UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH WALES
PRIFYSGOL DE CYMRU
Disability & Dyslexia Service (DDS)
Specialist Study Skills Tutor x 2 posts (Ref: U008676)
Grade E, *£28,452 - £32,958 per annum pro rata
*appointment will be made to the minimum of the scale
0.7671 (FTE) - 5 days per week x 40 weeks
(NB the position is not available to any prior unsuccessful applicants)
The Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS) is looking to recruit two Specialist Study Skills Tutors. The posts will primarily involve the provision of one to one specialist tutorial support to disabled students registered with the DDS who require support for Specific Learning Difficulties/disabilities and other health conditions.
The post holder will instigate and oversee the development of study skills support via Academic Staff and lead the development of the DDS services provisions through liaison and development work. The post holder will therefore be responsible for working directly with Faculties to underpin the development of their students’ skills. This work will also align with the learning and teaching aims of the Faculties and the University‘s blueprint.
Applicants must have:
· Excellent written and spoken English to a H.E. level. This includes the requirement for excellent spelling, grammar and punctuation.
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to gain credibility and build relationships across the university at all levels; able to inspire students' confidence.
· Excellent IT skills
· An understanding of the legal and equal opportunity issues in HE
· A Degree or HE qualification or equivalent
Applicants will be expected to work flexibly across all campuses.
This position is based at Treforest Campus of the University of South Wales.
The terms and conditions of the post (including grade and salary) will be those of the University of South Wales.
CLOSING DATE: 3rd October 2017
JOB DESCRIPTION
Title: Specialist Study Skills TutorType of Contract: Permanent
Grade: E
Responsible to: Specialist Study Skills Tutor Team Leader
Responsible for: Tutoring and development of students with SpLd’s/disabilities within the Disability & Dyslexia Service (DDS)
Main Purpose of the Job:
Working as part of the Disability & Dyslexia Service (DDS) the Specialist Study Skills Tutors are required to provide one to one specialist tutorial support to disabled students who are registered with the service and have been referred for support. This includes students with Specific Learning Difficulties/disabilities and other health conditions. Support will be provided across all University campuses and the post holder will need to be aware of current relevant legislation and best practice.
The model of delivery of support will also incorporate the delivery of group seminars, workshops, and lectures alongside one to one specialist study skills support. .
The post holder will instigate and oversee the development of study skills support via Academic Staff and lead the development of the DDS services provisions through liaison and development work. The post holder will therefore be responsible for working directly with Faculties to underpin the development of their students’ skills. This work will also align with the learning and teaching aims of the Faculties and the University‘s blueprint.
The Specialist Study Skills Tutors provide tutorial support to students to ensure that disabled students are able to participate fully in University life. Tutorial support is provided in areas such as:
· time management;
· assignment planning
· all aspects of literacy for academic writing (which can include, sentence and paragraph structuring, spelling, punctuation, grammar, vocabulary and critical writing.
· Researching
· Reading and information synthesis
· Recall and memory skills
· Numeracy
The post holder working with the Specialist Study Skills Tutor Team Leader will develop and maintain appropriate learning resources, including online resources, for all key stakeholders (staff, students and franchise partners) to ensure the provision of academic skills and learning development activities within a blended and distance learning approach. They will also have overall specialist responsibility within their area in relation to operational decisions which may impact their team and the DDS in general. Participating in annual planning operations and feeding into the strategic objectives of the DDS.
The Specialist Study Skills Tutor will proactively work with the Specialist Study Skills Tutor Team Leader to ensure that the model of delivery for SpLd and Autistic Spectrum Study Skills support fits into the remit of the newly imposed regulations of the Quality Assurance Framework.
The Specialist Study Skills Tutor will be responsible to the Specialist Study Skills Tutor Team Leader and will deliver specialist tutorial support across all USW sites. Working hours will be fixed and the successful applicant will be required to fully engage in Continuing Professional Development to meet the requirements of the Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) for non medical help.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
1. To provide confidential, one-to-one specialist study skills support to students with SpLd’s/disabilities in line with Disabled students’ support needs in relation to their academic study needs. Which will include areas such as time management, assignment planning and aspects of literacy and numeracy.
2. To manage confidentiality within professional relationships with students, ensuring that highly sensitive information is dealt with appropriately; that case recording is maintained in line with the Student protocol.
3. To work as part of a committed and self-motivated team delivering an innovative, quality study skills support service across campuses in an environment that requires working to a high academic standard.
4. To deliver study skills support to groups of students with and via the Specialist Study Skills Tutors through seminars, workshops, and where appropriate 1:1 tutorials to enhance their academic study skills and understanding of academic conventions at HE level.
