Specialist Mentor Mental Health

Sidcup | Hybrid Working | £40 per Hour

Phoenix Dyslexia Consulting (PDC) is seeking a qualified Specialist Mentor (SM-MH) to provide DSA-funded one-to-one support to students experiencing mental health difficulties through a mixture of online and face-to-face sessions.

• Deliver one-to-one Specialist Mentoring.
• Support students to manage the impact of mental health conditions on their studies.
• Develop practical coping strategies and study routines.
• Promote resilience, confidence and independence.
• Support students to engage effectively with their course and university services.
• Maintain records and reports in line with DSA requirements.

Applicants should meet the requirements for delivering DSA-funded Specialist Mentoring (Mental Health) and be able to demonstrate:

• A degree, professional qualification or postgraduate qualification in mental health, counselling, psychology, social work, occupational therapy, nursing or a related discipline.
• Qualifications and experience accepted by DSA-funded support providers for Specialist Mentor (Mental Health) services.
• Experience supporting adults with mental health conditions.
• Understanding of recovery-focused, strengths-based and person-centred approaches.
• Membership of, or eligibility for membership of, a relevant professional body where applicable.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience supporting students within Higher Education, or a strong understanding of the HE environment.
• Understanding of common mental health conditions and their impact on learning.
• Ability to establish professional mentoring relationships while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and professional reports.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, risk awareness, professional boundaries and vulnerable adult welfare.
• Good knowledge of GDPR, confidentiality and secure data handling.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.
• Enhanced DBS certificate, or willingness to obtain one.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Competent IT skills and ability to work independently.
• Commitment to ongoing CPD.

• Experience working within Higher Education, NHS, social care or community mental health settings.
• Understanding of neurodiversity and co-occurring conditions.
• Mental Health First Aid or similar training.
• Additional qualifications in counselling, coaching, wellbeing or disability support.

• £40 per hour
• Flexible hybrid working.
• Regular referrals and ongoing opportunities.
• Dedicated administrative support.
• Supportive, practitioner-led organisation.
• Inclusive, positive employer committed to disability equality.

Unlike larger providers, we carefully match students and support workers based on individual needs, communication styles, academic disciplines, experience and preferences.

We welcome both self-employed and employed practitioners. Professional insurance support may be available for suitable workers, and PAYE opportunities may also be available
, subject to individual circumstances and business needs.

PDC is proud to be a positive employer and actively encourages applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and those with lived experience of disability.