Student Wellbeing Adviser

Salary: £29,605 to £30,487 with progression to £32,982 per annum, pro rata
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 16 January 2024
The Role
As a member of SHWS, you will report to the Student Wellbeing Adviser Team Manager, under the day-to-day direction of School colleagues. You will work collaboratively with the Head of Student Counselling and Mental Health and a wide range of School colleagues (e.g. the Director of Education, Senior and Personal Tutors, Degree Programme Directors and Professional Support colleagues), to provide a local, comprehensive and professional point of contact for both incoming and registered students who need advice and assistance with health and wellbeing concerns, either from transition to higher education or during progression through study.
This will include, but is not limited to, supporting applicants and students with specific learning difficulties, autism spectrum disorder, long-term health conditions and mental health difficulties. You will provide a comprehensive listening, support, signposting and, when appropriate, a ‘follow-up’ service to ensure suitable support and advice is being provided and acted upon, ensuring that students have the optimum opportunity to fulfil their potential and gain the best experience from their time at university.
Please note this is a permanent part time role for 2.5 days a week (0.5 FTE), working Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon.
Candidates wishing to discuss the post may contact Nicky Cooney, Student Wellbeing Adviser Team Manager, on .
Key Accountabilities

• In line with University and School support protocols, act as a point of contact within the School for students requiring support, referring them to the most appropriate source of help and guidance (both internally and outside of the University) and where appropriate, monitor engagement with referral and sign posting advice
• To monitor the implementation of Student Support Plans provided by Student Health and Wellbeing and support changes needed to such plans accordingly
• To work operationally with colleagues to ensure inclusivity for students with additional support needs and compliance with relevant legislation
• Support Personal and Senior Tutors in ensuring the delivery of a high-quality system of personal tutoring – in accordance with the Personal Tutoring system across the academic unit
• Support colleague wellbeing leads in the identification of school-based colleague training needs relevant to student health and wellbeing and encourage all colleagues, including personal tutors within the academic units, to attend appropriate training events and workshops
• Provide information, guidance and support to all students and act as champion for minoritised and/or potentially vulnerable students, (e.g., disabled students, those from a widening participation background, clearing, minoritised ethnic backgrounds, young carers, LGBTQ+ etc.)
• Work closely with relevant School colleagues to ensure that all students receive the help they need, from transition into University to final degree. Discuss support requirements, facilitating any needed communication with central Student Health and Wellbeing
• As guided by the Student Wellbeing Adviser Team Manager, work co-operatively with other members of the University or external agencies on the creation and delivery of projects promoting the wellbeing of students
• Support the work of the central SHWS by providing information, advice and guidance to all School students and colleagues, on how wellbeing may impact upon academic study, with further signposting to practical support including but not limited to accommodation and financial advice
• Identify and report on trends in student need to the Student Wellbeing Adviser Team Manager and School colleagues in order to inform and develop ongoing effective support for students across the University
• Contribute to the co-ordination and/ or delivery of wellbeing related projects in School (e.g., peer mentoring schemes, weekend open days, induction events, information drop-ins etc.)
• Under the direction of the Student Wellbeing Adviser Team Manager, support students progressing through the Support to Study and Fitness to Study processes
• Attend and support the PEC Committees in decision making, by providing Student Wellbeing advice and knowledge
• Use individual available student data, such areas as PEC submissions, notifications of absences, late submissions of work and overall student engagement with their studies, in order to identify and intervene to support students before concerns escalate
• Under the direction of the Student Wellbeing Adviser Team Manager and relevant School colleagues, regularly report to relevant SHWS managers, School committees/ boards trends in student welfare statistics, issues/ solutions and resource requirements
• Under the direction of School colleagues, support the review and improvement of policies and practices relevant to Student Wellbeing
• To attend regular relevant committees which gather student opinion e.g., Staff Student Committees, Boards of Studies. Reading minutes from such meetings and ensuring any actions related to Student Wellbeing are cohesive and carried out in consultation with the Student Wellbeing Adviser Team Manager
• To attend regular Disability Service meetings to inform best practice, key SHWS developments and School-related initiatives
• To undertake any other projects, activities or tasks commensurate with the grade, as identified by the Student Wellbeing Adviser Team Manager and relevant School colleagues

The Person
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Evidence of relevant professional training and / or experience e.g., Higher Education Provider student support experience, physical and mental health disability support in a higher education setting, university student advice and guidance, welfare, social work, pastoral care
• Experience of working with adults from a diverse background, with mental or physical health disabilities, preferably in a higher education setting
• Demonstrable understanding of how intersectional elements of a student affect their access to and engagement with mental health support
• Ability to disseminate information effectively via a range of media, including speaking to large groups of colleague or students
• Excellent literacy and report writing skills and the ability to write clearly and concisely
• Ability to manage multiple caseloads and maintain GDPR compliant records
• Excellent team skills and the ability to work effectively in many different team environments
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion, whilst understanding the parameters within which such rules must be overturned
• High levels of personal initiative and the ability to make decisions in stressful and difficult situations

Desirable

• Up to date working knowledge of local and national support services, current legislation and guidelines around disability, equality, diversity and inclusion issues, and an understanding of how disability impacts on the student experience

Attributes and Behaviour

• Calm approach to difficult and distressing situations
• Positive, solution focused, proactive can-do attitude, to support activities across all the SHWS teams when needed
• Strong commitment to continually updating knowledge, skills, and experience to provide the best service to students and colleagues
• Creates an environment of trust and respect in which students and colleague can say what they need to without fear
• Understands and values the perspective of key stakeholder groups – student union, students and parents, academics and professional service colleagues, health professionals and managers
• Acts with an in depth understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusivity
• Stays aware of student issues and keeps an active ‘ear open’ for issues before they escalate

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent level qualification plus experience in a similar role or significant vocational experience, demonstrating development through progressively more demanding, relevant roles

Desirable

• Fluent second language

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a silver award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 26581