Student Support Officer x2

Salary: £28,293 - £30,178 Per Annum

About us:

Gower College Swansea is one of the largest colleges in Wales with a strong reputation for high quality teaching and learning. We have six campuses across the city with over 4,500 full time learners and 10,000 part time learners. We currently have a turnover of over £50 million making us a major employer in the region with approximately 1,000 staff. At Gower College Swansea we are passionate about investing in our staff and looking after their wellbeing to ensure they feel supported in work and also at home.

The role:

Gower College Swansea is seeking two temporary Student Support Officers to support identified at risk students to ensure that they are retained on their courses and achieve their potential. This is a rewarding role which will require you to identify and mentor at risk learners and refer them to the appropriate support mechanisms. Applicants will have a Mental Health Practitioner degree or equivalent qualification. Experience of working with 14-19 year olds in a mental health environment is required. The role will include providing colleagues with advice on how to work with young people regarding their mental health and making assessments on the best support. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, with the confidence to communicate to different groups of people.

Full time (37 hours per week)
Term time (38 weeks per year)
Fixed term for 1 year
£28,293 - £30,178 per annum
Cross campus

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify at risk learners at the application stage and with the relevant Faculty staff and liaise with those students to mentor and refer them to the appropriate support mechanisms.
• Liaise directly with faculty staff, learners, or external support agencies regarding attendance and retention issues of at risk learners including referral to Careers Advisors, Counsellors or Health Service.
• Develop positive and constructive relationships with students to enhance their personal and social education and enable them to fully participate in college activities.

About you:

• Mental Health Practitioner Degree or Level 4 equivalent qualification.
• Experience of working with 14-19 year olds in a mental health environment.
• Ability to motivate, relate to and enthuse young people.
• Able & willing to travel between all six campuses.

Benefits for you:

• 28 days pro rata annual leave, plus bank holidays, and the college is closed for two weeks over the Christmas period.
• A Local Government Pension Scheme with an average employer contribution of 21% (2023).
• 2 staff well-being days.
• Discounted study opportunities on College programmes.
• Discounted Sport Centre gym membership for £60 per year.

We welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our organisation. Gower College Swansea is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and require registration with the Education Workforce Council for Wales.

Please note that we are expecting a high volume of applicants for this vacancy. If we do, we may close the post before the specified date, therefore an early application is recommended. Appointments will normally be made to the bottom of the salary scale with annual increments on 1st August each year (subject to a start date before 1st February).