5. To underpin work with the Faculties, design and ensure delivery of seminars and workshops to groups of students on specific study skill, academic writing and related topics. While developing appropriate resources to support this work, including the creation of online learning resources, which will take into account differentiation of academic level and skill requirements.
6. To contribute to the strategic direction, development and operational delivery of the Disability & Dyslexia Service (DDS) to meet aims and objectives of working with a diverse student population and type
7. To provide reactive and proactive services to ensure any changes within student experience are reflected in service provision. Thus reviewing approaches, working practices and initiatives and contributing to the development and delivery of DDS services ensuring that these are student, faculty and franchise partner focused and make an active contribution in the performance monitoring of service levels e.g. NSS.
8. To actively contribute to the formulation and delivery of the DDS service operational, action and project plans by contributing knowledge and expertise.
9. To promote awareness of study skills support and mentoring amongst staff and students across the University by the effective use of promotional tools such as online publicity, social media, induction talks to academic and support staff and students at all levels at appropriate times i.e. induction and transition periods.
10. To develop resources to aid in effective adaptation of teaching methods and approach, so as to keep consistency in support across the service.
11. Utilise specialist knowledge and research to contribute to the development and promotion of innovation in student academic skills development, in particular support materials and approaches to skills development through the VLE.
12. Proactively contribute to the construction and implementation of appropriate support mechanisms for the development and continuing quality of service.
13. To remain informed of best practice within the post 16 education sector in relation to support for disabled students and contribute as appropriate to relevant discussions.
14. To manage the assessment of the learning needs of students particularly at transitional stages, to devise strategies to enable students to develop the skills required to progress and complete their academic assessments.
15. . To monitor students’ progress and, where identified and appropriate, refer the student for additional support, such as Student Development and Study Skills Services or the Advice Zone.
16. Regularly review student support requirements with the student, including short, medium and long term goals and discuss possible requests to Specialist Study Skills Tutor Team Leader for additional DSA support when appropriate.
17. To work with the Specialist Study Skills Tutor Team Leader to develop resources to aid in effective adaption of tutor teaching methods and approach, so as to keep consistency in support across the service.
18. To be involved in the robust recruitment and selection of specialist study skills tutors, ensuring all staff have appropriate role specific skills and abilities, as and when required.
19. To liaise with the Specialist Study Skills Tutor Team Leader and all other members of the DDS to ensure the effective and integrated delivery of support.
20. To arrange tutorial times with students and to keep signed records of student contact hours and activities using University systems. Including the completion of relevant documentation pertaining to the specialist Study Skills Tutor role and submit these to the DDS, as required. Including following up with students in relation to non attendance.
21. To keep comprehensive, accurate and up to date records, and utilise all current University systems, including electronic diaries etc. This includes, where it may be requested the preparation and analysis of statistical data, and generation of appropriate reports, analysing data as required.
22. To work in a responsive and positive manner in an environment of change to achieve objectives and targets.
23. Responsible for working autonomously to plan, organise and prioritise workload to best meet targets set and respond to demands on the service. This will involve working with other Specialist Study Skill tutors to re-schedule according to workloads.
24. To complete project-related tasks, such as creating new resources or cross-department group, to timescales whilst maintaining service provision levels.
25. Contribute to reports and presentations as requested by the Specialist Study Skills Tutor Team Leader, Senior Disability Adviser, and DDS Manager.
26. Contribute to the collection and collation of data for service requirements to monitor both student progress and the quality of service provision within a frontline customer focused environment for a variety of stakeholders.
27. A commitment and willingness to learn new skills; to keep up to date developing personal skills and practices to enhance delivery of teaching and learning within HE.
28. To ensure clear and accurate records of communication with staff, students and stakeholders are maintained.
29. Run reports as required and report findings to the Specialist Study Skills Tutor Team Leader.
30. Respond to face-face and telephone enquiries from students, University staff and external partners and keep up to date records.
31. To engage in all aspects of the Specialist Study Skills Tutor Continuing Professional Development programme, and keep up to date with knowledge surrounding SpLd’s and AS. Keeping a CPD folder in order to evidence their CPD as requested and required by the Specialist Study Skills Team Leader.
32. To be able to explain comprehensively, the effects of a student’s SpLd/disability in relation to their study skills. To adapt own tutor styles/teaching methods and approach to that of the learners needs.
33. To embrace change, be receptive to new ideas and to show commitment to own development, whilst supporting others to achieve their potential, working within agreed service boundaries including confidentiality and the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
34. Deliver staff and student SpLd awareness sessions, induction activities and other disability related events or activities as requested by the Specialist Study Skills Tutor Team Leader.
