University of Paisley Students Assocc

Caseworker

 SJC Grade 15 (pro rata) - £11, 233  25 hours per week, 11/12 months  21 Days annual leave + Public Holidays

UWS, Scotland’s largest modern university, aims to have a transformational influence on the economic, social and cultural development of the West of Scotland, and beyond, by providing relevant, high quality, inclusive higher education and innovative and useful research. UWS aims to make the communities it serves more successful; and to create opportunities for all to participate.

SAUWS is the democratic representative body for the students at UWS, with a vision which sees us as a “Student led representative body campaigning for the continual enrichment of the student experience”.

To attain this vision our mission is to work in partnership with the University of the West of Scotland to:

 Represent the needs and aspirations of the student body  Provide support, well-being and social services for students  Empower students to shape their own student experience  Build a strong cross campus community by providing a wide range of student activities  Effectively contribute to, and engage with, our local communities.

The purpose of this role is to provide expert, confidential and impartial advice on issues impacting on the student experience, in order to help students adapt to academic life and provide support which will help them remain within the education system until graduation, acting at all times within the policies and procedures of the Students’ Association.

This role will focus on supporting students:

 to access appropriate resources within the University and the wider community,  to challenge unfair situations and to help students navigate their options should they encounter any difficulties whilst studying,  by undertaking casework relating to academic appeals and mitigation.

The successful applicant will have experience of casework, advice work or advocacy and although experience of a higher education setting would be advantageous, those who meet the criteria of the person specification from other areas of work will be considered. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as well as the ability to demonstrate empathy for students, are essential. Excellent record keeping and reporting will provide evidence to inform policy work and support elected student representatives to present the trends and issues that our students are facing in order to influence, shape and change the University to improve the student experience for those studying at UWS.

SAUWS operates within a multi-campus environment, with locations in Paisley, Ayr, Hamilton and Dumfries.

To apply, you must have a commitment to working in an inclusive and co-operative environment which respects diversity and promotes equality.

When applying, please remember that you must fill in an application form. Simply submitting your CV alone is insufficient, although it is acceptable to include one for the purpose of filling in detail. It is essential to complete the section in the form about relating your experiences in work or education or any other relevant sphere to the person specification. The decision to invite applicants to interview will be based in a large part on this section; basically it is your opportunity to impress the selection panel members before meeting them. (Refer to the Guidance Notes enclosed.) Please also remember to answer the questions at the end of the form and to sign the form. If you do not do these, your application will not be considered. If you wish to have a confidential and informal discussion about any conditions or requirements of the post prior to submitting an application, please contact the Membership Development Manager using the details below.

Please note the following:

 This is for a part-time post which will operate for 11 months of the Year.

 Completed applications should be returned either:

 in writing to Membership Development Manager, SAUWS, The Students’ Union, Storie Street, PAISLEY, PA1 2HB, marking the envelope “CONFIDENTIAL - Caseworker”;  or by email to [email protected], with ‘Caseworker Application’ in the subject line.

Closing date for receipt of applications: Wednesday, 21st October 2015 . Interviews will take place during week commencing 26th October 2015, in Paisley.

Telephone: 0141 849 4151. Fax: 0141 849 4158.

SAUWS WELCOMES APPLICATIONS FROM ALL SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY.

Guidance Notes on Completing an Application

The decision to select you for interview will be based on the information you provide in your covering letter and application form. To decide who is to be selected for interview we need clear evidence of your skills and experience. It will not be enough for you to say that you have been doing a certain job for a certain length of time. You must explain clearly what skills and experience you have.

How will you know what we are looking for?

A job description is enclosed within your pack to show the main duties and responsibilities of the post.

The person specification describes the skills, experience and qualifications we are looking for, and this forms the yardstick against which you will be assessed.

You should read the job description, person specification and advertisement carefully and try to identify the key words and phrases.

Have you got what we are looking for?

From the information provided, work out if you have the skills, knowledge and experience we are seeking in the job you are now doing. If not, show how you have used them in the past. Do not forget that skills can be transferable. The tasks you perform may not be exactly the same as those in the job you are applying for, but the skills you use to carry out those tasks may be the same.

