At a Glance
- Tasks: Support disabled students by providing tailored advice and solutions to enhance their university experience.
- Company: Join a friendly team at the University of Sheffield's Disability and Dyslexia Support Service.
- Benefits: Enjoy 41 days annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience supporting disabled individuals and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 38784 - 47389 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to become a Disability Adviser in the University's Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (DDSS), joining a friendly, committed and experienced team of staff. Using your experience working with disabled people, you will provide a high-quality service to students and applicants. You'll advise them on university support and facilities, while implementing solutions to remove the barriers they face. You will achieve this through 1:1 student work, close liaison with academic schools and external agencies, and ongoing collaboration with DDSS colleagues. You will work with students with a wide range of different support requirements, applying for/studying on courses across the institution.
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Provide individual needs assessment and implement support arrangements for disabled students, monitoring the effectiveness of these on an ongoing basis.
- Provide advice and support to disabled applicants to ensure their effective transition to University study/life.
- Communicate with academic schools on appropriate support for a range of disabled students.
- Liaise effectively with colleagues across Student Health and Wellbeing Support, the wider university and a variety of external agencies to facilitate disabled student support.
- Plan, prioritise and organise in order to manage a complex caseload effectively.
- Efficiently carry out a high volume of administrative duties.
- Support students to apply for Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA).
- Proactively monitor and review processes and procedures to ensure excellent customer service.
- Contribute to team planning and regularly review activity to inform service development.
- Develop and deliver staff training sessions to increase understanding of the barriers faced by disabled students.
- Maintain contemporary knowledge of best practice and legislative developments relating to disability.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification:
- Extensive experience of advising/supporting disabled people with varied support requirements in a Higher Education setting (Essential).
- Comprehensive understanding of the barriers to learning that disabled students can face.
- A sound understanding of disability and equality legislation and awareness of the financial support available to disabled students (Essential).
- Proven ability to efficiently and professionally liaise with colleagues/external organisations (Essential).
- Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal.
- Strong and adaptable IT skills.
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage own time effectively.
- A team player with extensive experience of working collaboratively.
- Ability to maintain professionalism in challenging situations (Essential).
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal with sensitive information appropriately (Essential).
- Experience of supporting people who are Blind/visually impaired (Desirable).
Further Information:
- Grade: 7
- Salary: £38,784 - £47,389 per annum.
- Work arrangement: Full-time; All team members split their working week between home and the office.
- Duration: This is a fixed-term post, providing maternity cover from 1st August 2026 until 31st August 2027.
What we offer:
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata).
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development.
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes.
- A range of generous family-friendly policies.
A DBS check will be needed for this role. Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield.
Disability Adviser in Sheffield employer: Diversity Dashboard
The University of Sheffield is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its staff. As a Disability Adviser, you will benefit from flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and a commitment to professional development, all while making a meaningful impact on the lives of students with disabilities. The university fosters a culture of belonging and respect, ensuring that every employee feels valued and empowered to contribute to the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Disability Adviser in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current Disability Advisers or staff in the DDSS. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the role!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to supporting disabled students. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the job. We want to hear your stories and how you’ve made a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your organisational skills! During the interview, be ready to discuss how you manage complex caseloads. Share specific examples of how you prioritise tasks and ensure effective support for students.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Disability Adviser in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your experience working with disabled individuals, especially in a higher education setting. We want to see how you've made a difference in their lives and what support you've provided.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your skills and experiences, as we appreciate good communication skills in our team.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your statement to reflect the specific criteria mentioned in the job description. Show us how you meet each requirement and why you're the perfect fit for this role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Diversity Dashboard
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the barriers disabled students face in higher education. Brush up on relevant legislation and support options, especially around Disabled Students' Allowances. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience working with disabled individuals, particularly neurodivergent students. Think of specific examples where you've successfully implemented support solutions or improved processes. This will show that you can hit the ground running.
✨Communication is Key
Since you'll be liaising with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Prepare to explain how you would communicate effectively with both students and academic staff about support needs and Learning Support Plans.
✨Be Ready for Scenarios
Expect to tackle some scenario-based questions during the interview. Think about how you would handle complex cases or challenging situations. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to maintain professionalism under pressure.