35. To engage in Development and Performance Reviews and meetings when required.
36. Undertake other duties as may be reasonably requested by the Tutor Team Leader/DDS Manager and as are compatible with the grade of the post.
37. To work flexibly across University campuses, in order to meet service requirements.
The nature of the post is such that the post-holder is expected to work flexibly. As services are delivered on all the University’s campuses, the post-holder will need to be able to effectively travel between campuses to meet the needs of the business, and may need to work at any of the University’s campuses, as well as be able and willing to travel on a periodic basis to attend external meetings and events. E.g. UK or National conferences and training courses.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
SKILLS AND ABILITIESEssential / Desirable
· Excellent written and spoken English to a H.E. level. This includes the requirement for excellent spelling, grammar and punctuation.
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to gain credibility and build relationships across the university at all levels; able to inspire students' confidence.
· Excellent time management and organisational skills in order to meet challenging deadlines, and find creative solutions as necessary.
· Excellent academic writing style and ability to produce a high standard of written reports and other materials.
· Excellent ICT skills including:
- Microsoft Outlook for e-mails,
-Diary systems
-Excel,
- Access,
- Internet,
- Other Office programmes (such as PowerPoint and Publisher)
· Ability to interact effectively with students with a range of abilities, and to both reassure students and encourage autonomy.
· Ability to prioritise and manage multidimensional tasks whilst under pressure
· Work under own initiative with a minimum of supervision in order to plan and co-ordinate own day/week’s activities
· A clear understanding of issues relating to disabilities, including SpLd’s and the potential impact on learning for students in higher education
· A clear understanding of issues relating to Autistic Spectrum and Mental Health and the potential impact on learning for students in higher education.
· To be responsible for own workload ensuring that targets are achieved and contribute positively to the wider team through collaborative working. To maintain an awareness of the University’s aims and where your role fits in to this.
· Self-motivated and able to deliver a high level of results, meeting deadlines and being professional at all times.
· Ability to work well in a pressurised frontline environment.
· Able to diagnose a student's difficulties with academic writing / study skills to identify the most appropriate ways to assist.
· Able to use a variety of IT applications to design and produce learning materials.
· Ongoing engagement in new developments in pedagogy and relevant learning support strategies.
· Excellent administration skills to effectively complete required tasks for the role; able to collect and collate data electronically to enable effective reporting
· A flexible approach to working hours and location as required for service delivery across the university. / · Click here to enter text.
KNOWLEDGE
Essential / Desirable
· Comprehensive knowledge of grammar and punctuation, and the ability to apply this to students’ assignments.
· A sound knowledge of Specific Learning Difficulties.
· Excellent knowledge of appropriate teaching strategies for students with specific learning difficulties.
· Ability to identify ways of helping students to build on their learning strengths, whilst maintaining a confidential and professional working relationship.
· A demonstrable understanding of the legal and equal opportunity issues in the HE environment e.g. the Equality Act 2010 Sound understanding of the issues related to pedagogy and academic practice within HE.
· Factors that affect retention
· Knowledge of the theory and recognised practice of successful learning / A working knowledge of current facilitating technology for disabled people.
Familiarity with university facilities, structures and procedures acquired from experience as a staff member or postgraduate student
EXPERIENCE
Essential / Desirable
· Ability to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, dealing with confidential and sensitive issues, with integrity, discretion and impartiality.
· Demonstrable experience of:
-Relevant, independent one to one tutoring
-Working with students who have Specific Learning Difficulties
-Managing competing demands
-Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
· Tutoring in groups or individually in an educational environment, preferably HE level, in academic writing/ study skills.
· Use of e-learning in academic writing and study support / Working with disabled people in a HE environment
Experience of delivering services in HEI/FEI
The ability to effectively present training or development sessions
TRAINING
Essential / Desirable
· A Degree or Higher Education qualification or equivalent
· Professional (full or associate) membership of:
- PATOSS
- BDA
- ADSHE
· - Dyslexia Guild / · Post-graduate diploma in dyslexia / Specific Learning Difficulties.*
(* = Achieved or working towards)
· P.G.C.E.
· NAS recognised course in Autism Awareness
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Essential / Desirable
· Empathic attitude to the requirements of students and disabled people
· A commitment to continuous improvement in own practice and in the wider team
· Ability to maintain own motivation and that of colleagues in a demanding environment
· To hold a strong team ethos and work as part of a close professional team, including projecting of your own professional identity to students and wider university colleagues
· Willingness to travel and operate across University campuses
· Personal integrity and resilience
· Practical and creative approach to problem solving and delivering workable solutions / · Ability to speak Welsh
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