Disability Practitioner

University Health and Wellbeing is seeking to appoint a highly qualified candidate to the role of Disability Practitioner. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual to join the disability team, providing specialist professional advice and guidance to students, applicants, and colleagues, and working creatively to remove barriers for disabled students. The aim is to raise awareness and promote a positive, respectful and inclusive culture to enable access, progress and retention for disabled students.

University Health and Wellbeing provide information, advice and guidance on a wide range of support issues to enable students to maximise their potential whilst at university. The service is free, confidential and available to all students.

Key details – The role is campus based, with opportunities for flexible hybrid working depending on service needs. Fixed working hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am–5 pm.

We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to any applicant meeting the essential criteria for the role.

Key Accountabilities

• Act as a central point of contact for future and current disabled students, including those with long‑term mental health conditions.
• Provide advice and information to students and key stakeholders on the provision of support services and facilities within and external to the university.
• Manage a varied, complex and sensitive caseload of future and current disabled students, often working with them over a long period of time.
• Identify and respond to risk and refer appropriately to internal and/or external services.
• Apply knowledge and understanding of the additional mental health vulnerabilities of those from minority or marginalised backgrounds and the action required to support them effectively.
• Offer a blend of individual present‑in‑person and digital meetings to identify relevant support and adjustments, and facilitate communication with academic schools and other stakeholders to resolve barriers.
• Provide advice, guidance and information, including advice on Disabled Students Allowances.
• Undertake assessments of student needs and deliver one‑to‑one or small group interventions to help students develop effective strategies that support healthy behaviours and positive engagement with study.
• Proactively liaise with colleagues within the Examinations Office to implement additional examination arrangements for disabled students.
• When directed, plan, coordinate and participate in staff development activities.
• Facilitate improvements in provision for disabled students by holding a knowledge‑lead responsibility in a wide range of settings, keeping abreast of issues affecting disabled students and participation within various working groups.
• Maintain accurate record keeping in a timely fashion, adhering to the service policy and data protection requirements.
• Contribute to the evaluation of the impact of support provided to students.
• With support from the line manager, undertake regular personal training and continuing professional development to remain updated on legislation and research in disability‑related issues.
• Keep abreast of internal and external developments that may impact on support for disabled students, including government strategy and sector best‑practice initiatives.
• Adhere to and comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Laws and the university’s data protection policies.
• Act as a consultant, and at times trainer, to university staff to support them in working with disabled students and those with long‑term mental health conditions.
• Collaborate with external bodies and internal colleagues to assist in providing adequate support for disabled students, including long‑term mental health conditions, and track referrals to other agencies as appropriate.
• Participate in promoting the Student Health and Wellbeing activity, open days, receptions, Welcome Week, which may occasionally require out‑of‑hours work such as evenings and weekends.

The Person (Essential)

• Knowledge of and familiarity with the application of relevant legislation and its implications in an HE setting.
• Understanding of the effects of a range of mental health difficulties, and disabilities on individuals, families, friends, staff and potential impact on student university experience.
• Experience and/or training in the application of cross‑cultural mental health support.
• Capacity to manage a highly sensitive caseload and work collaboratively with others to create effective performance within a team.
• Evidence of knowledge of the principles of inclusivity, diversity and equal opportunities.
• Ability to interpret and apply knowledge of policies and procedures.
• Evidenced‑based advice and guidance skills.
• Highly flexible working style.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to exercise initiative and judgement in the appropriate management of student support and the ability to work independently.
• Highly competent IT skills: Word, Excel, Email, Internet, Databases.
• Ability to manage time and resources effectively by prioritising and organising a high volume, complex and varied workload.
• Experience of working with groups.
• Presentation and/or training skills and experience delivering to a diverse audience.

Attributes and Behaviour

• Takes the initiative to ensure future success of the university and area by presenting new ideas and approaches.
• Accepts the reality and requirements of change as part of achieving organisational goals.
• Is supportive of others during change.
• Anticipates change and prepares for it; accepts and runs with it.
• Establishes effective management control systems.
• Effective organising and managing of complex workload.
• Uses own and others’ time effectively.
• Plans workload and tasks in a systematic way.
• Sets own priorities in conjunction with university, team and area objectives.
• Considers large amounts of complex information quickly and identifies key issues.
• Recognises urgency and takes decisive action when required.
• Confidently deals with a broad range of information.

Qualifications

• A recognised degree or equivalent qualification and/or experience.
• A relevant professional qualification such as Advice and Guidance, Registered Nurse in Mental Health / Social Work / Occupational Therapist, or autism practice, etc.

Newcastle University is a global university where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to being a fully inclusive university and are an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and actively recruit, support and retain colleagues from all backgrounds.

We hold a Gold Athena Swan award for gender equality and a Race Equality Charter Bronze award for tackling race inequality in higher education. We are a Disability Confident employer and offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.