Specialist Study Skills Support Tutor (Autism and SpLD)

at  University of Derby

JOB DETAILS

Responsible to
Student Support Manager
Location
All Derby Sites
Closing date
Sunday 3 November 2024
Salary
£25.17 per hour plus time and a half for each hour of student contact
Job grade

MPS 2

Reference
0473-24
Contract type
Fixed term contract until 30/05/2025
Post type
Hourly paid
Adaptive working type
Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework.
Please note: applicants already contracted to full-time positions within the University are not permitted to undertake additional contracted hours due to the weekly working time directive.
About the University
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
About the College/Department
Student Services at the University of Derby is committed to providing the best possible support services to our students, to enhance the student experience, to help students achieve their full potential and to meet the strategic aims of the University. These services are central to the student experience they are visible, seamless, effective and tailored to the needs of our student community. As part of this commitment, a transformational programme of work is underway in Student Services to ensure that the support we deliver not only meets the needs of our students but also enables delivery of a vision for a developmental and collaborative model of student services that supports a transformational educational experience for students.
We are excited for this next chapter in our service and welcome applicants with vision, drive and a passion for supporting student success.
About the role
As a Specialist Study Skills Tutor (SpLD and Autism) you will work with individual students in the development of bespoke strategies to support independent learning and self-management to address barriers to learning created by their disability. You will provide study skills support that will assist students to develop the academic and organisational skills to manage their course and workload effectively. You will empower the student to manage difficulties that their disability has on their capacity to achieve their academic potential.
Actual hours and days will be described in a ‘Schedule of Work’.
About You
We are looking for an individual with experience of providing study skills support on an individual basis to support students with a Specific Learning Difference or Autism. The ideal candidate will have strong oral communication skills, with the ability to clearly summarise complex, detailed, or specialist information for diverse audiences.
If you are passionate about making a positive impact on adult learners and have the skills to support their individual needs, we encourage you to apply!

Principal accountabilities

• Set clear standards and expectations for the sessions delivered and ensure the nature of the help provided is in line with agreed support.
• Work with students individually in pre-booked appointments to identify learning styles and strengths, making use of assistive technology to facilitate independent learning.
• Assist students to develop their skills in: structuring essays and other written work; critical and reflective thinking and research skills; comprehension, summarising, referencing and note taking; developing and implementing proof reading strategies; assisting with time management and other academic-related organisational skills; examination preparation/revision techniques; understanding and implementing feedback from academic staff
• Prepare a structured individual learning plan based on the student’s learning strengths/preferences.
• Provide support for students using specialist software for time management, assignment planning and structure, numeracy and ensure these tools are integrated into the support strategy.
• Maintain professional confidential working relationships, working to the Student Services Code of Conduct and Confidentiality Policy.
• Attend team and peer supervision meetings
• Complete a minimum of 10 hours Continuous Professional Development (CPD) per year to keep abreast of changes and developments in the field and to ensure compliance with professional competency standards as required by Disabled Students’ Allowance Quality Assurance Framework (DSA-QAF).
• Maintain timely and accurate records of all student contact including detailed notes of each session to ensure funding can be promptly claimed and student progress monitored.
• To provide support to the wider Student Support team when available.
• Provide information and guidance to staff within the University on issues relating to dyslexia and other specific learning Differences.
• Demonstrate and promote the values and behaviours of the University and embrace equality and diversity.
• Contribute to the ongoing development, planning and auditing of the service.
• Maintain a safe working environment in accordance with the University Health and Safety Policy.
• To be responsible for promoting the University’s Equality & Diversity Policy.
• Maintain a safe working environment and to work to the University Health and Safety Policy.

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS

• A relevant undergraduate degree or equivalent experience
• Membership of a professional body for Specific Learning Difficulties or a recognised Teaching Qualification (minimum level 4)
• Evidenced training in Adult Autism by a qualified trainer
• Mandatory DfE qualification and professional body membership requirements to deliver DSA’s fundable Non-Medical Help (NMH) Specialist Mentor roles: practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/1991/nmh-qualifications-matrix-july2023-updated-sept-23.pdf

EXPERIENCE

• Experience of supporting adult learners with specific learning differences
• Experience of supporting adult learners with autism
• Experience and knowledge of using specialist assistive software to support students with specific learning differences
• Experience in the delivery of one-to-one tuition and group work with adults with specific learning differences
• Experience of, and being able to demonstrate the confidence to deliver training/ workshops to large groups

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES

• Skills in interpreting diagnostic assessment reports and in using these to inform the design and planning of teaching interventions
• Excellent literacy skills to support teaching
• Communication skills (Oral) – can demonstrate the ability to summarise complex ideas or information which may be highly detailed, technical or specialist
• Excellent written communication
• Excellent IT skills including word, Excel, PowerPoint and social media
• An understanding of the diversity of the student population and their need in respect of services
• Sensitivity in working across disciplines

BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS

• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Willingness and ability to travel to different university campuses to deliver specialist support to students

Benefits

• Annual leave accrual
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Discounted access to Devonshire Spa
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

Find out more about rewards and benefitsFind out more about rewards and benefits
Key contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Charlotte Wisson, Student Support Manager via c.wisson@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.
Don’t miss your chance – join the team and make a difference today

• Set clear standards and expectations for the sessions delivered and ensure the nature of the help provided is in line with agreed support.
• Work with students individually in pre-booked appointments to identify learning styles and strengths, making use of assistive technology to facilitate independent learning.
• Assist students to develop their skills in: structuring essays and other written work; critical and reflective thinking and research skills; comprehension, summarising, referencing and note taking; developing and implementing proof reading strategies; assisting with time management and other academic-related organisational skills; examination preparation/revision techniques; understanding and implementing feedback from academic staff
• Prepare a structured individual learning plan based on the student’s learning strengths/preferences.
• Provide support for students using specialist software for time management, assignment planning and structure, numeracy and ensure these tools are integrated into the support strategy.
• Maintain professional confidential working relationships, working to the Student Services Code of Conduct and Confidentiality Policy.
• Attend team and peer supervision meetings
• Complete a minimum of 10 hours Continuous Professional Development (CPD) per year to keep abreast of changes and developments in the field and to ensure compliance with professional competency standards as required by Disabled Students’ Allowance Quality Assurance Framework (DSA-QAF).
• Maintain timely and accurate records of all student contact including detailed notes of each session to ensure funding can be promptly claimed and student progress monitored.
• To provide support to the wider Student Support team when available.
• Provide information and guidance to staff within the University on issues relating to dyslexia and other specific learning Differences.
• Demonstrate and promote the values and behaviours of the University and embrace equality and diversity.
• Contribute to the ongoing development, planning and auditing of the service.
• Maintain a safe working environment in accordance with the University Health and Safety Policy.
• To be responsible for promoting the University’s Equality & Diversity Policy.
• Maintain a safe working environment and to work to the University Health and Safety Policy