JOB DESCRIPTION
Disability and Mental Health Adviser
Section Registry and Student Services Location: Ipswich (Waterfront) Campus. Salary: Within the range £30,395- £34,189 per annum Grade: 7 Contract status: Permanent Hours of work: Full time Pension: USS Annual Leave entitlement 30 days pa, plus Bank Holidays Responsible to: Head of Student Services
About the Department
The Department of Student Services takes a holistic approach to student experience and actively contributes to the academic, personal and professional development of our students.
As well as providing one-to-one impartial advice, education and guidance, we engage and collaborate with our students online, via workshops and events and across a number of cognate areas: • Student experience and pastoral support • International study exchange and work opportunities • Equality and diversity matters • Disability, wellbeing and counselling services • Learning difficulties diagnosis • Safeguarding • Career, employability and progression • Peer-to-peer support • Student finance and hardship funding
The Department is located at the Ipswich campus, with the exception of the Careers Team which also provides a peripatetic service to Partner Colleges in Suffolk and Norfolk.
Annually the Department connects with over 25% of our student population in one-to-one advice and guidance, support, extra-curricula workshops and events and fairs, and a programme of diverse initiatives and campaigns.
Purpose of the job:
To work with students with disabilities, in particular students with mental health conditions and autism to provide advice and guidance and identification of reasonable adjustments.
Contribute to the maintenance of DSA Quality Assurance Framework and staff DSA registration.
We are actively committed to growing and supporting our diverse workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities.
Manage a caseload of students in receipt of specialist mentoring.
Responsibilities may also include working with students with sensory and physical impairments, long-term health conditions and specific learning differences.
Co-supervise the work of a small team of Disability Advisers and Non-Medical Helpers to arrange and implement support for students, this may also include referring or signposting students to a range of internal /external services or suppliers.
Work with staff across the University to meet student needs and effectively implement reasonable adjustments.
Role Outline
1. Possess an excellent understanding of a range of disabilities including emerging and established mental health conditions, non-verbal learning difficulties and Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) 2. Carry out initial and on-going assessments of students including emergency referral. Determine the suitability of interventions and specific referral to other services that will enable students to manage their academic commitments 3. Identify and communicate appropriate solutions, strategies or support plans to the student and supporting staff 4. At times, co-ordinate a university response for students who are in crisis that would minimise the risk of harm to the student’s health and well-being and to other people 5. Develop contacts and referral mechanisms to appropriate statutory and community-based organisations. Act as a co-ordinator when students are referred to outside agencies and promote effective communication 6. Identify circumstances where it is necessary to breach confidentiality, ensuring duty of care responsibilities are met at all time 7. Develop an understanding of the types of courses and the delivery of teaching, learning and assessment e.g. Higher Apprenticeships and professional programmes 8. Allocate non-medical help and provide support and supervision for the team of non-medical helpers. At times contribute to the recruitment of staff in the team 9. Managing own case-load of student mentees in receipt of specialist mentoring 10. Maintain a thorough understanding of University services, and student policies and procedures. Keep to date with developments 11. Maintain accurate records and regularly update internal databases 12. Endeavour to proactively support students to meet the demands of student and university life by promoting wellbeing and resilience e.g. University Mental Health and Wellbeing Day or through the provision of workshops 13. Engage students in a variety of ways e.g. use of social media and/or through the design and delivery of educative components (face-to-face or online) 14. Day-to-day supervision of Disability Advisers, conduct appraisals, take steps to maintain own and team professional knowledge 15. Support University Partners by providing training and advice to ensure parity and quality of services 16. Take action as necessary to comply with the Institution’s health and safety policies and practices. 17. Annually, review services through service evaluation and contribute data and obtain feedback. 18. Promote access to Higher Education through Open Days 19. Promote equality and inclusive practice through collaboration with colleagues and the development and delivery of staff training 20. Take action as necessary to comply with the Institution’s health and safety policies and practices. 21. To undertake any other responsibilities determined from time to time by the Head of Student Services.
We are actively committed to growing and supporting our diverse workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities.
