Mental Health Caseworker

Mental Health Caseworker Fixed-Term Contract - 6 Months

Location:

Hybrid working, contracted to Milton Keynes, Manchester or Nottingham, travel as and when business requires.

Hours:

Full-time, Monday to Friday (37 hours per week)
Flexible working between 8:30am-5:00pmPay Rate: £20.10 per hour

Start Date:

1st week of September 2026 (or sooner where possible) The Open University is the UK's largest university, supporting thousands of students studying flexibly across the UK. As part of their Student Wellbeing Team, we are looking for two experienced Mental Health Caseworkers to provide specialist, one-to-one support to students experiencing enduring or complex mental health conditions.

The Mental Health Casework Team sits within the wider Student Wellbeing Team, alongside mental health training, safeguarding, welfare advice and the University's suicide-safer initiatives. The team provides specialist intervention and coordinated support to help students overcome barriers to learning, manage risk and remain engaged with their studies. The service supports students on a referral basis and works closely with Student Support Teams, Disability Support and external agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes.

About the Role You will provide specialist case management, assessment and intervention for students whose mental health is significantly affecting their ability to study. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across the University, NHS services and third-sector organisations to coordinate appropriate support while promoting student wellbeing and academic success.

You will manage a caseload of approximately 25 students, adjusted where higher-risk cases require additional support, ensuring every student receives appropriate, timely intervention.

Key responsibilities include:

Delivering specialist one-to-one interventionist support to students with enduring or complex mental health conditions. Completing comprehensive mental health assessments, identifying risk and protective factors and developing practical support plans. Undertaking risk assessments, safety planning and responding appropriately to students experiencing mental health crises or at risk of self-harm. Managing an independent caseload, ensuring accurate records, timely escalation and compliance with University policies.

Providing practical, solution-focused interventions and psychoeducation to help students manage their wellbeing alongside their studies. Coordinating support with Student Support Teams, Disability Support, academic colleagues, NHS services and external agencies. Supporting the development of effective referral pathways across the University. Advising colleagues on complex mental health matters and contributing to a suicide-safer culture. Delivering mental health awareness training and providing guidance to colleagues supporting students with mental health needs.

Maintaining accurate records using CRM systems, Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Excel. About You We are looking for a confident and compassionate mental health professional who combines strong clinical judgement with excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach. Essential A degree or recognised professional qualification in Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Psychology, Counselling or another relevant discipline. Evidence of continuing professional development, including training in a recognised intervention such as CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, coaching or mindfulness-based approaches.

Experience supporting adults with complex or enduring mental health conditions. Experience carrying out mental health assessments and implementing solution-focused interventions. Strong experience managing risk, safeguarding concerns and supporting individuals in crisis. Experience managing an independent caseload and prioritising competing demands. Experience working within multi-agency environments, including NHS, local authorities or third-sector organisations. Knowledge of mental health, equality, safeguarding and data protection legislation.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and…