Deputy Head of Wellbeing & Inclusion

Job Purpose

The Deputy Head of Wellbeing & Inclusion will be responsible for supporting the Head of Wellbeing & Inclusion with the leadership and management of the University’s Wellbeing services (comprising Counselling & Wellbeing Services, Safeguarding, Disability Service & Chaplaincy) as well as overseeing the delivery of wider mental health and wellbeing initiatives, intended to improve the personal wellbeing and effectiveness of all students.

The role holder will deputise for and assist the Head of Wellbeing & Inclusion with the planning, development, leadership and delivery of student focused, innovative, high quality, efficient, professional services ensuring that the services follow best professional practice, are compliant with legislative and other regulations and promote integration and collaboration between teams and the wider University.

The post holder will support the ongoing development of a holistic approach to student wellbeing and inclusion by building strong and effective partnerships with colleagues (both professional and academic), the student bodies (including the Students’ Representative Council, Queen Margaret Union, Glasgow University Union and Glasgow University Sports Association), external organisations such as the NHS and Police Scotland, and other internal and external partners, being accountable and responsible for the delivery of projects, reporting to University committees and representing the University at external meetings. The post holder will support specific service initiatives, particularly those which ensure inclusion, consistency of practice and continuous quality improvement across the services.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.      Working with the Head of Service to provide operational leadership and direction to the teams within Wellbeing & Inclusion.  Directly leading, motivating, managing and developing staff to ensure effective service delivery. Supporting and monitoring the implementation of a revised service delivery model.

2.       Work closely with the Head of Wellbeing & Inclusion on the ongoing development of Student Support services and appropriate organisational structures, ensuring effective service delivery in line with best practice and changing student needs.

3.       Oversee the delivery of revised administrative processes to develop evaluation tools ensuring the effective use of technology, generating MI which enables effective monitoring of service quality and effective oversight.

4.       Work with the Head of Wellbeing & Inclusion to determine service priorities when faced with competing demands or resource constraints, basing decisions on an understanding of service data, University priorities, compliance requirements, risks etc and work with Service Leads to deliver activities in creative and innovative ways.

5.       Maintain an awareness of external issues and developments that may impact on student wellbeing and mental health; bring these issues to the attention of the University and collaborate with colleagues to develop appropriate responses.

6.     Oversee the review of the Safeguarding policy for the University and the implementation of the Cause for Concern procedures, working closely with the Head of Service and other stakeholders (Director of Student Support & Wellbeing, Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Head of Student Conduct & Head of Student Engagement). Ensure the provision of advice, support and guidance on issues related to student vulnerability and work with external agencies where appropriate.

7.      To support the planning, organising, delivering and embedding of a range of wellbeing activities that help all students to achieve their potential, working in partnership with colleagues across the Student & Academic Services Directorate, the Students’ Unions, Faculties and other stakeholders. This will include increasing participation in initiatives that promote positive wellbeing, resilience and self-help.

8.       Coordinate actions to successfully resolve complex student issues and crisis referrals, by working collaboratively with colleagues and external agencies.

9.       Scope, lead and deliver projects related to Student Support and Wellbeing, as agreed with the Head of Service, ensuring that these projects align with the strategic aims of the function, are aligned with University objectives and effectively support students to achieve their potential.

10.    To lead and support a range of colleagues in a variety of disciplines in Student Wellbeing services to ensure consistency of practice, effective staff management and development, and the effective use of appropriate KPIs and management data to drive service development. Lead committees and task and finish groups within the service. To work with colleagues to ensure that student pathways through different support routes are clear and transparent to students and academic staff.

11.      Work with the Head of Wellbeing & Inclusion and key stakeholders to instigate a review of the University’s fitness to study procedure, ensuring a student-centred approach, consistency of support and clear communication.

12.    Deputise for the Head of Wellbeing & Inclusion as appropriate.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Ability to demonstrate the necessary strategic competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and leadership experience in a similar or number of different specialist roles. Or Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework Level 9, 10 or 11 (ordinary/Honours degree/ postgraduate qualification) or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in a relevant discipline, with a broad range of leadership experience in specialist fields related to mental health, wellbeing, inclusion, equality or diversity.

A2 Knowledge and understanding of the relevant organisational policy frameworks, including HR, health and safety, equality and diversity and regulations such as the PVG Scheme

A3 Evidence of applying leadership and management knowledge to complex business challenges in a similar, or number of different specialist roles

A4 Knowledge of managing risk in an institutional context, ensuring confident decision making in line with protocols and reputational considerations.

A5 Knowledge of approaches to student safeguarding, accessibility & inclusion and supporting mental health & wellbeing.

A6 Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of operational delivery of student services in a higher education context.

Desirable

B1 Detailed knowledge of equalities legislation, as it relates to Scotland and a Higher Education setting.

B2 Knowledge of interfaith chaplaincy provision within education

B3 Awareness of procedural provision in relation to study, including fitness to study

B4 A professional qualification in a field allied to mental health.

B5 Demonstrable understanding and familiarity with support for disabled students

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent leadership and management skills

C2 High level influencing and interpersonal skills, able to influence across a wide stakeholder group

C3 Ability to think strategically, challenging the status quo through well-presented arguments based on sound professional judgement which support the adoption of new ways of working

C4 Strong process and change management skills

C5 Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to motivate teams and individuals, including the ability to build and sustain working relationships across the organisation

C6 A self-motivated individual with the ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight timescales whilst prioritising competing demands

C7 Ability to develop cross-functional activity and relationships to improve and enhance service delivery

C8 Strong IT skills

C9 Effective conflict resolution and negotiation skills

Desirable

D1 Strong research and data analysis skills

D2 The ability to prepare reports and presentations for a variety of audiences

D3 Project Management skills

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience of leading and managing staff and teams in a professional setting

E2 Experience of delivering a customer-focussed service to diverse and challenging users

E3 Demonstrable experience of strategic planning and decision-making, successfully implementing change and developing improvement initiatives

E4 Experience of working with and influencing senior management, and wide stakeholder groups with competing priorities

E5 Experience of operational and strategic leadership with a demonstrable impact on policy and practice

E6 Track record of developing effective working relationships with external organisations involved in health and wellbeing

E7 Able to demonstrate applied leadership and management knowledge to complex business challenges

E8 Extensive experience of monitoring and evaluating service provision and using this to improve or change delivery

Desirable:

F1 Experience of working within a mental health, counselling or social care setting

F2 Managed services which include multifaith provision

F3 Experience of working in a similar role within HE or FE

F4 Evidence of having developed and delivered training to diverse groups

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £48,350 - £56,021 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and fixed term until 31-Mar-2025. 

Please Note: If you are a current employee of the University of Glasgow, please be advised that the University would consider an internal secondment opportunity for this post. University of Glasgow applicants should seek clearance for release for internal secondment from their line manager before making a formal application.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.