Welsh Language Development Tutor in Cardiff

Weekly Working Hours: 18.5

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: Not Applicable

Welsh Language: Essential

About the Role

The Open University is the UK's largest university, a world leader in flexible part‑time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. This exciting post enables the postholder to play an active role in the development of opportunities for students to use the Welsh language in their studies for the BA (Hons) Social Work (Wales) at the Open University (OU) in Wales. The OU is committed to meeting the needs of Welsh students, while our commitment to educational opportunity and social justice are encapsulated in our mission statement, in that ‘The Open University is open to people, places, methods and ideas’. The Social Work Programme encourages students and staff to use the Welsh language, whatever their level of ability.

Your role will be to take a lead in ensuring adequate and appropriate support for Welsh speaking students as they study for the social work degree (both academically and in their practice learning settings), focusing on the practice learning modules. You will build on what has already been achieved by supporting students, updating resources and taking a role in staff development to enable tutors and others to provide appropriate support with regard to the Welsh language. You will also work with the social work team in Wales and Milton Keynes to ensure appropriate support with regard to the Welsh Language within a four‑nation UK‑wide perspective. You will also engage with the academic community in Wales and further afield, through collaboration with partners, Social Care Wales, and other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), as well as with the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. You will also contribute to the academic life of the Social Work Department, and will develop your own academic profile.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with the Professional Lead for Social Work (Wales) and other staff to promote and develop opportunities for the use of Welsh in the social work practice modules of the BA (Hons) Social Work (Wales).
• Work with the Student Support Team, Faculty staff, Associate Lecturers and Practice Tutors to identify students whose preferred language is Welsh, and to provide appropriate support.
• As required, and with a particular focus on Welsh medium communication, provide advice and support to students and advise designated members of staff on their progress and support needs.
• Promote and develop students' academic writing skills, including submission of assignments in Welsh.
• Brief and support Associate Lecturers and Practice Tutors with a view to ensuring the quality delivery of the practice learning modules, with particular regard to the promotion of bilingual delivery.
• Assist in the quality assurance of practice learning including supporting the work of Programme Tutors where Welsh medium support is required.
• Advise the Faculty on Welsh medium teaching strategies in the practice learning modules, in the light of feedback from tutors and students.
• Work in partnership with other Social Work programmes in Wales to develop Wales‑wide opportunities to promote the use of Welsh in Social Work education and practice.
• Participate in the social work subject area network of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.
• Undertake marketing and external relations activities to promote the Social Work degree, with a particular emphasis on recruiting Welsh speaking students.
• Seek further external funding for the purposes of developing appropriate support for social work students within the OU and in partnership with other Social Work programmes in Wales.
• Provide regular progress reports to the Professional Lead for Social Work (Wales), the Social Work Programme Delivery Group, and the wider Faculty as appropriate.
• Contribute to the Faculty’s research and scholarship portfolio by developing and implementing a personal research/scholarship plan in accordance with the Faculty’s Research and Scholarship Strategy.
• Represent the Faculty and the Open University in Wales on relevant external committees and groups.
• Assist in the implementation of the Faculty’s academic policies within Wales.
• Undertake other duties within the Open University in Wales as required.

Essential criteria

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in both Welsh and English.
• An ability to promote the Social Work programme to individuals, groups and corporate customers, in both Welsh and English.
• A demonstrable capacity to promote and develop the use of Welsh in the Open University's Social Work programme in Wales.
• A good first degree or post‑graduate qualification in a related subject area and a professional qualification in Social Work.
• Experience and understanding of professional Social Work practice and practice learning in Wales.
• A sound knowledge and understanding of legislation and policy relevant to Social Work practice, and current issues in social work in Wales.
• Knowledge of the regulatory requirements for Social Work education and practice in Wales.
• An ability to contribute to the academic profile of the Faculty and the Social Work team in Wales.
• Commitment to continuing personal development and updating in the field of Social Work.
• An understanding of factors that impact on language choice (Welsh/English) in Higher Education and in Social Work practice.
• An ability to work co‑operatively in teams, and a capacity to undertake relevant initiatives independently including homeworking.
• An ability to network and develop effective working relationships with external organisations, including other Higher Education Institutions and Social Care Wales.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to plan effectively and to prioritise a varied workload.
• A demonstrable ability to support the professional development of colleagues, with particular regard to promoting a bilingual learning environment.
• An ability to write clearly and to deadlines, in both Welsh and English.
• Ability to carry out the role in a way that is consistent with equality legislation and University policies.
• An ability to use information and communication technology for communication and administrative purposes.
• A willingness and ability to travel around Wales and to Milton Keynes, and to work some evenings and weekends.
• Ability to teach and support students fairly and respectfully in line with University policies.

Desirable criteria

• Some experience of teaching adult learners, particularly in the context of distance learning and in a bilingual environment.
• Experience of delivering Social Work education.
• A higher degree and potential to develop a research and scholarship profile.
• Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy or the willingness to work towards an application.

What’s in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Flexible working options are available, including job share, part time, compressed hours or other arrangements. It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. However, attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. Full‑time working based from our Cardiff site is also supported if preferred.

Salary: £47,389 to £56,535 (pro rata for part time hours).