Person Specification and Key Responsibilities

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in disability support, student services, education, social care, or a related field.
• Good understanding of disability and the barriers disabled students may encounter within higher education.
• Knowledge of reasonable adjustments, the Equality Act 2010, and Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) processes.
• Understanding of confidentiality, data protection, and appropriate information-sharing practices.

Experience

• Experience providing advice, guidance, or support to students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or specific learning difficulties.
• Experience supporting students through the Disabled Students' Allowance application process.
• Experience assessing individual needs and identifying appropriate support and reasonable adjustments.
• Experience managing a caseload and maintaining accurate records.
• Experience working collaboratively with colleagues from a range of professional disciplines.
• Experience handling sensitive and complex situations with discretion, professionalism, and empathy.

Job Purpose

To provide specialist advice, guidance, and practical support to disabled students, ensuring equitable access to learning, assessment, and the wider student experience. The postholder will support current and prospective students, assess individual support needs, and develop tailored support plans that identify, implement, and review reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010.

The role requires a proactive, student-centred approach and close collaboration with students, academic colleagues, professional service teams, and external partners. The postholder will contribute to the delivery of high-quality disability support services and work as part of a small team committed to promoting student wellbeing, inclusion, and success.

Key Responsibilities

Student Advice and Support

• Provide confidential and professional advice and guidance to students with disabilities and long-term health conditions.
• Meet with students to assess the impact of their disability or condition on their studies and identify appropriate support measures and reasonable adjustments.
• Develop, implement, and review individual student support plans in partnership with students.
• Support students to understand available services, support arrangements, and their responsibilities in relation to their studies.
• Provide information, advice, and signposting to internal and external services where additional support may be required.
• Monitor and review support arrangements, responding to changing circumstances and emerging needs.
• Offer advice and information to prospective students and their parents or carers during recruitment and outreach events.
• Provide pre-entry guidance to prospective disabled students to facilitate a positive transition into higher education.

Reasonable Adjustments

• Assess requests for reasonable adjustments in accordance with relevant legislation, institutional policies, and professional guidance.
• Liaise with academic and professional services colleagues to support the implementation of agreed adjustments.
• Advise colleagues on the practical application of reasonable adjustments while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
• Escalate complex or high-risk cases through appropriate management channels.

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) Support

• Provide advice and practical support to students applying for Disabled Students' Allowance, including guidance on eligibility, evidence requirements, and application procedures.
• Review DSA Needs Assessment Reports and advise students on accessing and implementing recommended support.
• Liaise with DSA assessment centres, funding bodies, and relevant colleagues, with student consent, to facilitate support arrangements.
• Monitor DSA applications and implementation of recommended support, addressing delays or barriers where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate records of DSA applications, recommendations, and associated support arrangements.

Service Delivery and Administration

• Manage an allocated caseload effectively, prioritising work according to student need and risk.
• Respond to enquiries and referrals within agreed service standards and timescales.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to monitoring and reporting on disability support activity.
• Identify recurring barriers, emerging issues, or unmet needs and raise these through appropriate channels.
• Ensure all student information is handled sensitively and in compliance with confidentiality, data protection, and information governance requirements.
• Contribute to service evaluation, development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

General Responsibilities

• Work in accordance with organisational policies, procedures, and values.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues and contribute to the day-to-day operation of student support and wellbeing services.
• Attend and contribute to team meetings, case discussions, and service development activities.
• Comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including the Equality Act 2010 and UK GDPR.
• Support key student-focused activities such as induction, welcome events, open days, graduation, and other institutional events.
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in all aspects of the role.
• Maintain current professional knowledge and awareness of developments in disability support and inclusive practice within higher education.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the level and nature of the role.