JOB DESCRIPTION

Vacancy reference: To be populated by HR if being advertised

Post Title: Disability Advisor

Grade: Grade 6

School/Department: Well Being Service - Disability

Reports to: Disability Advisory Service Team Leaders

Responsible for: N/A

Purpose

The Post holder will be a key member of the Disability Advisory Service, responsible for supporting and advising disabled students with a variety of disabilities during their time at the University of Reading.

Main duties and responsibilities

Advising disabled students and applicants on applying for the Disabled Students Allowances (DSA) and the range of support they can expect

Collaborating with academic colleagues on making suitable adjustments for students with a wide range of disabilities and advising on inclusive approaches to learning, teaching and assessment

Providing professional/suitable guidance to disabled students with a wide range of disabilities, both internally and to external organisations

Developing and delivering workshops and presentations to dyslexic students and applicants about DSA and support available where applicable

Making effective referrals to other support services as appropriate (to include Counselling, Study Advisers, Mental Health Advisers, Student Finance Advisers, Accommodation Officer, Social Services etc.)

Liaising with assessors to discuss suitable recommendations for students and applicants and advocating for students where the Assessment of Need does not meet the students need

Contributing to the monitoring and evaluation of the University’s provision for disabled students and play a key role in the development of the University’s Disability Equality Scheme

Negotiating funding for the student with Student Finance England and other funding bodies to secure support

Advocating for the student with a wide range of internal and external bodies Liaising with Estates/UPP to ensure that appropriate adaptations are made to halls of residences

and teaching buildings Interviewing and selecting suitable candidates as student support workers Other duties, as required. This may include representing the interests of disabled students on

University committees designing and delivering student workshops or staff training sessions or producing written copy or student guides or the website

Supervision received

From the Disability Team Leaders.

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Human Resources

Supervision given

Some supervision of hourly paid support workers for your caseload of students.

Contact

The post holder can expect daily contact with students and parents, as well as with other staff in the Student Services Centre, specialist mentors/tutors, academic departments and the wider University. There will also be some contact with students’ funding bodies.

Terms and conditions

Part time permanent from Aug 2018.

This document outlines the duties required for the time being of the post to indicate the level of responsibility. It is not a comprehensive or exhaustive list and the line manager may vary duties from time to time which do not change the general character of the job or the level of responsibility entailed.

Date assessed: April 2017

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PERSON SPECIFICATIONJob Title School/Department

G6 Assessor Advisor Student Wellbeing Service - Disability

Criteria Essential DesirableSkills Required Excellent negotiation skills and ability to

manage conflict Ability to manage workload and work on

own initiative Ability to work efficiently under pressure Excellent organisational skills Excellent communication and

interpersonal skills – written and spoken Sound IT skills – Word, Outlook, Excel and

web Capacity for empathy with wide range of

disabled students Diplomacy Problem-solving Experience of using Excel and databases

Updating web pages

Attainment Educated to degree level or equivalentKnowledge Working knowledge and understanding of

the disability legislation affecting the HE sector and the practical implications for the University

Extensive knowledge and experience of the Disabled Students’ Allowances

Advisory/guidance qualifications or experience

Relevant Experience

Previous experience of working with disabled students in an advice and guidance context

Significant experience of HE or disability issues and working on complex case work with students with complex needs including emergency plans

Experience of designing and delivering training sessions and workshops

Experience of working with academic staff, supporting and advising on inclusive approaches to teaching, learning and assessments

Experience of assessing disabled students in a HE Context

Disposition Team player Flexibility Committed Conscientious Sensitivity and respect for students Ability to manage confidential information

and maintain professional boundaries.

Completed by: Annabel Avery and Kate French Date: 03/02/17

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