Therapist at Newcastle University

Therapist (Male Sexual Violence)

The Role

To provide time-focused specialist counselling to male-identifying students who have experienced sexual violence, offering up to 12 sessions per student as clinically appropriate. This will include comprehensive assessments, therapeutic support and occasional crisis management.

The workload model will be split between specialist sexual violence counselling and some general Student Health and Wellbeing central counselling, depending on student need. 

To work collaboratively with colleagues in the Student Health & Wellbeing Service to strengthen and further develop specialist provision for students affected by sexual violence, in line with agreed referral criteria and trauma-informed best practice. This service enables students to engage in and access their studies and encourages academic progress and student retention.

To advise and support the wider HEI in relation to meeting the needs of students affected by sexual violence, acting as a source of knowledge and expertise on trauma-informed approaches. This includes contributing to prevention initiatives, staff training, and wider strategic work on culture change and safeguarding.

This work is specialist provision to work with male-identifying students. The service commissions Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland (RCTN) to provide the equivalent service to female-identifying students. 

The counselling service at Newcastle University is person-centred in ethos, placing students at the heart, and we recruit a range of therapy modalities to meet the diverse needs of our student population.

This role will provide specialist, trauma-informed counselling to male-identifying students who have experienced sexual violence, of up to 12 sessions. The postholder will be expected to be flexible, proactive, and confident in delivering therapeutic interventions that acknowledge the relationship between academic study, recovery, and wellbeing.

The postholder will also contribute specialist knowledge to colleagues, provide consultation on complex cases, and work closely with internal and external agencies to ensure joined-up support for students.

You will work closely with colleagues and student representations across the university, sharing responsibility for promoting student welfare, responding to policy and guidance, and ensuring a safe and supportive environment in respect of sexual violence and harrassment. A strong team ethos and commitment to working together are essential.

The role is 0.6 FTE / 3 days per week, year round.

Key Accountabilities

To manage a varied and complex caseload of students with a range of emotional and psychological difficulties, including the need to:

• offer one to one therapeutic intervention using trauma informed approaches
• provide a comprehensive assessment of students’ wellbeing needs including referring to external agencies as appropriate
• be available for staff, students and third party stakeholders who require guidance on a range of mental health issues
• manage risk appropriately within the boundaries of the role, initiating safeguarding processes where necessary
• maintain electronic student records
• act as a link between the student and statutory and non-statutory agencies
• work with a multi-disciplinary team approach within the Student Wellbeing Service; and
• To signpost and refer to external specialist agencies (e.g., ISVAs, SARCs, NHS mental health services) where appropriate
• To understand the remit of university support and liaise with academic staff in relation to students’ study needs and how students’ difficulties may impact on academic progress
• To provide training and workshops to groups of students and staff to facilitate a better understanding of emotional and psychological difficulties, and on topics related to sexual violence, risk factors and trauma-informed responses
• Contribute to project work, strategic initiatives, and working groups related to survivor support and culture change, such as the Mental Health Charter, Changing the Culture, and bimonthly sexual violence meetings
• Keep up to date with changes in legislation, government policy, and sector guidance on sexual violence and higher education governance (including Office for Students expectations)
• To build on existing links with external mental health services, local GP surgeries and other NHS services
• To work collaboratively with other sexual violence specialist colleagues and all SHWS colleagues and take a proactive approach to change
• Work flexibly to meet service needs, including evening sessions during term time, and adapt delivery to meet student needs (including remote sessions where appropriate)
• To attend individual supervision, group case management and team meetings
• To work occasional unsociable hours to meet the needs of the Service

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Significant experience of working therapeutically with adults who have experienced sexual violence, with the capacity to address highly sensitive and complex trauma presentations
• Experience of working as a therapist with adults from a diverse background, with mental or physical health disabilities, preferably in an education setting
• Experience of supporting male-identifying survivors, with an understanding of gender-specific needs, barriers to disclosure, and intersectional factors influencing engagement
• Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams and liaising with both internal colleagues and external agencies (e.g., ISVAs, SARCs, NHS services)
• Ability to assess risk and manage crisis situations, including safeguarding and escalation
• Understanding of the impact of sexual violence on academic engagement and the role of higher education support services in student recovery
• Ability to deliver training and awareness sessions on sexual violence and trauma-informed practice
• Competent IT skills: Word, Excel, email, internet, and case record systems