Freelance Specialist Mentor

YorLinc provide a range of support to students in receipt of DSA (Disabled Students' Allowance) throughout the UK. We have provided accredited assessments and personalised training to students with specific learning difficulties, mental health problems, sensory impairments and physical disabilities for over 20 years. Due to the expansion of our services, we are looking for dedicated and experienced Specialist Mentors.

Specialist Mentors support students in higher education to address barriers to learning created by various mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Barriers to education can include concentration and motivation issues, managing academic workloads, peer relationships etc. The role of the Specialist Mentor is to provide highly specialist, one-to-one tailored support to assist students to develop both psychological and practical strategies to manage and overcome disability-related difficulties they experience whilst studying.

The role of a Specialist Mentor is not to provide counselling services, but to deliver a person-centred approach to overcome study-related difficulties. At times however, signposting and encouragement to discuss personal mental health issues with relevant professionals may be required.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• To deliver Specialist Mentor sessions in accordance with YorLinc guidelines.
• Plan and implement specialised, tailored support based on students' individual disability-related issues.
• Record management and completion of documentation relevant to Specialist Mentor sessions e.g., time sheets, individual support plans etc.
• Represent YorLinc in a professional manner and comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Regular supervision and CPD.

Essential Requirements:

Candidates should have a professional qualification in the field of psychology/mental health and membership of (at least) one of the following organisations at the level(s) indicated:

• British Psychological Society (BPS) - Chartered Member (CPsychol)/IAPT register/ Graduate Member (MBPsS) AND a PG qualification in Psychology or Mental Health.
• Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP) - Full member.
• The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) - Accredited membership.
• The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
• British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) - Under a member institution
• Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA) – Accredited (Other UK Professional body) Counsellor/Psychotherapist Member of COSCA. This category of membership requires you to be currently accredited with another recognised UK professional body for counselling and psychotherapy.
• Federation of Drug and Alcohol Practitioners (FDAP) – National Counsellor Accreditation Certificate (NCAC)
• General Medical Council (GMC) - Psychiatry – Full member or above.
• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) - Education and training programmes approved as a route to registration - Arts Therapist/ Occupational Therapist/ Practitioner Psychologist/ Social Worker in England
• Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) – Accredited member
• National Counselling Society (NCS)
• Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) - Mental Health Nurse/ Community Mental Health Nurse / 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
• The University Mental Health Advisers Network (UMHAN) – UMHAN mentor member. (N.B. UMHAN accreditation routes are now closed).
• Association of Christian Counsellors (UK) - Accredited Counsellor

Desirable requirements:

• Experience of mentoring or working with individuals with mental health difficulties.
• Experience of working with students in higher education.
• The ability to provide empathetic, non-judgemental support.
• Good communication skills.
• A commitment to promoting equal opportunities in education.

What we can offer you:

• Flexible working hours
• Competitive rates of pay

Additional Information: Working hours will vary dependent on the needs of the students, and the number of the students you will be allocated to support in the role. A mixture of remote and in-person support will be required based on the preference of students. All applicants must be eligible to work in the UK, have internet access and a full driving license. A valid and clean DBS check is also required.

If the opportunity to support students in higher education with disabilities and additional needs interests you, then please submit a cover letter with your CV detailing why you feel you would be the ideal candidate for the job role described.

Job Type: Freelance

Pay: £32.00 per hour

Application question(s):

• Do you currently hold, or are you willing to arrange, Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance?
• Please confirm the professional body you have membership with and the level of your membership.

Experience:

• DSA funded Specialist Mentoring: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• professional membership? (required)

Work Location: In person