Disability Adviser in Bangor

The Directorate of Student and Academic Services brings together key professional services that support the student journey and enhance the academic experience at Bangor University. The Directorate comprises three main areas: Registry, which oversees student administration and business support, and leads on quality assurance, academic enhancement, and curriculum management; Student Life, which encompasses a wide range of student-facing services including Wellbeing and Inclusivity, Library Collections, Residential Life, Student Success (covering Teaching, Learning and Language Support, Careers, and Student Advice), and the Student Experience team; and Campus Services, responsible for the University's day-to-day operational environment, including Facilities, Catering, Sport, the Nursery, and the Security and Response Team.

Purpose of the Job: The Disability Adviser post encompasses wide-ranging responsibilities in the support of disabled applicants and students at Bangor University, including identifying strategies to remove barriers to study and ensuring reasonable adjustments are in place within the teaching and learning environment and across the institution as a whole. There are a team of Disability Advisers who maintain and further develop a professional advisory service for students, advising and working with colleagues across the University to promote inclusive provision. Collaboration with academic schools is a key part of the role in order to develop policy and procedures and support the embedding of inclusive practice relating to disabled students.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work in line with a model of support that promotes the independence and resilience of our students in order to best prepare them for their future study or career goals.
• Provide high level case support to disabled students, using specialist professional expertise and experience to assess, formulate, and implement strategies, working closely with academic schools and professional services to co-ordinate the provision of specific support and services to individual students.
• Act as a central point of contact for prospective and current disabled students.
• Provide information and guidance on the provision of support services and facilities.
• Assist applicants during the admissions process; liaise with academic schools, other central University services and external agencies as necessary with regard to the particular needs of individual students and the identification of reasonable adjustments at an early stage.
• Attend departmental and University Open Days as required; organise visits for applicants where necessary.
• Advise individual students on reasonable adjustments and entitlements, and on sources of support; provide information on Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs), referring students to other services as appropriate.
• Lead in at least one specific area relevant to disability support, as agreed with the Inclusivity Manager.
• Assist in the development of relevant literature, policies and procedures.
• Raise awareness of disability-related barriers and inclusive strategies by designing and delivering staff development activities for a wide range of colleagues across the institution.
• Keep and maintain confidential and accurate records in accordance with data protection legislation and the University's quality assurance processes.
• Maintain records and databases, prepare and monitor statistics, and undertake monitoring and evaluation of services as required by the Inclusivity Manager.
• Engage with the supervision of practice as led by the Inclusivity Manager, sharing practice with colleagues and adhering to the requirement of the service's systems, procedures and quality standards.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues as part of a multi-disciplinary team within Student Life, ensuring effective cross-referrals and promoting a holistic approach to student support.
• Maintain membership of appropriate external bodies, e.g. NADP and undertake continuous professional development as appropriate.

Other Duties and Responsibilities: 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:

• Essential: Undergraduate degree or equivalent.
• Desirable: Postgraduate qualification in an area related to disability. Professional qualification in an area related to disability. Teaching qualification.

• Essential: Experience of working with disabled students within post-16 education. An understanding of the specific needs of students with a wide range of impairments, including Autism and physical and sensory impairments. A thorough understanding of the barriers faced by disabled people. An understanding of and commitment to a model of student support that promotes the independence and resilience of our students in order to best prepare them for their future study or career goals. A working knowledge of Disabled Students Allowance. An awareness of the provisions with the Equality Act in respect to disabled students and applicants. Knowledge of curriculum delivery and forms of assessment in order to be able to recommend adjustments.