Student Disability & Wellbeing Specialist

The post holder will work closely with the Student Wellbeing Manager and key colleagues to deliver a holistic, whole-university approach to an inclusive student experience. This will include providing one-to-one counselling alongside developing and promoting initiatives that support positive mental health, physical wellness and overall wellbeing across the student population. The role also involves delivering training and guidance to staff, supporting students in distress, and contributing to the wider University’s mental health strategy, policies and action plans.

Based at the London Campus, the post holder will act as an operational lead for student wellbeing and safeguarding, working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders. They will have a strong understanding of disability legislation within Higher Education and will work closely with Disability Services to ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and an inclusive experience for all students. The role also includes leading projects, managing risk, contributing to university-wide initiatives, and supporting the ongoing development and delivery of the University’s People and Student Wellbeing strategy.

The successful candidate should have the following:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
• Postgraduate Diploma (or equivalent) in Counselling
• Membership of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Significant experience of working in a counselling, NHS, educational or similar capacity
• Experience of developing and delivering wellbeing services aligned to the domains of wellbeing/whole university approach.
• Experience of leading on the development and implementation of institution-wide strategies.
• Experience of using data and influencing skills to build support and inspire teams, particularly through periods of significant change, with the ability to provide demonstrable evidence of achievements.
• Experience of providing expert advice and guidance to senior managers and internal/external stakeholders to support decision making.

UWS has had a presence in London since 2015, and our London provision has generated significant interest and seen student numbers grow dramatically over recent years. UWS London Campus, close to one of the world’s biggest financial capitals, is an exciting and vibrant place to work and study offering flexible technology-rich working and learning spaces with panoramic views of Docklands and Canary Wharf.

The University of the West of Scotland is one of Scotland’s largest and most dynamic modern universities. Our reach across the country, together with our London campus, means that UWS is a significant force in global knowledge creation, innovation, and a leading provider of undergraduate, postgraduate and research degree education. Our degrees provide students with a transformational experience; equipping them with highly sought-after graduate skills that set them up for global success in world-leading sectors, industries and businesses.

With cutting-edge courses, modern pedagogy and practical knowledge, we enable our students and staff to experience the joy of learning, teaching, research and innovation, and apply their knowledge for the benefit of others. UWS is officially ranked by Times Higher Education in the top 200 universities worldwide under 50 years old (2024 Young University Rankings).

Our professional services teams are the backbone of UWS, providing robust and innovative solutions to support the vast range of work across learning and teaching, and research and innovation. You will join a supportive and dedicated team, playing a key role in a range of work that will help drive forward our ambition to deliver world-leading research, and graduates who will design, shape and build a new future.

We offer our staff a caring and supportive environment, across five campuses, and a competitive benefits package which includes:

• 24 days of annual leave, plus a further 12 days for public/university holidays
• An additional day’s leave on your birthday
• Defined benefit contribution pension scheme (including death in service benefits upon joining the scheme)
• A flexible approach to working pattern and work-life balance
• Employee discount scheme across 3,500 retailers
• Fitness facilities across our campuses
• Access to a range of health and wellbeing resources, including occupational health, physiotherapy and access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional, career and research development opportunities.

Closing Date: Thursday 2nd July 2026

Interview Date: Thursday 20th June 2026

Please note that the appointment will be made on the first point of the salary scale (unless by exception, where evidence would need to be provided). The University reserves the right to shorten/extend the closing date of any position where a high/low volume of suitable applications are received. Therefore, if you are interested in this role, an early application would be encouraged.

You can find out more about how the University uses your personal data as part of the recruitment process by looking at the UWS HR Applicant Privacy Notice. UWS are committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant. UWS is committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups. UWS is a “Disability Confident” employer. University of the West of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity, no. SC002520.