Selection Criteria
Candidates will be assessed against the following essential/desirable attributes:
Essential Desirable
Professional qualification to Degree undergraduate level Post-graduate disability-related EDUCATION AND Professional registration / qualification QUALIFICATIONS membership that meets the DSA Quality Assurance Framework (Read Evidence of specialist Membership of DSA mandatory criteria - see Band 4 National Associations of Disability Specialist Mentor, Mental Health) Practitioners or similar
Considerable experience of working Experience of working in a Higher with people with complex and a varied Education Institution in a similar role range of needs, including those with supporting students with disabilities and suicidal feelings, depression and mental health conditions severe anxiety. Experience of working with partners to Proven ability to assess risk of harm ensure quality and parity of services to self and others and to refer Knowledge of assistive learning appropriately in such circumstances. technologies and equipment Detailed knowledge of a range of KNOWLEDGE Experience of managing an innovative disabilities and the impact of these on AND and responsive service academic study EXPERIENCE Experience of analysing and interpreting Excellent understanding and reports experience of safeguarding legislation Experience of supervising the work of and referral procedures others Current knowledge and understanding of relevant disability legislation Experience of giving impartial, guidance and/or mentorship to individuals
Excellent communication and presentation skills. Able to establish Experience of having developed and credibility at all levels delivered staff training Effective networker both internally and Enhanced IT skills in using other digital with external services/ agencies platforms e.g.: Current knowledge of support o Able to edit websites using in agencies and NHS structures, house systems practices and referral systems in o Able to use a range of digital SKILLS Mental Health services platforms (e.g. blogs, social Evaluative and analytical skills and media and Online Learning able to apply these to review practice Environments) to engage staff and/or to interpret data and statistics and students Excellent essential IT knowledge and ability e.g. diary and appointment booking tools, Excel, case record system
Proactive in identifying initiatives and committed to embedding them into ATTITUDE the student experience Able to identify and set clear objectives and is confident in leading
We are actively committed to growing and supporting our diverse workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities.
Essential Desirable own work and others to develop service provision Able to multi-task, effectively manage time and a varied and demanding workload An understanding of and commitment to Equal Opportunity Policies, and the ability to promote this in the day to day work of the post.
Closing date: Wednesday 1st May 2019, 5pm
Interview date: Friday 10th May 2019
INFORMAL ENQUIRIES ABOUT THIS POST Chantalle Hawley, Head of Student Services Tel (01473) 338410
APPOINTMENT TERMS This post is offered on a permanent basis on Grade 7. The salary range for the post is £30,395- £34,189. The role is full time, for the purposes of calculation this is based on 37 hpw.
CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS This post will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
FLEXIBLE WORKING We consider flexible working requests for all our vacancies. e.g. adjustments to the working location, hours, time, or working on job share basis.
We are a Top 30 Employer for Working Families 2016 and 2017 but we recognise that flexible working is not just for parents and carers. Our inclusive Flexible Working policy is open to all our staff and designed to support our people achieve a positive work-life balance, regardless of their personal circumstances.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity The University of Suffolk is a diverse and vibrant community and is committed to providing equality of opportunity to all staff and students. Our approach is inclusive; valuing the contribution of every member of the institution and the communities we serve.
As users of the Disability Confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all applicants who declare a disability and who meet the minimum essential criteria for the vacancy.
NO SMOKING POLICY A no smoking policy including the use of electronic cigarettes operates at all University of Suffolk premises.
APPLICATIONS Please see below for specific instructions on how to apply. Please note that applicants who fail to return all the documents asked for may be discounted.
To apply for this post:
We are actively committed to growing and supporting our diverse workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities.
Please read the Privacy Information Notice for Job Applicants. All forms and further information can be found on our website http://www.uos.ac.uk/jobs Complete the Application Cover Sheet and include details of any flexible working request you are making Complete the monitoring form Attach a curriculum vitae and a letter of application setting out clearly how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for this post Return them as Word (.doc) attachments by e-mail to: [email protected] please put the post title in the subject box of your email. If you are unable to email your documents, you may post them to
The Human Resource Team University of Suffolk Waterfront Building Neptune Quay Ipswich Suffolk UK IP4 1QJ
If you are unable to apply via the website please ask for an application pack from the address above, or by phone on 01473 338351.
We are actively committed to growing and supporting our diverse workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities.