HE Access & Participation Officer (A&PO)

Hours: 37 per week

Working Weeks: 40 weeks

Contract Type: Fixed-term for 2 years (from start date)

Site: Accrington & Rossendale College

Closing Date: Midnight, Sunday 7th June 2026

Interview Date: Monday 15th June 2026

The Exciting Role

An exciting opportunity has become available for an Access & Participation Officer to join our dynamic and forward-thinking University Centre team.

At ELUC, we are proud of our inclusive, student-focused approach and our commitment to widening participation in higher education. You’ll be joining a passionate, collaborative team that values creativity, continuous improvement, and the transformative power of education.

The successful candidate will be primarily based at the Accrington ELUC but will be required to travel across sites as well as attendance at external events.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Report to the Dean of Higher Education and support the achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs) outlined in the college’s Access and Participation Plan.
• Conduct targeted outreach to attract students from underrepresented backgrounds through school visits, employer and community events, and digital campaigns.
• Monitor the progress of a caseload of learners, working with curriculum teams to improve engagement, participation, and retention.
• Facilitate small group workshops and activities (online and in-person) to address learning gaps and barriers.
• Implement interventions such as tutoring, bridge courses, and employability initiatives.
• Collect, analyse, and report on data to monitor student progress and inform planning.
• Support the planning and delivery of large-scale events such as open days, summer schools, and progression events.
• Engage in continuous professional development and contribute to quality assurance processes.

What We Are Looking For:

If you’re passionate about widening participation and supporting student success, we’d love to hear from you. We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to support students across our University Centre provision.

The ideal candidate will hold GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths, alongside a recent degree in a relevant subject or a Level 5 professional qualification—or be willing to work towards one. A mentoring or learning support qualification and experience delivering online support sessions would be advantageous.

Essential experience includes working with adult students in a college or university setting, a proven track record in student recruitment, support, or access and participation, and strong teamwork skills.

Knowledge of higher education programmes and curriculum, as well as an understanding of access and participation activities, is desirable.

The role requires flexibility to work evenings and weekends, travel across sites, and a full driving licence with access to a car is needed.

We value initiative, positivity, and enthusiasm, alongside a strong commitment to equality, diversity, safeguarding, and continuous improvement. Excellent communication and digital skills, as well as the ability to lead small-scale projects and promote activities, are essential.

How to Apply:

If you're interested in this post and would like to know more, then please visit our website and follow the steps to apply online - click the 'Apply' button above. 

*Please note we only accept applications submitted via our website*

Please note: All of our posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check due to working with vulnerable adults and children. Should you wish to discuss this further, please get in touch with the HR team.

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