Educational Support Assistants

The University of Kent Disability team is looking to recruit to our pool of Educational Support Assistants (ESAs) for our Canterbury campus, providing hourly paid support to students.

Pay grade 5 point 17: £16.43 per hour.

Job summary

ESAs provide one-to-one (non-medical) in-person academic support for undergraduate and post-graduate students studying at the Canterbury campus. Students register with a range of physical and mental health concerns, including Autistic Spectrum conditions, ADHD, sensory impairments, or medical conditions. Students may need assistance in the completion of lecture and seminar notes. The ESA’s role is to faithfully convey the subject, content and spirit of the speaker, primarily via typed notes. You would not be expected to create a verbatim transcript of the session. We particularly welcome applications from people with a scientific or mathematical background, as we are currently underrepresented in this subject area.

Duties can also include providing library support to the students, such as collecting books and catalogue searching, printing information from websites and department archives, and adapting materials into appropriate formats: e.g. typing notes and documents, producing audio recordings, photocopying and scanning. The post holder may be asked to work as an Exam Scribe or Reader (amanuensis) during the performance of in class tests.

The post holder must exercise personal responsibility and judgement when working with identified students in a study support context, this means that you will assert your professional boundaries in such a way that the student recognises you as a member of staff and that you will pass on any concerns about student welfare.

Whilst this is a zero-hour contract, the post holder would be expected to be able to provide at least 8 hours per week during term time (September-December and January-April), although this may be split over a number of days. A consistent slot per week is required so that students have reliable support. Flexibility of your availability is desirable as timetables do sometimes change.

Applicants for the role are required to be educated to degree level or equivalent. A CACDP Certificate in Note taking, or equivalent recognised qualification for note-taking in higher education, or qualifications in counselling, teaching or mental health work would be desirable.

ESAs must have excellent record keeping and organisation skills; a good standard of written English; excellent communication skills (verbal and interpersonal skills). You would have the enthusiasm to motivate others to succeed; an ability to work efficiently and calmly under pressure; a high level of awareness of ‘boundary issues’ which may arise when working closely with students. Experience of working with people in post-compulsory education, or evidence of working with people in a welfare or related capacity and knowledge of higher education institutions and the practices and processes therein are also desirable.

Last and not least, you would have the ability to maintain confidentiality regards the students you are working with and pass on any concerns to the line manager.

To apply for this post please email CV and covering letter outlining how you meet the criteria to: k.e.senyszyn@kent.ac.uk

For more information please email: k.e.senyszyn@kent.ac.uk

Closing date: 13^th September 2024.

Please note that the vacancy may close early if enough suitable candidates have applied.

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