Wellbeing and Disability Advisor

ROLE PURPOSE:

As a Student Wellbeing and Disability advisor, your primary responsibility is to provide comprehensive support to students managing the impact of disabilities, additional needs, and mental health. This role involves offering expert advice, guidance, and signposting services to promote student wellbeing and inclusivity within the university community. Overall, this role plays a vital role in fostering an inclusive and supportive campus environment where all students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. You will closely with the Wellbeing and Disability Coordinator, developing and delivering a comprehensive range of student support.

 

 

ROLES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Overall Responsibilities

 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Wellbeing Advice, Guidance, and Signposting:

o   Provide one-on-one support sessions to students seeking guidance on various wellbeing concerns, including stress management, mental health, and personal development.

o   Under supervision of the WADC, carry a small caseload of students requiring ongoing help with their wellbeing and mental health.

o   Provide a range of self-help resources and wellbeing toolkits for students to access. To create a range of information and guidance materials and workshops for students and staff that will be delivered in a variety of ways: on the phone, in person and online.

o   Offer information and signposting services to connect students with relevant resources, support groups, and external agencies.

o   to be the main point of contact for general welfare enquiries from students and support the welfare and safeguarding at our campus’s and online.

o   To work with colleagues across the Institute to ensure students are fully supported, with any barriers to learning dealt with promptly and effectively.

 

• Disability Advice and Support:

o   Engage students disclosing disabilities, assessing needs and making recommendations for 'reasonable adjustments' to overcome barriers in the learning environment, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010

o    Deal with all new and continuous student disability cases in a timely manner (within 5 working days) and resolve queries appropriately within 24 hours (where possible).

o    To provide one-to-one advice and information to disabled students, including (but not limited to) students with specific learning differences, sensory impairments, Autistic Spectrum Conditions, long-term health conditions, physical impairments, and mental health difficulties.

o    To write detailed student Individual Support Plans (ISPs) and to communicate these with Academic dpts (and other relevant stakeholders) to ensure that reasonable adjustments are implemented effectively.

o   To identify circumstances where it is necessary to breach the Service's Code of Confidentiality, ensuring that duty of care responsibilities is always met and to inform senior staff of any such circumstances.

o    To undertake individual case work with students to facilitate their applications for funding support, e.g. Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). This will involve liaising with external bodies such as Student Finance England, SFW, SAAS or SFNI.

o   To accurately interpret, and keep up to date with, all relevant legislation and regulations related to disability and mental health matters affecting students and to ensure that accurate and appropriate advice is always offered.

o   To contribute and deliver disability awareness training to  staff.

o   Participate in Recruitment and open day events as required.

o   Any other duties as deemed reasonable within the skills required of the role

 

Essential requirements

• Graduate level qualifications or equivalent
• Accreditation or membership with professional organizations in student support, disability advocacy or related field/body.
•  Evidence of training and continuous professional development in a range of disability matters
• Working knowledge of current disability legislation (Equality Act 2010, Mental Health Act 2007 and Mental Capacity Act 2005), policy and procedures, particularly within an educational institution
• An understanding of the issues affecting disabled students
• Flexibility to work across weekends as this is the busiest time of the week for the organisation is essential.
•  Working knowledge of a range of disabilities including specific learning differences, mental health conditions, Autistic Spectrum Conditions and sensory impairments and the effects of these on access to learning
• Knowledge of specialist organisations and referral agencies for individuals with disabilities
• Up to date knowledge of relevant Mental Health legislation, and local statutory service provision available to support and refer students to.
• Knowledge and awareness of the various models of disability • Working knowledge of higher education funding streams for disabled students • Working knowledge of the principles of universal design in relation to physical access.
• Experience of delivering workshops/talks
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience of working with and advising students with disabilities, particularly specific learning differences on support matters
•  Experience, working in the education sector, in an advisory post.
• Significant experience of working in a team of staff in a changing environment and frequently under pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills.
• Ability to empathise, remain calm and act professionally when student present in distress or crisis and maintain confidentiality
• Excellent problem-solving ability and analytical skills.
• Commitment to providing an excellent and proactive customer focused service.
•  Knowledge of GDPR and the Data Protection Act

 

Desirable:

 

• Master's degree in counselling, disability studies, or a related discipline.
• Possession of a relevant professional qualification, in a mental health/disability related discipline, or extensive experience
• OCR SpLD Diploma or equivalent
• Professional/vocational qualification in Mental health
• Membership of a Professional Body such as National Association of Disability Practitioners (NADP)
• Delivery of training / awareness-raising in mental health
• Knowledge and experience of a range of Assistive Technology
•  Knowledge and awareness of inclusive teaching and learning practice.
• Working knowledge of the range of study skills, learning strategies, specialist IT programmes, specialist equipment and human support that are available to disabled students in higher education

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION

The Wellbeing and Disability Advisor will also be expected to demonstrate their commitment:

• to Metanoia values and regulations, including Metanoia’s social, economic, and environmental responsibilities.
• Metanoia’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion responsibilities and ensure that you engage in the successful implementation of Metanoia’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy.
• to their Health and Safety responsibilities to ensure their contribution to a safe and secure working environment for staff, students, and other visitors to the Institute.
• Some weekend work will be required on a rota basis.

 

To apply, please submit a CV with Cover Letter to hr@metanoia.ac.uk

To learn more about this position, and to view the job description please visit the Metanoia Institute website: https://www.metanoia.ac.uk/ or to arrange an informal discussion about this role, please Professor Paul McDermott, Director of Education at paul.mcdermott@metanoia.ac.uk

We believe equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to making Metanoia Institute a welcoming, vibrant and successful organisation. We encourage applicants from a range of backgrounds because having a diverse workforce opens up a wealth of possibilities, makes us more creative and accelerates our impact on society.