Remember that the skills and experiences you have gained outside paid work, for example, from domestic responsibilities, unpaid or voluntary work or organising social or community activities, can demonstrate skills you have taken for granted which are a clear sign of your ability to do a job. Job Description

Job Title: CASEWORKER Department: Membership Contract Type: Permanent (11 months per year) Reports to: Membership Development Manager

JOB PURPOSE:

To provide expert, confidential and impartial advice on issues impacting on the student experience, in order to help students adapt to academic life and provide support which will help them remain within the education system until graduation, acting at all times within the policies and procedures of the Students’ Association.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. General welfare enquiries

Be available to students to give information and support for any student welfare enquiry

 Broad knowledge of all University, SAUWS, and external support systems available to students is required  Contact with and knowledge of all University departments and schools to allow for the most effective signposting and to ensure students receive the best information 2. Financial enquiries & Hardship support

Be available to students to give information on additional support through SAUWS, UWS, external trusts, scholarships, state credit or benefits

 Knowledge of social security benefits & Universal Credit (specific to students) is required  Knowledge of Childcare information (University & state owned) is required  Work closely with the Funding & Advice team to ensure students are aware and can access trusts & scholarships  Working knowledge of Citizens Advice services to allow students to receive the most appropriate advice  Organise awareness raising campaigns to engage students in money advice and money management issues specific to them Manage SAUWS hardship fund, responsible for usage, function and sustainability

 Ensure the fund is operating within its means and policy caps  Work with University Finance office each month, cross checking data to establish the most correct and up to date information  Respond to hardship enquiries and meet as appropriate  Manage and enter data to the casework management system  Produce a monthly report on the usage and engagement of the hardship fund, which will be sent to all advisors and made available to other staff, officers and the Trustee Board as appropriate  Coordinate the monthly meeting of all advisors to discuss engagement and usage across the campuses. 3. Accommodation & housing enquiries

Be available to students to give information and support for any accommodation or housing queries they may have (University Residences, council housing, private sector)

 Maintain a working knowledge of all housing sectors affecting students . Have organised contact with local Citizens Advice housing info branches . Have organised contact with Shelter and other housing charities . Have working knowledge of Universal benefit system regarding housing benefits for students  Have a close a working relationship with the University Residences . Supporting any complaints or queries made from students staying in University residences . Regular contact with residences managers on each campus . Attending the monthly accommodation issues meeting with residences, students services and the finance office  Organise awareness raising campaigns to engage students in accommodation & housing issues specific to them 4. Health enquiries

Be available to give information and support to students on any mental health queries or enquiries they may have

 Have a fair knowledge of mental health issues specific to students (training required)  Have a knowledge of the support offered by mental health charities and organisations  Maintain a knowledge of mental health related campaigns and research, i.e. Think Positive activity  Have a strong knowledge of the University’s counselling and support systems in place  Organise awareness raising campaigns and activities to engage students in mental health issues specific to them Be available to give information and support to students on any sexual health queries or enquiries they may have

 Have a fair knowledge of the sexual health issues specific to students  Organise the distribution and the availability of free condoms, C-Cards and other sexual health to students  Be available to distribute free condoms, C-Cards and other sexual health materials  Have a knowledge of the support offered by organisations and charities providing sexual health support and advice  Organise awareness raising campaigns and activities to engage students in sexual health issues specific to them Be available to give information and support to students on any other general health enquiries, specifically information and support regarding personal health and lifestyle (drug, alcohol, smoking, diet and hygiene), as well as information on registering at local medical practices

 Knowledge and promotion of local doctors, dentist and medical practices for students to register  Knowledge and promotion of support offered by organisations and charities providing support and information on personal health & lifestyle 5. Personal issues / bullying & harassment

Be available to give information and support to students on any personal issues, bullying or harassment queries or enquiries they may have

 Have working relationship with the University support services for students  Have a sound knowledge of the University’s complaints procedures  Have a sound knowledge of and relationship with the local police authorities  Have a good understanding of and training in 3rd party reporting of hate crime 6. School Plagiarism Panels  Have an understanding of the relevant regulations related to Plagiarism  Be available to give advice to students attending Plagiarism Hearings  Attend Plagiarism Hearing as requested by the student  Provide support before and after hearings, including appealing outcome 7. Disciplinary Hearings  Have an understanding of the relevant regulations related to student discipline  Be available to give advice to students attending Disciplinary Hearings  Attend Disciplinary Hearings as requested by the student  Provide support before and after hearings, including appealing outcome 8. Fitness to Practice (School of Education, Health and Social Science only)  Have an understanding of the EHSS Fitness to Practice Policy  Have an understanding of the Nursing and Midwifery Council regulations for ‘good health and good character’  Be available to give advice to students attending Fitness to Practice Hearings  Attend Fitness to Practice Hearings as requested by the student  Provide support before and after hearings, including appealing outcome 9. Mitigating Circumstances  Have an understanding of the UWS mitigating circumstances policy  Provide advice and support to students in completing the mitigating circumstances form, including appropriate supporting evidence required  Provide further advice should mitigation not be upheld, including resit assessment advice, options for repeating the year and funding implications, also referral to support departments 10. Academic Appeals (Subject Panel and Progression and Awards Board or Withdrawal)  Have an understanding of the Academic Appeals policy for Subject Panel/Progression and Awards Board (SP/PAB), including related UWS regulations  Have an understanding of the Academic Appeals policy for Withdrawal, including related policies e.g. Student Engagement policy and procedure.  Provide advice and support to students in completing the Appeals form, including appropriate supporting evidence required  Attend appeals sub-group meetings as requested by students  Provide further advice should appeal not be upheld, including resit assessment advice, options for repeating the year and funding implications, also referral to support departments 11. Complaints Procedure  Have an understanding of the UWS complaints procedure for students  Provide assistance in compiling a complaint, including appropriate evidence  Provide further advice should complaint not be upheld, including contacting external organisations e.g. SPSO 12. Freedom of Information/subject Data request  Have an understanding of making an FOI and Subject Data Request  Provide advice on how to apply for information and appropriateness of applications for information 13. Resit/resubmission of assessments and repeat year rights and responsibilities (of students and Schools)  Have an understanding of the UWS academic year for resit/resubmission of work  Have an understanding of where students can get resit/resubmission information for their Programme, e.g. UWS Website, Programme Handbook, Personal Tutor  Have an understanding of the NMC regulations for resitting assessments, including time bound requirements  Provide further advice should resit/resubmission options not be available 14. General Advice (academic or welfare)  Have an understanding of the different support departments of SAUWS and UWS, including welfare advice, Effective learning, Student Services, Careers service, Library  Refer students to the appropriate department(s) as required  Refer students to Schools or personal tutors  Build relationships with Schools and support departments to better enable referral and up to date advice Person Specification

Advice Worker / Caseworker

Qualifications and Experience Essential Desirable

Good general education √ Qualified to degree level or similar √ Recent experience of providing advice in a student-facing or comparable √ environment Relevant training such as housing advice, CAB training, listening service, √ advocacy or other advice training Experience of delivering successful campaigns √ Experience of Higher Education and funding issues √ Experience of supporting /advising elected representatives √ Experience of working within a Students’ Union / similar membership-led √ organisation

Skills, Knowledge and Ability Essential Desirable

Thorough knowledge and understanding of best practice in delivering advice √ services in a confidential setting Good understanding of current issues and themes in Higher Education and √ Students’ Unions Excellent interpersonal skills including an ability to listen and communicate √ effectively with a range of people, maintaining a sensitive and non- judgemental approach Excellent communication skills, written and verbal √ Ability to act as an advocate √ Ability to understand and interpret policies and regulations as they apply to √ different / individual circumstances Good attention to detail and methodical approach to administration and √ related activities Good IT skills including Microsoft Office, email and internet √ Ability to show empathy and appreciate confidentiality √ Ability to prepare clear, concise written reports and guidance material √ Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team √ Able to be flexible and adaptable √ Ability to empower and motivate others √ Excellent customer service skills √ Knowledge of research and evaluation methods √ Commitment to equality of opportunity & diversity √ Commitment to a democratic environment √