At a Glance
- Tasks: Support university students with study skills, focusing on Autism and SpLD.
- Company: Join a national provider dedicated to making education accessible for all.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, competitive pay, and potential funding for qualifications.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while enjoying a supportive work culture.
- Qualifications: Experience with autistic individuals or SpLDs and relevant professional memberships required.
- Other info: Freelance role with the freedom to manage your own schedule.
Location: London
Salary: £36.48 per hour
Job Type: Freelance
About us:
We are a national Non-Medical Help Provider supporting university students who are in receipt of DSA (Disabled Student Allowances). We believe in fighting inequality by helping people develop and learn. Education is a valuable life experience that can and should be made more accessible to people who have barriers to learning resulting from a disability, mental health condition, specific learning difficulty or neurodivergence. The specialist support workers we work with are highly qualified and provide professional, friendly, personalised, one-to-one support to higher education students to help them address their barriers to learning.
About the role:
The Company is expanding our team of self-employed, freelance Specialist Study Skills Tutors to work with students in person at one or several universities across London. We're looking for people who could specialise in Autism Study Skills and/or SpLD Study Skills support to start soon or in the new academic year. In order to provide this support, you would need to meet the strict mandatory qualifications as detailed below. At this time, we are specifically looking for people who could meet the students in-person rather than only providing support remotely. The Specialist Study Skills Tutors we work with are freelancers who enjoy having flexible working hours and control over their own timetable. They meet each student regularly, usually for an hour or two each week, to explore and address the student's unique barriers to learning in their academic situation.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Work with university students on a one-to-one basis to provide personalised specialist support, teaching them study skills, and developing strategies together that will help reduce the impact of their disability on their academic work.
- Communicate effectively and professionally with us within the company and also, when appropriate, with colleagues in the university Disability Advisor team.
- Maintain accurate and secure digital records in line with the company's and the Department for Education's requirements.
- Be responsible for their own timetable and be proactive in helping students to engage with their support.
About you:
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience in supporting autistic people and/or people with specific learning disabilities (SpLDs such as dyslexia, dyscalculia or dyspraxia). This experience does not necessarily need to be with adult learners.
- Has a good understanding of the requirements of academic work at university level.
- Has excellent verbal and written communication.
- Meets the essential criteria for the 'Specialist one-to-one Study Skills and Strategy Support' role mandated by the Department for Education as detailed below.
Essential requirements:
A Specialist SpLD Study Skills Tutor requires membership of one of the following professional bodies:
- PATOSS (full or associate membership)
- British Dyslexia Association (professional membership)
- ADSHE (professional membership)
- Dyslexia Guild (Associate, Member or Fellow)
A Specialist Autism Study Skills Tutor requires:
- A degree
- AND a teaching qualification
- AND the "Non-medical helpers and mentors (NHM) bundle" provided by the National Autistic Society (NAS)
- AND one of the following comprehensive training courses in adult autism:
- EITHER the "Autism and SPELL in Higher Education" course provided by the National Autistic Society (NAS)
- OR the "Working Effectively with Autistic University Students" course provided by the National Association of Disability Practitioners (NADP)
- OR the "Mentoring and Study Skills and Strategy Support for autistic and ADHD students in HE" course provided by Optimum Student Support
- OR any CPD-accredited course that is focused on autism in Higher Education as its lead subject
Benefits:
- Highly paid
- Flexible working
- We would consider paying for the right candidate to gain the necessary autism-specific qualifications if they met the other criteria and had exceptional experience.
Please click the APPLY button to submit your CV for this role.
Candidates with the experience or relevant job titles: Teacher, Special Educational Needs Teacher, SENCO, Dyslexia Tutor, Tutor.
Contact Detail:
BluetownOnline Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Autism and/or SpLD Study Skills Tutors
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the field of special education and autism support. Attend relevant workshops, seminars, or conferences to meet potential colleagues and learn about opportunities that may not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific requirements for the role, especially the qualifications needed. This will help you understand what additional training or certifications you might need to pursue before applying.
✨Tip Number 3
Consider volunteering or gaining experience in educational settings that support students with autism or SpLDs. This hands-on experience can enhance your understanding and make you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your approach to personalised support during interviews. Think about specific strategies you've used in the past to help students overcome barriers to learning, as this will demonstrate your expertise and commitment.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Autism and/or SpLD Study Skills Tutors
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in supporting autistic individuals and those with specific learning disabilities. Include any relevant qualifications, such as memberships in professional bodies like PATOSS or the British Dyslexia Association.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for helping students overcome barriers to learning. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to provide personalised support and your understanding of academic requirements at university level.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly outline your qualifications related to the role, such as teaching qualifications and any autism-specific training courses you have completed. This will show that you meet the essential criteria set by the Department for Education.
Showcase Communication Skills: In your application, emphasise your excellent verbal and written communication skills. Provide examples of how you have effectively communicated with students and colleagues in previous roles, as this is crucial for the position.
How to prepare for a job interview at BluetownOnline
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your experience in supporting autistic individuals and those with specific learning disabilities. Share specific examples of how you've helped students overcome their barriers to learning, as this will demonstrate your capability for the role.
✨Understand the Role Requirements
Familiarise yourself with the essential qualifications and training required for the position. Knowing the specifics about the 'Non-medical helpers and mentors (NHM) bundle' and relevant courses will show your commitment and preparedness.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since effective communication is key in this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and professionally. Be ready to explain how you would maintain accurate records and communicate with both students and university staff.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Proactivity
Highlight your ability to manage your own timetable and be proactive in engaging with students. Discuss how you would adapt your teaching strategies to meet the unique needs of each student, showcasing your flexibility in approach.