Disability Practitioner

Job Description

University Health and Wellbeing is seeking to appoint an exceptional candidate to the post of Disability Practitioner. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual to join the disability team. This role provides specialist professional advice and guidance to students, applicants and colleagues and to work creatively to remove barriers for disabled students. To raise awareness and promote a positive, respectful and inclusive culture to enable access, progress and retention for disabled students.

University Health and Wellbeing provide information, advice and guidance on a wide range of support issues, to enable students to maximise their potential whilst at University. The service is free, confidential and available to all students.

The role is campus based. There is opportunity for flexible hybrid working dependent on service need. The fixed working hours are Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. We are a Disability Confident employer which means that we offer an interview to any applicant applying under the scheme that meets the essential criteria for a role.

Key Accountabilities

• To act as a central point of contact for future and current disabled students, including long-term mental health conditions.
• To provide advice and information to students and key stakeholders, on the provision of support services and facilities within and external to the University.
• Manage a varied, complex and sensitive caseload of future and current disabled students, including those with long-term mental health conditions.
• Identify and respond to risk, and to refer appropriately to internal and or external services.
• Apply knowledge and understanding of the additional mental health vulnerabilities of those from minority or marginalised backgrounds.
• With equal efficacy offer a blend of individual present-in-person and digital meetings to identify relevant support and adjustments.
• Provide advice, guidance and information, including advice on Disabled Students Allowances.
• Undertake assessments of student needs and deliver one to one or small group interventions.
• Proactively liaise with colleagues within the Examinations Office to implement additional examination arrangements.
• Plan, coordinate and participate in staff development activities.
• Facilitate improvements in provision for disabled students by holding a knowledge lead responsibility.
• Complete and maintain record keeping in a timely fashion.
• Contribute to the evaluation of the impact of support provided.
• Undertake regular personal training and continuing professional development.
• Keep abreast of internal and external developments affecting support for disabled students.
• Adhere to Data Protection Laws and University policies.
• Act as a consultant and trainer to university staff.
• Liaise with external bodies and internal colleagues to support disabled students.
• Participate in promotion of Student Health and Wellbeing activity.

Person Specification (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of and familiarity with the application of relevant legislation and the implications in an HE setting.
• Understanding of effects of a range of mental health difficulties and disabilities.
• Experience and/or training in cross cultural mental health support.
• Capacity to deal with a highly sensitive caseload and work collaboratively.
• Knowledge of principles of inclusivity, diversity and equal opportunities.
• Ability to interpret and apply knowledge of policies and procedures.
• Evidenced based advice and guidance skills.
• Highly flexible working style.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent communications skills.
• Ability to exercise initiative and judgement.
• Highly competent IT skills.
• Ability to manage time and resources effectively.
• Management of own caseload.
• Experience of working with groups.
• Presentation and/or training skills.

Attributes and Behaviour

• Takes initiative to ensure future success.
• Accepts reality of change.
• Is supportive of others during change.
• Anticipates change and prepares for it.
• Establishes effective management control systems.
• Effective at organising and managing complex workload.
• Uses own and others’ time effectively.
• Plans workload and tasks systematically.
• Considers large amounts of complex information quickly.
• Recognises urgency and takes decisive action.
• Confidently deals with broad range of information.

Qualifications

• A recognised degree or equivalent qualification and/or experience.
• A relevant professional Qualification such as Advice and Guidance, Registered Nurse Mental Health/ Social Worker/ Occupational Therapist, or Autism practice etc.

Additional Information

Requisition ID: 29346. [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all. We are committed to being a fully inclusive university. We hold a Gold Athena Swan award and a Race Equality Charter Bronze award. We are a Disability Confident employer.

For further information, contact Sandy Alden at [contact hidden].

Apply via the link provided.