The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

At The University of Sheffield, we seek to create an organisational culture and working environment that is conducive to positive wellbeing and mental health and where everyone can thrive. The Staff Mental Health Adviser Service is the go to service for colleagues seeking guidance and support in relation to their mental health, this service sits alongside our Staff Disability Adviser Service within the Staff Wellbeing Team.

You will be an experienced, qualified mental health professional, who can provide specialist support to colleagues experiencing mental health challenges across the mental health continuum. Primarily, the role will be to provide a holistic assessment, interventions and support for staff mental health needs. You will utilise resources and expertise available from within both the University and specialist external organisations and support services.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide a first point of contact for all staff, managers and HR colleagues requiring support and advice in matters relating to mental health in the workplace. 
• Conduct robust initial assessment of individuals referring to the service determining the most appropriate intervention/s.
• Provide staff with a written action plan/care plan where necessary: this may include self-help material, reasonable adjustment recommendations, advice, signposting and referral to internal and external services.
• Use a range of techniques and interventions to support colleagues with mental health needs to self-manage and encourage behavioural and lifestyle change.
• Refer appropriately and liaise with a wide range of internal and external services ensuring that staff can access the most appropriate service to best fit their needs.
• Support Managers and HR colleagues as necessary where individuals have disclosed a mental health challenge  and require reasonable adjustments.
• Work closely with the Staff Disability Advice Service, Occupational Health Service and other colleagues within the Staff Wellbeing Team.
• Maintain accurate records in accordance with University Privacy Notices and GDPR.
• Collect and maintain data on service usage and key trends and themes. Translate the data to information that can demonstrate impact and drive strategic planning in Faculties and Schools.
• Deliver a service that considers diversity and inclusion, recognising the additional barriers that may exist for colleagues from minority groups and with protected characteristics in accessing support for their mental health and wellbeing.
• Provide advice and guidance to line managers and HR colleagues in the management of and support for staff with mental wellbeing challenges.
• Take opportunities to upskill staff, managers and HR colleagues in matters relating to mental health in the workplace.
• Demonstrable commitment to their own CPD and/or a strong track record of self-development
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• Professionally qualified mental health professional who is fully registered or accredited with a professional body (for example, social worker, occupational therapist registered with HCPC, mental health nurse registered with NMC, or psychotherapist accredited by BACP, UKCP or BABCP). Application.
• Substantial post-qualification experience of working in the field of mental health, including assessment and management of risk with appropriate onwards referral. Able to escalate and de-escalate risk accordingly. Application & Interview.
• An ability to build effective, consultative working relationships with others within the University and with external agencies. Including key stakeholders (e.g., line managers, HR colleagues) in order to achieve positive outcomes. Interview.
• An understanding of and empathy for the needs of staff with mental health challenges and an awareness of the potential sensitivities within the working environment. Interview.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to articulate complex information to staff with and without a clinical background. Application & Interview.
• Experience of interpreting, monitoring and translating data to useful information and reports to inform future decision making. Interview.
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving. Interview.
• Excellent organisational skills and caseload management, ensuring review and follow up and drive to see matters through to conclusion. Interview.

Desirable criteria

• Experience in delivering therapeutic group work and psychological education. Application & Interview.
• Experience of working within Higher Education or other large complex organisation. Application & Interview.

Further Information

Grade: 7

Duration: Fixed-term maternity cover (until Dec 2025)

Line manager: HR Manager, Staff Wellbeing Projects & Services

Direct reports: N/A

Our website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/hrjobs

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Louise Blee, HR Manager, Staff Wellbeing Projects & Services : on louise.blee@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 5228

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place during the week commencing 10 March 2025. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 3 March 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact louise.blee@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
 

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 21/02/2025 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.