Student Welfare Manager (London)

West Dean College is seeking an experienced and compassionate Student Welfare Manager to lead and deliver a proactive, professional and student-centred welfare service across our London and Sussex campuses.

This is an important role, providing advice, guidance and practical support to students on a wide range of personal, financial, practical and wellbeing matters. You will play a key part in ensuring students feel supported, included and able to make the most of their time at West Dean.

Working closely with academic colleagues, Student Services and external agencies, you will identify individual support needs, coordinate appropriate interventions and help ensure students have access to the resources and adjustments they need to succeed.

Key responsibilities

• Provide confidential advice and guidance on student welfare matters, including financial support, accommodation, disability, learning support, childcare and international student issues.
• Assess individual student needs and coordinate appropriate support and interventions.
• Develop and maintain individual Learning Support Plans and ensure reasonable adjustments are implemented effectively.
• Support students with academic decisions, including interruption of study, repeat study, course transfers and withdrawal.
• Act as a key point of contact for student welfare and wellbeing, providing regular drop-in sessions and welfare clinics.
• Work collaboratively with academic teams, professional services and external agencies to ensure a joined-up approach to student support.
• Develop and coordinate wellbeing initiatives, resources and communications to promote a positive student experience.
• Contribute to student induction, engagement activities and relevant academic committees.

About you

You will be an approachable, empathetic and resilient professional with experience of delivering effective welfare or wellbeing services, ideally within a higher education environment.

You will have excellent communication and listening skills, with the ability to build trust and confidence with students while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. You will be highly organised, able to manage a varied and demanding caseload, and confident in assessing individual needs and identifying appropriate support.

You will also bring:

• A degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Experience providing wellbeing or welfare support in an educational environment, preferably higher education.
• A sound understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• The ability to work within a brief intervention framework.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• A proactive and collaborative approach to developing and improving student support services.

Experience of developing online wellbeing resources, delivering group training or maintaining confidential casework records would be advantageous.

Why work for West Dean?

West Dean is a unique and inspiring specialist institution dedicated to education in arts, crafts, conservation and design. You will be joining a welcoming and creative community where student experience, inclusion and wellbeing are valued.

Our benefits include:

• Hybrid working opportunities.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Subsidised meals and refreshments at our Sussex campus.
• Access to discounted and free short courses and learning opportunities.

Working arrangements

This is a permanent, term-time-only position working 35 hours per week over 35 weeks of the year.

The working pattern will follow the College's academic calendar, with two additional weeks before the start of the academic year to support preparation and planning. The postholder will not be required to work during three designated reading weeks within the academic year.

The postholder will not be required to work during three designated reading weeks within the academic year.

Location: Bloomsbury Campus, London, with occasional travel to our Sussex campus.

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