Hours: 36 per week

Salary: £40,853 – £42,239 per annum (pro-rata)

Contract Type: Full-Time - Fixed Term (Until 31/03/2027)

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and motivated Specialist Mental Health and Wellbeing Mentor to join our Safeguarding department at Hammersmith campus.

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.

The ideal candidate will:

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.

Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adult

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education All employment offers are subject employment checks. These include (some of which are dependent on the role and the individual): Enhanced DBS including Children’s Barred List check, DfE teaching/management Barred List check, on-line searches, overseas criminal record check, evidence of identity and Right to Work in the UK, satisfactory references, confirmation of medical fitness, evidence of relevant qualifications and a check of previous employment history.

The College is committed to safeguarding and promotes the welfare of all learners and expects its staff to share this commitment. You will be required to become familiar with the College's policies, and comply with the requirements to safeguard and protect the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults. All staff are asked to complete mandatory training in relation to KCSIE and other key areas, and to read the relevant policies.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The College has a strong commitment to working towards the implementation of equality of opportunity in both service delivery and employment. The College’s mission and strategic objectives directly support this aim. All employees are required to actively support the development, dissemination and implementation of this aim and related policies and programmes.

Recruitment Process

The email account you use to apply will be used for all recruitment communication. Please ensure that you use an email account that you regularly monitor.

All application forms must be fully completed, including a full record of education and employment history. Incomplete applications will not be considered for shortlisting.

The salary for this position is inclusive of London weighting. Please note that we advertise our salaries on a range to indicate the trajectory of progression that can be made. Appointments are usually made at the start of the salary range.

We may close this vacancy early if we receive enough applications, so we encourage you to submit yours promptly. If you don’t hear from us within 2–3 weeks after the closing date, please know that, unfortunately, you have not been shortlisted this time. We truly appreciate your interest and hope you’ll consider applying for future opportunities with us.

**Please note that we do not accept CVs**