At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide one-to-one support to university students with Specific Learning Difficulties.
- Company: Join a national Non-Medical Help Provider fighting inequality in education.
- Benefits: Earn £36.48 per hour with flexible working hours and autonomy.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while enjoying a rewarding freelance role.
- Qualifications: Must hold membership in a relevant professional body and have experience supporting SpLD students.
- Other info: Immediate start available at prestigious universities in Southampton.
The predicted salary is between 13 - 16 £ per hour.
Location: Southampton
Salary: £36.48 per hour
Job Type: Freelance
Working at: Prestigious Universities in Southampton
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 provide in-person support to university students. We are currently recruiting Specialist SpLD Study Skills Tutors who are able and willing to deliver face-to-face support on campus. This role cannot be undertaken on a remote or online-only basis. Applicants who are unable to provide in-person support should not apply. To deliver Specialist Study Skills support funded through Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA), tutors must meet the mandatory qualification and professional membership requirements set by the Department for Education. Applications from candidates who do not meet these essential criteria cannot be considered. The tutors we work with are freelancers who value flexible working hours and autonomy over their schedules. Tutors typically meet each student regularly, usually for one to two hours per week, to explore and address the student's individual barriers to learning within their academic context. We are looking for suitable candidates who are available to start immediately.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Provide one-to-one, in-person specialist study skills support to university students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs), helping them to develop strategies to reduce the impact of their disability on academic study.
- Work collaboratively with students to identify needs, set goals, and review progress over time.
- Communicate professionally and effectively with the company and, where appropriate, with university Disability Advisor teams.
- Maintain accurate, secure digital records in line with the company and Department for Education requirements.
- Manage their own timetable and take a proactive approach to supporting student engagement.
About you: We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience supporting individuals with Specific Learning Difficulties (e.g. dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia). This experience does not need to be exclusively with adult learners.
- Has a strong understanding of the demands of academic study at university level.
- Has excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Is able to provide consistent, in-person support at one or more of the specified universities.
Essential requirements: To be eligible for this role, you must meet the Department for Education's criteria for Specialist one-to-one Study Skills and Strategy Support. This includes current membership of one of the following UK professional bodies:
- PATOSS (Full or Associate membership)
- British Dyslexia Association (Professional membership)
- ADSHE (Professional membership)
- Dyslexia Guild (Associate, Member, or Fellow)
Please note: Membership of one of the above professional bodies is an essential and non-negotiable requirement for this role. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider applications from candidates who do not currently hold one of these memberships.
Please send your CV and the following information:
- Which professional body membership you hold.
- Whether you are available for in-person support at one of the two prestigious universities in Southampton or both of these universities.
Candidates with the experience or relevant job titles: Teacher, Special Educational Needs Teacher, SENCO, Dyslexia Tutor, Tutor.
SpLD Study Skills Tutors employer: BluetownOnline
Contact Detail:
BluetownOnline Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SpLD Study Skills Tutors
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the universities in Southampton! Research their specific needs and challenges when it comes to supporting students with SpLDs. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current tutors or university staff on LinkedIn or at local events. Building relationships can give you insider info about the role and might even lead to a recommendation, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for your interview by practising common questions related to SpLD support. Think about real-life examples from your experience that demonstrate your skills and how you’ve helped students overcome their barriers to learning.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love hearing from passionate candidates who want to join our mission of making education accessible for everyone.
We think you need these skills to ace SpLD Study Skills Tutors
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for supporting students shine through. We want to see how much you care about making education accessible and how your experience aligns with our mission at StudySmarter.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of SpLD Study Skills Tutor. Highlight your relevant experience with Specific Learning Difficulties and any qualifications that meet the Department for Education's criteria. We love seeing how your background fits with what we do!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to describe your skills and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about who we are and what we do.
How to prepare for a job interview at BluetownOnline
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs) and the support strategies that work best for them. Familiarise yourself with the requirements set by the Department for Education, as this will show you’re serious about the role and understand what’s expected.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience supporting individuals with SpLDs. Think of specific examples where you’ve made a difference in a student’s academic journey. This will help demonstrate your capability and passion for the role.
✨Be Ready to Communicate
Since communication is key in this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and professionally. You might be asked how you would approach working with students or collaborating with university Disability Advisor teams, so have some ideas ready to share.
✨Flexibility is Key
As a freelance tutor, managing your own timetable is crucial. Be prepared to discuss how you plan to balance your schedule while providing consistent, in-person support. Showing that you can adapt and prioritise will make you stand out!