At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students with Autism Spectrum Conditions to overcome academic barriers and build confidence.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at Impact Student Partners, empowering students in Higher Education.
- Benefits: Earn £39 per hour, enjoy flexible working, and access professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible face-to-face and online support options available.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives by providing tailored, one-to-one support.
- Qualifications: Degree required; autism training and excellent communication skills essential.
About Impact Student Partners Impact Student Partners is a specialist Non-Medical Help (NMH) provider supporting students in Higher Education through Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).
We work in partnership with universities and colleges across the UK to provide high-quality support for students with mental health conditions, neurodivergence, specific learning differences, long term health conditions, and other disabilities.
Our mission is simple: to empower students to overcome barriers, build confidence, develop independence, and achieve their academic potential.
We believe exceptional support starts with truly understanding the individual.
By taking the time to get to know each student's unique circumstances, strengths, challenges, goals, and preferences, we are able to provide genuinely personalised, one-to-one support that reflects their specific needs.
This tailored approach helps students build sustainable strategies, develop confidence, and achieve meaningful progress throughout their university journey.
About the Role Specialist Autism Mentors support students in Higher Education whose studies are impacted by Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC).
Students may experience barriers relating to organisation, planning, executive functioning, concentration, adapting to change, managing academic workloads, social communication, sensory sensitivities, and navigating the social and academic demands of university life.
We are looking for ASC Mentors who can provide on Campus, face to face support at the University of Salford (and/or surrounding Institutions), as well as remotely.
The purpose of the role is to provide highly specialised, one-to-one support that helps students identify and overcome barriers to learning.
Through a person-centred and strengths-based approach, you will work collaboratively with students to develop practical strategies that improve confidence, independence, engagement, and academic success.
Every student is different, and no two support plans are the same.
A key part of the role involves building a strong professional relationship with students, understanding their individual experiences, learning preferences, strengths, challenges, and aspirations, and adapting your support accordingly.
By providing tailored interventions and personalised strategies, you will empower students to navigate university life with greater confidence and autonomy.
This is not a counselling or therapeutic role.
Instead, you will focus on supporting students to manage the impact of their disability on their studies while encouraging independence, self-advocacy, resilience, and effective problem-solving.
Where appropriate, you may also signpost students to relevant university services and support networks.
- Pay and Benefits
- £39.00 per hour (including £4.22 per hour holiday pay, rolled-up rate), workplace pension scheme, CPD, peer networking and mentoring opportunities and you’re your own dedicated consultant.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Deliver Specialist Autism Mentor sessions in accordance with DSA guidance and Impact Student Partners' quality standards.
- Develop tailored support strategies based on each student's Needs Assessment Report, individual circumstances, strengths, challenges, and agreed outcomes.
- Build positive and effective professional relationships that encourage engagement, confidence, and independence. Support students with:
- Motivation and goal setting.
- Time management, organisation, planning, and prioritising workloads.
- Developing executive functioning skills.
- Managing deadlines and academic responsibilities.
- Creating effective study routines and learning strategies.
- Building confidence and self-advocacy skills.
- Navigating social situations and peer relationships.
- Adapting to change and managing university expectations.
- Understanding and managing sensory and environmental challenges.
- Improving focus, concentration, and engagement.
- Developing independence, resilience, and problem-solving skills.
- Maintain accurate and timely records, including session reports and support documentation.
- Identify and appropriately escalate safeguarding or wellbeing concerns in line with company procedures.
- Represent Impact Student Partners in a professional manner and comply with all company policies and procedures.
- Participate in supervision, training, peer networking sessions, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Essential Requirements Applicants must: Hold a degree qualification.
Have completed recognised adult autism training, including either: - The six National Autistic Society (NAS) online training modules and the National Autistic Society (NAS) Autism and SPELL in Higher Education course; or - The Optimum Student Support training course: Autism and ADHD in
Higher
Education: Recognising and Addressing the Barriers Through Non-Medical Helper (NMH) Mentoring and Study Skills Strategies.
Be able to provide both online and face-to-face support.
Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Be able to work independently while managing their own workload.
Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality at all times.
Be committed to inclusive practice and equal opportunities in education.
Desirable Requirements
- Experience mentoring or supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).
- Experience working within Higher Education or supporting university students.
- Previous mentoring, coaching, teaching, support work, or disability support experience.
- A strong understanding of the barriers autistic students may experience within an academic environment.
- Strong organisational and record-keeping skills.
- The ability to provide empathetic, non-judgemental, and student-centred support.
- Experience delivering support online using virtual platforms.
- A commitment to promoting equal opportunities in education.
Why Join Impact Student Partners?
At Impact Student Partners, we know that effective student support is not about applying a standard approach.
It is about understanding the individual behind the referral.
We are committed to delivering support that is genuinely personalised, taking the time to understand each student's unique strengths, challenges, aspirations, and preferred ways of working.
By building meaningful professional relationships and providing tailored, one-to-one interventions, our Specialist Autism Mentors help students overcome barriers, increase confidence, develop independence, and achieve lasting positive outcomes.
Join Impact Student Partners and help transform students' university experiences through meaningful, personalised support that enables them to thrive at university, realise their strengths, and achieve their ambitions both during their studies and beyond
Specialist Mentor - Autism Spectrum Conditions in Broughton employer: Impact Student Support Partners
Impact Student Partners is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering students with disabilities through tailored support. With a flexible working environment based around Buckinghamshire New University, we offer competitive pay, continuous professional development opportunities, and a strong emphasis on employee well-being and collaboration. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying the benefits of a supportive and dynamic work culture.
Contact Details:
Impact Student Support Partners Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Mentor - Autism Spectrum Conditions in Broughton
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Impact Student Support Partners.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Impact Student Support Partners!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Impact Student Support Partners, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Impact Student Support Partners or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Mentor - Autism Spectrum Conditions in Broughton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Impact Student Support Partners:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Impact Student Support Partners! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Impact Student Support Partners
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
