Newcastle University Hiring for Student Wellbeing Advisor Job at Newcastle upon Tyne, England , UK Full Time

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

What’s in it for you? Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Newcastle is an inclusive global University community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices.

Salary: £27,131 to £28,762 with progression to £31,411 per annum

Closing Date: 13 December 2022

The Role

As a member of SHWS, you will report to the Head of Disability, under the day-to-day direction of the School Manager and work collaboratively with the Head of Student Counselling and Mental Health and School Colleagues (e.g. the Director of Excellence in Learning and Teaching, Senior and Personal Tutors and Degree Programme Directors), to provide a local, comprehensive and professional point of contact for both incoming and registered students who need advice and assistance with health and wellbeing concerns, either from transition to higher education or during progression through study.

This will include, but is not limited to, supporting applicants and students with specific learning difficulties, autism spectrum disorder, long-term health conditions and mental health difficulties.

You will provide a comprehensive listening, support, signposting and, when appropriate, a ‘follow-up’ service to ensure suitable support and advice is being provided and acted upon, ensuring that students have the optimum opportunity to fulfil their potential and gain the best experience from their time at university.

For informal enquiries please contact [email protected] or [email protected]

Key Accountabilities

In line with University and school support protocols, act as a point of contact within the school for students requiring support, referring them to the most appropriate source of help and guidance (both internally and outside of the University) and where appropriate, monitor engagement with referral and sign posting advice

To monitor the implementation of Student Support Plans provided by Student Health and Wellbeing and support changes needed to such plans accordingly

To work operationally with colleagues to ensure inclusivity for students with additional support needs and compliance with relevant legislation

Support Person and Senior Tutors in ensuring the delivery of a high-quality system of personal tutoring – in accordance with the Personal Tutoring system across the academic unit

Support colleague wellbeing leads in the identification of school-based colleague training needs relevant to student health and wellbeing and encourage all colleague, including personal tutors within the academic units, to attend appropriate training events and workshops

Provide information, guidance, support, to all students and act as champion for minoritised and or potentially vulnerable students, (e.g., disabled students, those from a widening participation background, clearing, minoritised ethnic backgrounds, young carers, LGBTQ+ etc.)

Work closely with the relevant school colleague to ensure that all students receive the help they need, from transition into University to final degree. Discuss support requirements, facilitating any needed communication with central Student Health and Wellbeing.

As guided by the Head of Disability, work co-operatively with other members of the University or external agencies on the creation and delivery of projects promoting the wellbeing of students

Support the work of the central SHWS by providing information, advice and guidance to all school students and colleague, on how wellbeing may impact upon academic study, with further signposting to practical support including but not limited to accommodation and financial advice

Identify and report on trends in student need to the Head of Disability and School Manager in order to inform and develop ongoing effective support for students across the University

Contribute to the co-ordination and/ or delivery of wellbeing related projects, (e.g., peer mentoring schemes, weekend open days, induction events, information drop-ins etc.)

Under the direction of the Head of Disability, support students progressing through the Support to Study and Fitness to Study processes

Attend and support the PEC Committees in decision making, by providing student wellbeing advice and knowledge

Use individual available student data, such areas as PEC submissions, notifications of absences, late submissions of work and overall student engagement with their studies, in order to identify and intervene to support students to before concerns escalate

Under the direction of the School Manager and Head of Disability, regularly report to relevant SHWS managers, school committees/ boards trends in student welfare statistics, issues/ solutions and resource requirements

Under the direction of the School Manager, support the review and improvement of policies and practices relevant to student wellbeing

To attend regular relevant committees which gather student opinion e.g., Student Voice Committees, Boards of Studies. Reading minutes from such meetings and ensuring any actions related to student wellbeing are cohesive and carried out in consultation with Head of Disability

To attend regular Disability Service meetings to inform best practice, key SHWS developments and school-related initiatives

To undertake any other projects, activities or tasks commensurate with the grade, as identified by the Head of Disability and the School Manager

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Evidence of relevant professional training and or experience e.g., Higher Education Provider student support experience, physical and mental health disability support in a higher education setting, university student advice and guidance, welfare, social work, pastoral care Experience of working with adults from a diverse background, with mental or physical health disabilities, preferably in a higher education setting Demonstrable understanding of how intersectional elements of a student affect their access to and engagement with mental health support Ability to disseminate information effectively via a range of media, including speaking to large groups of colleague or students Excellent literacy and report writing skills and the ability to write clearly and concisely Ability to manage multiple caseloads and maintain GDPR compliant records Excellent team skills and the ability to work effectively in many different team environments Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion, whilst understanding the parameters within which such rules must be overturned High levels of personal initiative and the ability to make decisions in stressful and difficult situations

Desirable Up to date working knowledge of local and national support services, current legislation and guidelines around disability, equality, diversity and inclusion issues, and an understanding of how disability impacts on the student experience

Attributes and Behaviour Calm approach to difficult and distressing situations Positive, solution focused, proactive can-do attitude, to support activities across all the SHWS teams when needed Strong commitment to continually updating knowledge, skills, and experience to provide the best service to students and colleagues Creates an environment of trust and respect in which students and colleague can say what they need to without fear Understands and values the perspective of key stakeholder groups – student union, students and parents, academics and professional service colleagues, health professionals and managers Acts with an in depth understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusivity Stays aware of student issues and keeps an active ‘ear open’ for issues before they escalate

Qualifications

Undergraduate degree or equivalent

The University holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. The University is also a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 24789