At a Glance
- Tasks: Help improve the experiences of disabled students at UWE Bristol through engagement and feedback.
- Company: UWE Bristol, committed to inclusivity and positive change.
- Benefits: Gain paid experience, develop valuable skills, and make a real impact.
- Other info: Flexible hours around your studies, with support available throughout the role.
- Why this job: Be a voice for change and enhance accessibility for fellow students.
- Qualifications: Current UWE student with understanding of disability and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 13.45 - 13.45 £ per hour.
We are looking for two Student Partners to help shape and improve the experiences of disabled students at UWE Bristol. This is a new and exciting opportunity to influence positive change across the University while developing valuable skills and gaining paid experience in a role designed to fit flexibly around your studies.
As a Student Partner, you will play an active role in the University's Disabled Student Commitment (DSC), ensuring student voices are at the heart of decision-making. Working alongside staff and students, you will gather insights, identify barriers, highlight good practice, and contribute to positive change across the University. This is an exciting opportunity to develop skills in communication, engagement, partnership working, facilitation, and project work. We particularly welcome applications from students with lived experience of disability, neurodivergence, long-term health conditions, or mental health conditions. We also welcome applications from students who are passionate about disability inclusion and accessibility.
What you'll gain from the role
- Make a meaningful contribution to improving the experiences of disabled students at UWE Bristol.
- Develop valuable skills in communication, facilitation, engagement, partnership working, project delivery, leadership and employability.
- Gain experience of working collaboratively with professional staff and senior stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Attend training and development sessions to understand the Disabled Student Commitment, the wider context of disability inclusion in higher education, and your role within the project.
- Engage with disabled and neurodivergent students, and students with physical or mental health conditions, to gather feedback, experiences and ideas through a range of activities, including conversations, surveys, workshops and focus groups.
- Encourage involvement in Disabled Student Commitment activities, including the Student Advisory Group.
- Act as a trusted and approachable student representative, creating opportunities for students to share their experiences in a respectful, supportive, and inclusive environment.
- Identify and summarise recurring themes, challenges, and examples of good practice, contributing to reports, presentations and updates for the Disabled Student Commitment.
- Attend and actively contribute to meetings, workshops, and project activities, ensuring that the student perspective is represented and considered in decision-making.
- Work collaboratively with the other Student Partner and the Project Manager to plan engagement activities, share findings, and contribute to project outputs.
- Support the development of communications, resources, and engagement materials that encourage participation from a diverse range of students, including student stories, case studies and videos.
- Support the administration and coordination of engagement activities, meetings and project outputs.
- Maintain appropriate confidentiality when discussing sensitive experiences or personal information shared by students.
- Complete agreed tasks and activities within agreed timescales while balancing the role alongside your academic commitments.
This is a casual contract working on average four hours a week. The majority of the work will be completed in your own time, but attendance will be required at training sessions, meetings and workshops. Efforts will be made to organise these around your teaching timetable.
Skills and Experience
- Current registered student at UWE Bristol.
- Lived experience, knowledge, or a strong understanding of disability, neurodivergence, long-term health conditions, mental health conditions, or barriers to inclusion in higher education.
Skills and Attributes
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently and respectfully with a wide range of students and staff, both in person and online.
- Good listening skills and the ability to handle sensitive conversations with empathy, professionalism, and discretion.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Self‑motivated and organised, with the ability to manage responsibilities, meet deadlines, and work flexibly around study commitments.
- Ability to reflect diverse student perspectives and represent views fairly, including experiences that may differ from your own.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Experience of gathering feedback from students through surveys, focus groups, workshops, events, or informal conversations.
- Experience of representing the views of others, for example through student representative roles, volunteering, societies, campaigns, or community involvement.
- Experience of creating engaging content for different audiences, including written communications, videos, case studies, presentations, social media content, or other engagement materials.
- Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010, disability inclusion, or accessibility in higher education.
