Impact Student Partners is a specialist Non-Medical Help (NMH) provider supporting students in Higher Education through Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). We work in partnership with universities and colleges across the UK to provide high-quality support for students with mental health conditions, neurodivergence, specific learning differences, long term health and other disabilities.
Our mission is simple: to empower students to overcome barriers, build confidence, develop independence, and achieve their academic potential.
We believe exceptional support starts with truly understanding the individual. By taking the time to get to know each student's unique circumstances, strengths, challenges, goals, and preferences, we are able to provide genuinely personalised, one-to-one support that reflects their specific needs. This tailored approach helps students build sustainable strategies, develop confidence, and achieve meaningful progress throughout their university journey.
About the Role:
Specialist Mentors support students in Higher Education whose studies are impacted by mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, OCD, and other diagnosed mental health conditions.
The purpose of the role is to provide highly specialist, one-to-one support that helps students identify and overcome barriers to learning. Through a person-centred and strengths-based approach, you will work collaboratively with students to develop practical strategies that improve their wellbeing, engagement, independence, and academic success. We are looking for Mental Health Mentors to provide on campus, face to face support at the University of Cumbria and remotely.
Every student is different, and no two support plans are the same. A key part of the role involves building a strong professional relationship with students, understanding their individual experiences, learning preferences, motivations, and challenges, and adapting your support accordingly. By providing tailored interventions and personalised strategies, you will empower students to navigate university life with greater confidence and autonomy.
This is not a counselling or therapeutic role. Instead, you will focus on supporting students to manage the impact of their mental health on their studies, while encouraging self-management, resilience, and independence. Where appropriate, you may also signpost students to relevant support services and wellbeing resources.
Pay and Benefits:
* £39.00 per hour (including £4.22 per hour holiday pay, rolled up rate, pension scheme,CPD, peer networking and mentoring opportunities and your own dedicated consultant.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
* Deliver Specialist Mentor (Mental Health) sessions in accordance with DSA guidance and Impact Student Partners' quality standards
* Develop tailored support strategies based on each student's needs assessment report, individual circumstances, challenges, and agreed outcomes
Support students with:
* Motivation and goal setting
* Time management, organisation, lanning and prioritising workloads
* Managing academic stress and anxiety
* Building confidence and self-advocacy
* Improving focus, concentration, and engagement
* Developing effective study habits and routines
* Navigating the social and academic challenges of university life
* Maintain accurate and timely records, including session reports and support documentation
* Identify and appropriately escalate safeguarding or wellbeing concerns in line with company procedures
Essential Requirements:
Candidates must hold a professional qualification within a mental health-related discipline and current membership with at least one of the following professional bodies at the level specified:
British Psychological Society (BPS) – Chartered Member (CPsychol), IAPT Register, or Graduate Member (MBPsS) with a postgraduate qualification in Mental Health
Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP) – Full Member
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) – Accredited Member
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) – Accredited Member or Registered Member
British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) – Member under a recognised member institution
COSCA – Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist
Federation of Drug and Alcohol Practitioners (FDAP) – National Counsellor Accreditation Certificate (NCAC)
General Medical Council (GMC) – Psychiatry, Full Registration or above
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) – Registered Arts Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Practitioner Psychologist, or Social Worker
Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) – Accredited Member
National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS/NCS) – Accredited Registrant
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) – Registered Mental Health Nurse, Community Mental Health Nurse, or Psychiatric Nurse
Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
Social Care Wales (SCW)
Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC)
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) – Full Clinical Individual Member
University Mental Health Advisers Network (UMHAN) – UMHAN Mentor Member
Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC) – Accredited Counsellor
Applicants must also:
* Be able to provide both online and face-to-face support
* Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills
* Be able to work independently while managing their own workload
* Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality at all times
* Be committed to inclusive practice and equal opportunities in education
Desirable Requirements:
* Experience supporting individuals with mental health conditions
* Experience working within Higher Education or with young adults
* Previous mentoring, coaching, counselling, or support work experience
* Knowledge of the barriers students with mental health conditions may experience within an academic environment
* Strong organisational and record-keeping skills
* Ability to deliver empathetic, non-judgemental, and student-centred support
* Experience delivering support online using virtual platforms
Join Impact Student Partners and help transform students' university experiences through meaningful, personalised support that creates lasting positive outcomes
Salary description
£39.00 - £39.00 per hour