Disability Officer Leeds, England
Job description
At Kaplan Open Learning, we are experts in online Higher Education. Working closely with our partner universities, our vision is to become a world leader in online learning, making higher education accessible to anyone with the potential and drive to succeed.
We develop, deliver, support and market, sector-leading online higher education programmes to a global student audience. Our innovative and unique online pedagogy utilises the latest digital learning technologies to provide teaching excellence and a world-class student experience.
We work in collaboration with our university partners to develop engaging, interactive learning materials using the latest digital learning technologies. This approach blends our unique online pedagogy with the research-led subject expertise of our partners.
The Role
As a Disability Officer with Kaplan Open Learning, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real, tangible difference to the learning experience of students with disabilities and ensure that they have equal opportunity to succeed. You’ll work closely with our Head of Student Experience and Welfare to ensure that all students with any form of disability, medical condition, mental health illness or learning difficulty are provided with appropriate, reasonable support throughout their studies.
From the point of enrolment and throughout their learning journey, you will act as the primary contact for all student queries relating to reasonable adjustments and support measures, across all academic subjects, at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels.
By reviewing supporting evidence, and in conjunction with colleagues from our Academic, Admissions, Student Support, Study Skills, and Learning Technology departments, you will assess students for potential adjustments and write up a formal reasonable adjustment plan.
You will provide relevant guidance to Admissions and Student Services on the adjustments’ assessment process, have input into reviewing external disability awareness training for Student Services, assessing students for funding support applications, and ensuring student-facing content is appropriately accessible.
The principal focus of a Disability Officer is to assess students requesting reasonable adjustments and provide a formal plan which is referred to by Associate Tutors throughout the student’s learning journey, while always ensuring the provision of a high-quality service and professional advice, guidance and support to positively influence student achievement, satisfaction, retention, and successful student outcomes.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Disability Support
Assess Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) Needs Assessments and medical reports to determine the extent and nature of reasonable adjustments that can be offered to students with a disability or special learning needs. Ensure that assessments are conducted in a timely manner during the admissions process to facilitate informed decision making by the student.
Meet with students via telephone or video call to discuss their support needs and potential reasonable adjustments.
Meet with relevant colleagues from Academic, Learning Technology, and Study Skills teams to ensure all potential adjustments have been considered.
Create Reasonable Adjustment Plans for students, ensuring that students, module tutors and Student Support Advisers are made aware of individual student requirements.
Monitor and review Reasonable Adjustment Plans where there are programme changes, progression to a higher-level award or transfer to a different programme. Ensure students, module tutors and Student Support Advisers are informed of all updated versions.
Support students to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) and disability-related maintenance loans.
Work with colleagues from Academic, Learning Technology, and Study Skills teams to ensure content on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is appropriately accessible to all students.
Support the Head of Student Experience and Welfare in the effective management of the standard operating procedures in relation to: Disability Assessment and Support; Dyslexia Assessment Funding, Computer Contribution Reimbursement Scheme.
Assess applications for Dyslexia Assessment Funding and make appropriate recommendations to Head of Student Experience and Welfare.
Assess applications for the Computer Contribution Reimbursement Scheme and make appropriate recommendations to Head of Student Experience and Welfare.
Ensure Reasonable Adjustment Plans are correctly sent to Associate Tutors and dissertation supervisors, and complete quality checks to ensure all administrative duties are completed successfully.
Identify aspects of student experience which require development to meet appropriate equality and diversity standards.
Undertake training as required to ensure knowledge of current issues facing the sector regarding disability support.
Develop and deliver training to staff in Student Services and across the wider organisation, for example, in the areas of disability, inclusive practice and accessibility.
Assist with wider Student Welfare activities as required.
Teamwork
Assist the Head of Student Experience and Welfare as required, for example with the training and development of new staff.
Collaborate with the Academic Team to identify and resolve any potential challenges for disabled students through different modes of assessment.
General
As needed, create accessible materials aimed at supporting students and improving the student experience.
Any other tasks deemed necessary to enhance the student experience.
PERSON SPECIFICATION AND KEY COMPETENCIES
Essential Requirements
An undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including diplomacy and tact
Ability to manage a busy workload to tight deadlines
Excellent IT skills, particularly in Excel and Word, with a desire to embrace new technology
An understanding and appreciation of how a student’s disability can adversely affect their ability to study online
Desirable Requirements
A Postgraduate degree or equivalent qualification, or to be actively studying towards this
Experience of providing support and guidance to individuals with disabilities or complex needs, ideally in a higher education environment
Experience of supporting students generally in a higher education environment
Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010 in relation to protected characteristics and a sound grasp of legal aspects of supporting disabled students
If this sounds like the kind of job you'd enjoy, please apply with your CV and a Cover Letter. In your cover letter, please answer the following questions as part of your application to help us understand your motivation for applying for this role:
Why did you choose to apply for this specific role and why do you feel you are a strong candidate? (200 words maximum).- What is your understanding of online learning? (100 words maximum).
- What are your future career aspirations? (100 words maximum).
Closing date for applications is 3rd March 2023.
At Kaplan International, we are committed to working in a diverse organisation and strive to provide equality of opportunity for all. We encourage and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or identity, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnership. If as a disabled applicant (as defined under the Equality Act 2010) you would like to request that your application is considered our Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) please let us know using this form
As part of our commitment to safeguarding, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Applicants must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
£25,000 per annum
