SpLD Tutor / Adviser (2 positions)

The post of SpLD Tutor / Adviser is primarily to provide a year-round comprehensive and quality one-to-one specialist study skills and strategy support service to undergraduate and postgraduate students with SpLDs and other disabilities. The post holder will also be expected to undertake SpLD advisory duties throughout the year, but this will be a flexible and fluctuating element of the role based on the operational requirements of the service. The post holder will report directly to the Disability Manager (Learning Services) and will be part of a team of Disability Services staff working to ensure the full inclusion of disabled students within the academic and social community, taking the lead on a specialist area within SpLD support and delivery. It is expected that the post holder will be able to offer face-to-face and remote tutoring, including the associated administrative duties of the tutoring role. The advisory element would include for example, providing
information and advice to prospective and current students; attending departmental and University Open Days; advising students and academic staff on reasonable adjustments; drawing up personal learning support plans in liaison with students, academic schools and central services; and promoting SpLD awareness.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
Identify the learning needs of students and design, prepare and deliver academic-related one-to-one specialist study skills and strategy support.
Develop a flexible, individual learning plan for students that will enable students to develop strategies to cope with their individual and fluctuating academic work demands.
Incorporate, where relevant, the use of assistive technology to develop independent and autonomous study skills within individual support sessions.
Keep full and accurate records of support relating to student engagement, progress and signposting to other resources and sources of support in line with the Service systems and processes.
Work alongside the existing SpLD Advisers to provide a relevant advisory support service to both students and staff.
Take the lead on a designated specialist area within SpLD support and delivery, this may include co-ordinating and supervising tutors and assessors.
Actively participate in internal and external networks (for example, ADSHE), team meetings and CPD opportunities to maintain professional qualifications in SpLD and develop skills.
Work collaboratively with colleagues as part of a multi-disciplinary team within Student Support and Wellbeing and across Student Services and Administration, ensuring effective cross-referrals and promoting a holistic approach to student support.
Work in line with a model of support that promotes the independence and resilience of our students to best prepare them for their future study or career goals.
Keep and maintain confidential and accurate records in accordance with data protection legislation and the University's quality assurance systems.

Other Duties and Responsibilities
Any other duties appropriate to the grade as required by the Disability Manager (Learning Services).

The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University's Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.

Person Specification

Qualifications / Training

The post holder will undertake duties in line with funding from Student Finance England, Wales and others, through the Disabled Students' Allowance; which also regulates the mandatory qualifications and professional memberships required to undertake the role.

Essential
Educated to degree level. A specialist teaching qualification in teaching / supporting students with SpLDs in Higher Education. Current professional membership of ADSHE, PATOSS, BDA or Dyslexia Guild.

Desirable
A degree and a teaching qualification and comprehensive training in adult autism to deliver Specialist one-to-one Study Skills and Strategy Support - Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) in line with DSA mandatory qualifications., The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.

We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas. If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.

Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University's Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.

Disclosure & Barring Service

This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.

As Bangor University meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions. DBS checks will be updated every 3 years.

Candidates will have practical experience of delivering one-to-one specialist study skills and strategy support to students with a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) in a Higher Education (HE) learning environment. The role holder will also take the lead on a specialist area within SpLD support and delivery.

Candidates must fulfil the Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) Department for Education (DfE) qualification and professional body membership requirements of the role to deliver DSA's fundable Non-Medical Help. That is, candidates should be educated to degree level and hold a specialist teaching qualification in teaching / supporting students with SpLDs in HE. They should also have professional membership of ADSHE, PATOSS, BDA or Dyslexia Guild.

The successful candidate will be expected to commence as soon as possible.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post.

The post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.

This role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview., Essential
Substantial practical experience of delivering one-to-one specialist study skills and strategy support to students with SpLD in a HE Learning environment. Experience of planning individualised specialist study skills programmes, using multisensory and differentiated teaching methods to support wide-ranging and complex student profiles. Experience of integrating new and assisted technologies as part of a teaching / support programme to SpLD students. Knowledge of the impact of a range of SpLDs and learning styles on students' learning and experience of studying in higher education. Knowledge of the social model of disability and an understanding and commitment to a model of student support that promotes the independence and resilience of students to best prepare them for their future study or career goals. Knowledge of and commitment to the principles of Equality and Diversity. Demonstrate commitment to continuing professional development to inform
practice.

Desirable
Experience of working with people on the Autistic Spectrum. Knowledge of the support mechanisms and funding options for students in Higher Education.

Skills / Abilities

Essential
Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels. Have experience of negotiating and working within appropriate professional boundaries, and a firm understanding of confidentiality issues. Demonstrable ability to lead on a specialist area within a team of peers. Have excellent planning and organisation skills including the ability to work to tight deadlines, prioritise work effectively and keep accurate records. Have excellent IT skills, including word processing and other packages and experience of using assistive technology and virtual learning environments, for example, Blackboard. Be adaptable and able to work effectively both independently and co-operatively as part of a practice sharing team within Disability Services and across Student Support and Wellbeing. Be able to understand and adhere to service systems, procedures and quality standards as defined through the line management of the
service.

Desirable
The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable for this role. If applicants are not able to speak / write in Welsh at present, there are many opportunities to learn if the successful candidate wishes to do so.