Duration
Temporary until April 2027
Hours
Average 4 hours a week within teaching term
Hourly Rate
£13.45 per hour
Location
Remote with occasional visits to UWE Frenchay campus
Additional Information
We recognise that students may have different access requirements and working preferences. Support and reasonable adjustments will be available through the job application/selection process and throughout the role. All those invited to an interview will have the choice to complete it online or in-person, receive the interview questions in advance and can refer to their notes within the interview. Other examples of adjustments may include:
- Application via Microsoft Word or by submitting a video recording, explaining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.
- Extra time for the interview.
- A break within the interview.
- An informal conversation with the Project Manager.
This role is designed to be flexible and accessible, with most activities arranged around study commitments wherever possible.
Email Katie.Carson@uwe.ac.uk to request any of the adjustments above or a conversation about support offered before noon on Wednesday 26 August. If you have any questions please email Katie.Carson@uwe.ac.uk.
The job application closing date is midnight on Monday 31 August.
Student Partner - Disabled Student Commitment (2 positions) employer: The Students' Union at UWE
Join a dynamic and supportive work environment at the Students' Union at UWE, where you will gain invaluable hands-on experience across Marketing, IT, and Accounting functions. Our flexible work arrangements are designed to accommodate your studies, while our commitment to employee growth ensures you develop professional skills that will benefit your future career. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, this role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects in a vibrant Bristol location.
Contact Details:
The Students' Union at UWE Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Student Partner - Disabled Student Commitment (2 positions)
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Dive headfirst into community events and social work fairs in your area. These are great opportunities to connect with potential employers like The Students' Union at UWE, grab some insider info, and showcase your passion for social work. Plus, meeting people face-to-face can really make you stand out!
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Tap into social work networks and online communities, like local charities and organisations. Engaging in discussions or volunteering can help you build a strong reputation and could lead to part-time roles just like the one at The Students' Union at UWE. The connections you make could be the key to landing your next opportunity!
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When approaching part-time roles, be sure to highlight your passion for social issues in conversations and informal chats. Bring your experiences to life through storytelling – this can resonate well with organisations looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference!
✨Keep an Eye on Local Job Boards
Part-time roles in social work might not always be advertised in the usual places. Keep checking local job boards or community centres for openings, and don't hesitate to apply directly through The Students' Union at UWE's website – we love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Student Partner - Disabled Student Commitment (2 positions)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your passion for social work shine through. Talk about why you're drawn to this field and how you've been involved in community service or support roles. We want to see your commitment and the heart you bring to the table!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to spotlight any hands-on experience you have! Whether it's internships, volunteering, or relevant coursework, detail how your past experiences relate to the role at The Students' Union at UWE. We love seeing candidates who have practical skills and a real understanding of social issues.
Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any relevant certifications or training specific to social work (like safeguarding training or counselling qualifications), don’t forget to include these in your CV! These details can set you apart and show us you’re serious about your professional development.
Be Flexible with Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, explain your availability clearly in your application. Let us know when you can start and how many hours you’re looking to work. Being upfront about your schedule will help us see how you fit into the team at The Students' Union at UWE.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Students' Union at UWE
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
In social work, it's all about your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share specific experiences that highlight your passion for helping others, whether that's through volunteering, placements, or personal stories. We want to see that genuine drive during your chat with The Students' Union at UWE.
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You might be quizzed on social work theories or models that inform your practice, like the person-in-environment approach. Brush up on these concepts and be prepared to discuss how you'd apply them in a practical setting. This could be a game changer in your interview for a Student Partner - Disabled Student Commitment (2 positions) at The Students' Union at UWE.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
As you're going for a part-time role, highlight your flexibility and how it would fit with the organisation's needs. Have examples ready that demonstrate your availability for various shifts or urgent situations—that's just gold for a social work role.
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Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with clients or stakeholders. Think of a couple of real-life scenarios you've encountered and articulate your thought process. This will show The Students' Union at UWE that you're ready to hit the ground running in the Student Partner - Disabled Student Commitment (2 positions) role.
