Student Wellbeing Advisor (12-month FTC)

Whitechapel Road, London E1 1EW, UK

Must have the right to work in the UK. LIS is unable to sponsor visas.

About LIS

The challenges facing the world today are not theoretical. They are urgent, messy, and interconnected. And yet, most universities still train students in narrow silos, disconnected from the real world.

LIS is doing things differently. We are the first university in over 50 years to be granted full degree-awarding powers from inception. Our mission is to prepare the next generation with the interdisciplinary tools, methods, and mindsets needed to tackle complex problems, and to thrive personally and professionally.

We’ve moved from experimentation to disciplined scaling. Our founding undergraduate cohort graduated in 2024 at the Royal Institution, with 85% already in skilled work or further study. Our Master’s is growing fast, our first MBA is underway, and we’re delivering leadership programmes to organisations like the UK Health Security Agency, TSB bank, and Mori in Japan.

All this powered by a talented team of 40+ combining experience from Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, MIT, the RSA, British Airways, McKinsey, LEGO and more.

LIS is building a niche, prestigious brand with global relevance. This is a rare chance to help shape a world-class institution from the ground up, challenging the most well-established players in higher education. Come join us!

The Role

LIS is committed to providing a supportive, compassionate, equitable, safe and innovative wellbeing support that enables every student to thrive. In support of this mission, we are recruiting a Student Wellbeing Advisor for a 12-month fixed-term contract to join our small but dynamic Student Wellbeing Service, working alongside the Accessibility Manager and Wellbeing Manager (to whom this role reports).

You will:

• deliver tailored 1:1 and group support to students
• hold a caseload of students with diverse and often complex needs
• provide structured early intervention for emerging difficulties
• support students with needs related to: neurodivergence, complex mental health challenges, trauma histories, some from minoritised communities, disabilities and health conditions, and intersectional life pressures (work, caregiving, finances, transitions).

This role is ideal for someone who is excited about joining a new innovative, creative university which is still growing and expanding and so you would be responsive to change and open to flexible thinking patterns. You will be: experienced, grounded, calm under pressure, and committed to empowering students with evidence-based, inclusive support.

Key Responsibilities:

Wellbeing Support & Casework

• Hold a varied caseload, providing professional, confidential 1:1 support.
• Conduct wellbeing assessments, risk assessments, and safety planning.
• Support students with diagnosed and undiagnosed mental health conditions, neurodivergence, disabilities, chronic health conditions, and different types of stress.
• Deliver early intervention strategies to prevent escalation and deliver group work:
  • Provide coaching style support to help neurodivergent students build executive functioning skills, personalised study strategies, and wellbeing tools.

Crisis Response & Safeguarding

• Respond empathetically to distressed students, managing de-escalation and immediate planning.
• Identify and escalate safeguarding concerns in line with LIS policy.
• Act as a point of contact for student disclosures and coordinate support with external services where appropriate.
• Work within a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally sensitive practice.

Collaboration & Student Experience

• Work closely with academic, operational, and student-facing colleagues to coordinate appropriate support.
• Contribute to the formation of and running group workshops, community-building activities, induction events, and proactive wellbeing initiatives.
• Support communication and reasonable adjustments between students, faculty, and support teams.

Administration & Service Development

• Maintain accurate and confidential case notes in line with GDPR.
• Support data gathering, analysis, and service evaluation.
• Contribute to wellbeing projects, continuous improvement, and service evolution throughout the academic year.

About You

Essential

• A counselling qualification level 4 or above, supervised post-qualification experience registered with the BACP or UKCP; a Clinical, Counselling Psychology Degree with post-qualification experience; Mental Health Nursing Degree, an Education Welfare Degree or substantial relevant professional experience.
• Significant experience of providing one-to-one student wellbeing support, counselling/mental health, disability support in Higher Education or advanced Further Education.
• Willingness to provide group support sessions.
• Strong experience supporting talented neurodivergent individuals (autism, ADHD, SpLDs, sensory/processing differences), including coaching and practical strategies.
• Experience conducting wellbeing assessments, risk evaluations, and crisis management with complex/high risk cases.
• Experience supporting students with disabilities and long-term health conditions.
• Knowledge of student accessibility barriers and inclusive learning practices, including alternative assessments.
• Understanding and good knowledge of different long-term complex mental health conditions and intersectionality.
• Dealing with issues with sensitivity and tact, understanding the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
• Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010, implementing reasonable adjustments and GDPR regulations.
• Experience advising and supporting students through higher education processes such as extenuating circumstances, learning plans and fitness to study.
• Experience in actively practicing safeguarding in previous roles.
• Warm, empathetic interpersonal style, with good active listening skills and clear professional boundaries.
• Ability to remain calm in high-pressure or emotionally complex situations and be open to adopting fresh approaches with the rapidly changing needs of students.
• Highly organised, with strong administrative skills and the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Experience coordinating support across services and teams and working collaboratively with students and staff.
• Strong awareness and commitment to EDI, anti-discrimination, and trauma-informed practice.
• Confident IT skills, including Microsoft Teams and Office.

Desirable

• Qualifications in coaching, complex mental health, neurodiversity or disability support or specialist coaching qualifications for neurodivergent communities.
• Experience supporting mature learners, working professionals, parents/carers, underrepresented communities, or those balancing work and study.
• Experience designing or delivering wellbeing workshops.
• Familiarity with tools such as Notion and student record systems.

Working Pattern & Environment

• Full-time (12-month fixed-term contract).
• Hybrid working: minimum 3 days per week on campus.
• Standard hours: 9am–5pm for at least three days; remaining 2 days may follow either, or a mixture of: 8am–4pm, 10am–6pm, or 11am–7pm.
• Occasional evening work for student events may be required.

Please note: LIS is not able to sponsor visa applications for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Our Commitment to Inclusion, Equity & Belonging

LIS is actively building a community where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. We are committed to tackling structural inequality and supporting students and staff from historically underrepresented and underserved groups. We particularly welcome applications from candidates who are:

• Black, Asian, or from other ethnic diverse communities
• LGBTQIA+ or gender non-conforming
• Neurodivergent thinking patterns
• We recognise the value of lived experience. The appointment will be made on merit.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

Safeguarding is vital, at LIS we are committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support and work with, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.  It is extended to all and is everyone’s responsibility at LIS.    

This role requires:

• An enhanced DBS disclosure
• Adherence to all safeguarding and conduct policies
• A commitment to ethical, respectful, trauma-informed practice towards all.

How to Apply

Please click on the ‘Apply’ button above and submit:

• Your CV
• A short supporting statement outlining:
• Why you want to work at LIS
• How your experience aligns with the above listed ‘essential’ and any ‘desirable’ points.
• Your approach to supporting neurodivergent students, students with disabilities and students in distress

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interviews may take place before the closing date.