Student Wellbeing Adviser Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Job description
Salary: £27,131 to £28,762 with progression to £31,411 per annum
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.
Closing Date: 02 March 2023
The Role
As a member of Student Health and Wellbeing Services (SHWS), the post holder will report to the Head of Disability, under the day-to-day direction of the School Manager working collaboratively with the Head of Student Counselling and school staff (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 current taught students who need advice and assistance with health and wellbeing, 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. The post holder will provide a comprehensive ‘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.
The University is committed to providing a great range of benefits and discounts for our colleagues, which includes: excellent pension provision; an on-site sports centre and library; flexible working options; a minimum of 37 days holiday (including public holidays), a Christmas closure period, and the option to purchase a further two weeks additional leave per year; family friendly leave policies; discounted travel for the Metro and local bus services; 24 hour employee assistance phone line and web portal to provide support and advice with a wide variety of life’s issues; and discounts for national retailers. You can find out more on our benefits web page.
Interviews will be held on Friday 24 March 2023.
Candidates wishing to discuss the post may contact Nicky Cooney, Student Wellbeing Adviser Team Manager on [email protected] .
For more information about the Faculty of Medical Sciences, please visit here.
For more information about the School of Medicine, please visit here.
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 Senior Academic colleagues and Personal Tutors in ensuring the delivery of a high-quality system of personal tutoring – in accordance with the Framework for Personal Tutoring – across the academic unit
Support the identification of school-based staff training needs relevant to student health and wellbeing needs and encourage all staff, including personal tutors within the academic units, to attend appropriate training events and workshops
Provide information, guidance, support, to all taught students and to act as champion for potentially vulnerable students, (e.g. disabled students, those from a widening participation background, clearing, BAME, young carers, LGBTQ etc.)
Work closely with the relevant school staff to ensure that all taught students receive the help they need, from transition into University to final degree. Discuss support requirements, facilitating any needed communication with Student Health and Wellbeing
Support the work of the central SHWS by providing information, advice and guidance to all students and staff, including the provision of advice and guidance on how wellbeing impacts upon academic study, with further signposting to accommodation and financial advice. This could include one-to-one work or group workshops, leaflets/booklets, presentations, events and promotions
Identify and report on trends and needs in the above areas to the Head of Disability and School Manager in order to inform and develop support for students across the University, e.g. transition and retention initiatives, which help students to settle and stay at the University
Contribute to the co-ordination and/ or delivery of wellbeing related projects, (e.g. peer mentoring schemes, open days, induction events, information drop-ins etc.)
Under the direction of the Head of Disability and Academic colleagues in the School, 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
Receive and monitor data trends in such areas as PEC submissions, notifications of absences, late submissions of work and overall student engagement with their studies, in order to identify, where possible, problem/ welfare situations before they escalate
Under the direction of the School Manager, regularly report to relevant school committees/ boards trends in student welfare statistics, issues/ solutions and resource requirements
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
Attend regular Disability Service meetings to inform best practice, key service 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. e.g. physical and mental disability support, advice and guidance, welfare, social work, pastoral care, active listening or counselling
Experience of working in a relevant pastoral care role or student focussed environment, preferably working with young adults with mental or physical health disabilities
Excellent literacy and report writing skills and the ability to write clearly and concisely
Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion, whilst understanding the parameters within which such rules must be overturned
Ability to manage multiple caseloads and maintain GDPR compliant records
Excellent team skills and the ability to work effectively in many different team environments
Attributes and Behaviours
Calm approach to difficult and distressing situations
Acts with an in depth understanding of equality, diversity and inclusivity
Is able to work effectively as a member of the team and to develop close and effective working relationships with School colleagues, clinical and external partners/contacts around the region
Has proven ability to use their initiative to think strategically, contribute to policy debates and adopt an active approach to problem solving
Keeps in touch with the culture of the School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences and University; tunes in to staff and student issues and keeps an active ‘ear open’ for issues before they escalate
Qualifications
Degree or equivalent level qualification plus experience in a similar role or significant vocational experience, demonstrating development through progressively more demanding, relevant roles
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.
We are 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.
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: 25115
