Wellbeing and Disability Coordinator

Job Description 

REPORTS TO TITLE: Academic Registrar 

BUSINESS FUNCTION/ SUB-FUNCTION:  Academic/ Registry

ROLE PURPOSE:

As a Student Wellbeing and Disability Coordinator you will be a support specialist, managing a small team  and to provide comprehensive support to students managing the impact of disabilities or additional needs. This role involves offering expert advice, guidance, and signposting services to promote student wellbeing and inclusivity within the university community, and support and supervision to the Wellbeing and Disability advisors (WADA).  The role plays a vital part in fostering an inclusive and supportive campus environment where all students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. You will be responsible for developing the student wellbeing support service for Metanoia, ensuring we meet the needs of our students and that our services are accessible .

ROLE and RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Provide one-on-one support for the WADA’s, allocating an overseeing their workload. You will provide monthly supervision to maintain quality assurance and that all best practice is adopted.
• You will carry a caseload of high risk or complex cases ensuring that students are seen by the most appropriately qualified individual . You will provide sessions to students seeking guidance on various wellbeing concerns, including stress management, mental health, and personal development.
• Support your team to develop a range of self-help resources and wellbeing toolkits for students to access, ensuring all materials and interventions are evidenced based and/ or NHS approved (apps ). Ensure all information and guidance is accessible
• Develop external links and pathways for referral into statutory and voluntary services and develop collaborative partnerships with external agencies to improve the referral process. Audit all information and signposting regularly to ensure best practice, to connect students with relevant resources, support groups, and external agencies.
• To take the lead on serious welfare and safeguarding issues at our campus’s and online.
• Assessing risk and making appropriate referrals where necessary.
• To manage any crisis intervention professionally and within your competence.
• To work with collaboratively across the organisation to understand the needs of students and the academic staff in relation to helping students progress through their studies. Attend relevant meetings to contribute to the student experience.
• Encourage a climate of disclosure for students with disabilities, working with admissions and recruitment to indicate the support available from the earliest point of contact. Supporting your team in assessing needs and making recommendations for 'reasonable adjustments' to overcome barriers in the learning environment, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
• Ensure all new and continuous student disability cases are responded to in a timely manner (within 5 working days) and resolve queries appropriately within 24 hours (where possible).
• To provide one-to-one advice and information to disabled students, including (but not limited to) students with specific learning differences, sensory impairments, autistic spectrum conditions, long-term health conditions, physical impairments, and mental health difficulties. 
• To write detailed student Individual Support Plans (ISPs) and to communicate these with Academic departments (and other relevant stakeholders) to ensure that reasonable adjustments are implemented effectively.
• To identify circumstances where it is necessary to breach the Service's Code of Confidentiality, ensuring that duty of care responsibilities is always met and to inform senior staff of any such circumstances.
• To undertake individual case work with students to facilitate their applications for funding support, e.g. Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). This will involve liaising with external bodies such as Student Finance England, SFW, SAAS or SFNI.
• To accurately interpret, and keep up to date with, all relevant legislation and regulations related to disability and mental health matters affecting students and to ensure that accurate and appropriate advice is always offered.
• To contribute and deliver disability awareness training to staff.
• To liaise with appropriate academic and other relevant staff to support widening participation and access, academic progress and student retention.
• Participate in Recruitment and open day events as required. 

Essential Skills and Experience 

• Graduate level qualifications or equivalent 
• Possession of a relevant professional qualification and training, in a mental health/disability related discipline.E.g. Social Work, Occupational Therapy, psychology, teaching etc
• Registration with a relevant professional body to ensure Quality assurance and updated CPD and knowledge. 
• Evidence of training and continuous professional development in a range of areas
• Previous experience of managing people, performance and targets
• Working Kowledge of the University Mental Health Charter, and UUK stepchange, and UUK Suicide Safer Universities.
• Working knowledge of current disability legislation (Equality Act 2010, Mental Health Act 2007 and Mental Capacity Act 2005), policy and procedures, particularly within an educational institution. 
• An understanding of the issues affecting disabled students, and students with mental health concerns.
• Working knowledge of a range of disabilities including specific learning differences, mental health conditions, Autistic Spectrum Conditions and sensory impairments and the effects of these on access to learning.
• Knowledge of specialist organisations and referral agencies for individuals with disabilities. 
• Up to date knowledge of relevant Mental Health legislation, and local statutory service provision available to support and refer students to.
• Knowledge of the range of 'reasonable adjustments' in relation to curriculum and assessment issues. 
• Capacity to work with confidence, competence and creative dynamism with a range of clients.
• Knowledge and awareness of the various models of disability.
• Working knowledge of higher education funding streams for disabled students.
• Working knowledge of the principles of universal design in relation to physical access.
• Experience of delivering workshops/talks, and creating training programmes for staff.
• Ideally a minimum of 2 years’ experience of working with and advising students with disabilities, and mental health issues.
• Experience, working in the education sector, in an supervisory/coordinating/management role
• Good crisis management skills. Ability to empathise, remain calm and act professionally when student present in distress or crisis.  
• Significant experience of working in a team of staff in a changing environment and frequently under pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills.
• Ability to always respect a high level of confidentiality.
• Self-motivated, with a flexible approach to work and working hours.
• Excellent problem-solving ability and analytical skills. 

Desirable: 

• Master's degree in counselling, disability studies, or a related discipline.
• OCR SpLD Diploma or equivalent
• Professional/vocational qualification in Mental health 
• Membership of a Professional Body such as National Association of Disability Practitioners (NADP)
• Safeguarding certificate level 2 

OTHER INFORMATION

The Wellbeing and Disability officer will also be expected to demonstrate their commitment:

• To Metanoia values and regulations, including Metanoia’s social, economic, and environmental responsibilities.
• Metanoia’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion responsibilities and ensure that you engage in the successful implementation of Metanoia’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy.
• To their Health and Safety responsibilities to ensure their contribution to a safe and secure working environment for staff, students, and other visitors to the Institute. 

Our Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Free parking on site
• Hybrid work
• Employee assistance Programme 

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter, outlining your interest in the role via the 'Apply' button above.