experiencing emotional distress, mental health challenges or crisis situations.

This role requires strong leadership qualities, resilience, and the ability to influence and embed a culture of wellbeing and psychologically-informed practice across the College.

Key Responsibilities
Student Mental Health Support
- Manage a caseload of learners requiring targeted mental health intervention and support
- Deliver 1:1 and group wellbeing sessions using evidence-based approaches (e.g. CBT informed strategies, solution-focused interventions, trauma-informed practice)
- Undertake holistic mental health assessments and risk assessments, including suicide ideation, self-harm and safeguarding concerns
- Develop, implement and review individual wellbeing support plans in collaboration with students and relevant staff
- Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation support where required
- Support learners to develop coping strategies, resilience and positive mental health habits
- Facilitate transition support for vulnerable learners, including those with SEND or entering FE from school

Staff Support & CPD
- Deliver mental health awareness training and CPD for teaching and support staff
- Provide professional guidance and consultation to staff on managing student mental health concerns
- Support staff wellbeing through advice, signposting and workshops
- Contribute to the development of staff mental health toolkits and resources
- Promote psychologically safe environments in the classroom and across college spaces

Safeguarding & Multi-Agency Working
- Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and safeguarding team to support vulnerable learners
- Attend case conferences, TAC/TAF meetings and multi-agency planning meetings
- Liaise with CAMHS, NHS services, social services and community mental health teams
- Support referrals to external agencies and track outcomes
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding policies, mental health protocols and GDPR regulations

Strategic & Development Work
- Support the implementation of the College’s mental health and wellbeing strategy
- Contribute to the evaluation of the Youth Trailblazer programme and impact reporting
- Participate in quality assurance and service improvement initiatives
- Develop resources and campaigns to promote mental health awareness
- Support whole-college wellbeing events and initiatives

Leadership & Mentoring
- Provide advice and support to junior wellbeing staff and mentors
- Support student ambassadors and peer support programmes
- Contribute to supervision and reflective practice forums

Experience
- Proven experience as a mental health practitioner with expertise in adolescent and young adult mental health
- Experience delivering one-to-one and group mental health interventions
- Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and multi-agency working
- Experience working within an educational or FE setting is desirable

About You
- Strong leadership qualities with resilience and the ability to influence culture
- Compassionate, calm and professional approach to supporting students in distress or crisis
- Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and external partners
- Commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion

Qualifications
- Relevant professional qualification in mental health, counselling, psychology or related field
- Enhanced DBS clearance including Children’s Barred List check and other safeguarding checks as required
- Commitment to ongoing professional development and mandatory safeguarding training