The Role
Part‑time, three days a week, on campus; 2‑year fixed‑term contract.
As a Student Disability Advisor you will join our Student Support Team to provide inclusive support to students with disabilities across the university.
Responsibilities include:
- Create and implement tailored support plans for students with disabilities and ensure reasonable adjustments are upheld.
- Hold a caseload of students with diverse and often complex needs.
- Provide early intervention for engagement issues and concerns, working alongside relevant staff and faculty.
- Provide training and guidance to faculty and staff on disability policies and best practice.
- Support students through internal and external processes such as Disabled Students’ Allowance, diagnosis, extenuating circumstances, fitness to study, and related procedures.
- Act as an active member of institutional panels (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Student Voice Committee, Academic Decision‑Making Committee).
- Advocate and provide subject‑matter expertise across the institution.
Key Responsibilities
Student Support (Disability and General)
- Create, implement, and review tailored support plans for students with disabilities, ensuring reasonable adjustments are identified, communicated, and upheld.
- Manage a caseload of students with diverse and often complex needs, providing ongoing guidance, practical support, and advocacy.
- Undertake initial screening for specific learning differences, analyse this data and refer on for full diagnostic assessment where appropriate.
- Offer general study support to students, one‑to‑one and group support, such as tailored sessions around time management, project planning, accountability and more.
- Provide early intervention where there are concerns around student engagement, wellbeing, or academic progression, working collaboratively with faculty and professional services analysing engagement data.
- Offer advice and training to academic, professional staff and students on disability legislation, institutional policy, and inclusive best practice.
- Advise and uphold the Equality Act and Disability Law.
- Lead on retake support during term time and over the holidays, ensuring clear communication to students and regular check‑ins to help them meet their academic goals.
- Support students through internal and external processes, including (but not limited to) Disabled Students’ Allowance, pursuing a diagnosis, Extenuating Circumstances, Fitness to Study, and related procedures.
- Act as a key point of contact for disability‑related enquiries, ensuring a compassionate, student‑centred approach at all times, including onboarding for prospective students.
- Advise and collaborate with the Head of coaching, managing student issues and conflicts appropriately.
- Contribute actively to institutional panels and committees, such as the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Student Voice Committee and the Academic Decision‑Making Committee, advocating for student needs and informing inclusive strategy.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of policies, processes, and services as the university grows and evolves, acting as an advisor to the institution on best practices.
Safeguarding
- Act as a designated safeguarding lead for the institution, handling safeguarding cases from their first report through to a final resolution, ensuring student safety.
- Respond empathetically to distressed students, managing de‑escalation and immediate planning.
- Identify and escape safeguarding concerns in line with LIS policy.
- Act as a point of contact for student disclosures and coordinate support with external services where appropriate.
- Work within a trauma‑informed, anti‑oppressive, and culturally sensitive practice.
Collaboration & Student Experience
- Work closely with academic, operational, and student‑facing colleagues to coordinate appropriate support.
- Contribute to the formation and running of group workshops, community‑building activities, induction events, and proactive wellbeing initiatives.
- Support communication and reasonable adjustments between students, faculty, and support teams.
Administration & Service Development
- Maintain accurate, confidential records in line with data protection requirements and professional standards.
- Support data gathering, analysis, and service evaluation.
- Contribute to wider projects, continuous improvement, and service evolution throughout the academic year.
Essential Criteria
- Significant experience supporting students or individuals with disabilities, neurodivergence, or long‑term health conditions in an education, support, or advisory setting.
- Significant experience within a higher education setting conducting needs assessments, creating tailored support plans and implementing reasonable adjustments.
- Strong experience supporting talented neurodivergent individuals (autism, ADHD, SpLDs, sensory/processing differences), including coaching and practical strategies.
- Experience conducting 1:1 sessions.
- Qualifications in one or more of these coaching, complex mental health, neurodiversity or disability support or specialist coaching qualifications for neurodivergent communities.
- Strong working knowledge of disability legislation and disability advocacy (e.g. Equality Act 2010).
- Knowledge of student accessibility barriers and inclusive learning practices, including alternative assessments.
- Experience conducting wellbeing assessments, risk evaluations, and crisis management with complex/high‑risk cases.
- Experience advising and supporting students through higher education processes such as extenuating circumstances, learning plans and fitness to study.
- Proven ability to manage a varied caseload, including students with complex or overlapping needs.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with students and staff.
- Experience providing guidance, advocacy, or casework support through formal processes or panels.
- Ability to remain calm, grounded, and professional when working under pressure or with sensitive and distressing situations.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, including accurate record keeping and follow‑up.
- Confident IT skills, including Microsoft Teams and Office.
- Commitment to inclusive, evidence‑based, and student‑centred practice.
- Safeguarding Training and experience handling complex cases.
- Willingness to work flexibly and adapt to change in a developing and innovative institutional environment.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience supporting students through DSA applications and liaising with external providers.
- Training or professional qualification related to disability support, mental health, counselling, social work, or a related field.
- Experience delivering training or workshops to staff or students.
- Experience running group sessions focusing on study and learning skill support for students.
- Knowledge of trauma‑informed practice and/or intersectional approaches to student support.
- Experience contributing to institutional policy development or committee work related to EDI or student wellbeing.
- Experience supporting mature learners, working professionals, parents/carers, underrepresented communities, or those balancing work and study.
- Experience designing or delivering neurodiversity support workshops.
- Familiarity with tools such as Notion and student record systems.
Personal Attributes
- Empathetic, compassionate, and student focused.
- Confident working autonomously while contributing positively to a small, collaborative team.
- Reflective, open‑minded, and responsive to feedback and change.
- Passionate about empowering students and removing barriers to success.
Working Pattern & Environment
- Three days per week – part time on a 2‑year fixed‑term contract.
- 3 days per week on campus during term time, working either 9 am – 5 pm or 10 am – 6 pm.
- Hybrid working from home during student holidays is allowed.
- Occasional evening or weekend work for student events may be required.
Our Commitment to Inclusion, Equity & Belonging
- We particularly welcome applications from candidates who are:
- Black, Asian, or from other ethnic diverse communities
- LGBTQIA+ or gender non‑conforming
- Neurodivergent thinking patterns
- We recognise the value of lived experience. The appointment will be made on merit.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
- An enhanced DBS disclosure.
- Adherence to all safeguarding and conduct policies.
- A commitment to ethical, respectful, trauma‑informed practice towards all.
Application Information
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; LIS is unable to sponsor visa applications.
