Student Support Lead (Mental Health & Wellbeing

Help shape the support and wellbeing experience of trainees throughout their programme, and ensure our services, policies and processes deliver an outstanding student experience.

Apply By: 14 August 2026

Location:

Hybrid - within commuting distance of one of our campuses in Beckenham, Blackburn, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Doncaster or Redcar Salary: £44,075 per annum + benefits

At the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT), we believe teaching is a fundamental societal good, both a privilege and a responsibility. We are looking for an experienced and compassionate Student Support Lead (Mental Health and Wellbeing) to lead student support in the areas of mental health and wellbeing for our Initial Teacher Education programmes and on behalf of our partners for the High Performance Initial Teacher Training programme.

This is a pivotal new role at the National Institute of Teaching, shaping the support and wellbeing experience of trainees throughout their programme. You will lead on all aspects of mental health and wellbeing, ensuring trainees can access the help they need to thrive. You will also work with colleagues across the Student Support team to ensure a coherent support offer with the delivery of wider student support services including disability and inclusion.

Working closely with colleagues across NIoT and Teach First, you will be a key point of contact for student support services relating to mental health and wellbeing. You will provide expert advice, oversee casework, manage relationships with external support providers, and help ensure our services, policies and processes deliver an outstanding student experience.

This role would suit someone with significant experience in mental health, counselling or wellbeing services who combines sound judgement, empathy and professionalism with the ability to build strong partnerships and drive service improvement.

Closing date: 14 August 2026

Interview date: 27 August 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

• To ensure that the responsibilities of the role are carried out in a way which reflects the mission and the values of the national institute.
• To be aware of and observe all policies, procedures, working practices and regulations, and in particular to comply with policies relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, Confidentiality, Data Protection and Financial Regulations, reporting any concerns to an appropriate person.
• To comply with all reasonable management requests.

• Ensure the delivery and management of mental health and wellbeing services for the participants
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to Teach First andNIoTstaff on mental health, wellbeing and counselling services andensure compliance with policies relating to these areas.
• Ensure clear policies and procedures are in place and are being implemented, andmanage referrals to appropriate external bodies or support services as required.
• Lead and manage the activities of colleagues responsible for student support.
• OverseeNIoT’srelationships with external support providers in connection with the HPITT programme.
• Coordinate with programme delivery staff to ensure that support is in place for participants needs including triaging to other support services where required.
• Manage individual cases and support colleagues by providing specialist advice and guidance.
• Build andmaintaineffective relationships with keyNIoTand Teach First stakeholders, supporting and implementing any policy or process changes in partnership with delivery staff.
• Work closely withNIoTand Teach First stakeholders to understand, advise on and drive improvements in mental health and wellbeing services, reflecting the needs of the student population and ensuringNIoTmeetsappropriate professional, statutory and regulatory standards.
• Lead or support key projects within student services, working closely with members of the Professional Services teams.
• Ensure that records relating to student support aremaintainedin line with contract, compliance,quality and data protection requirements.
• Be…