Job title:Academic Support Worker 2

Post number:ASW2casual

Reports to:Disability Support Services Manager

Department:Student Services, Disability & Dyslexia Team (D&DT)

Location:Variable

Grade:4, point 17

Purpose of the role

To provide practical support to disabled students on a 121 basis in order to ensure that they have access to the university’s Teaching and Learning environment. The ASW2 role is designed to encompass the Manual Notetaker, Examination Support Worker, Reader and Scribe roles as outlined within the national framework for Non-Medical Helpers (

Line management responsibility for: n/a

Main areas of responsibility:

  • To provide practical and mainly physical support for a disabled student in any educational setting (including the classroom, within placements, clinics and on field trips etc.) inaccessible to them due to their disability.
  • To provide note-taking support or to act as a Reader or Scribe for students within a teaching or examination setting
  • To take on the role of delegated invigilator when supporting students within examination settings
  • To liaise with appropriate staff (including the Disability & Dyslexia Team and Academic School staff) regarding students’ support and to keep accurate support records.

General responsibilities

These are standard to all University of Brighton job descriptions.

  • To undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and character of work as may be reasonably required, including specific duties of a similar or lesser grade.
  • To adhere to the University’s Equality and Diversity Policy in all activities, and to actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible.
  • To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
  • To work in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

The person specification focuses on the knowledge, qualifications, experience and skills (both general and technical) required to undertake the role effectively. Please ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria. You will be assessed by your completed application form (A), at interview (I) and in some instances through an exercise (E).

Essential criteria / A, I, E
Knowledge /
  • To have the ability to understand about teaching and assessment on undergraduate degree courses
  • Able to understand and interpret concisely and accurately, in writing, new terminology and abstract concepts, in order to convey the content of lectures, seminars, etc. to the student
  • Understanding of the principle of Equal Opportunities
/ A, I
A, I, E
A, I
Qualifications /
  • GCSE English Language grade C or above
  • Experience of having studied at Degree level to second year or above.
/ A
A
Experience /
  • Experience of following instructions and of relaying information clearly and concisely.
/ A, I
Managing people /
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and a professional working relationship with students, university colleagues, staff in placement settings, etc.
  • Understanding of own boundaries and limitations and when to refer more complex situations to D&DT (e.g. where there is an ongoing issue regarding a student’s access to the curriculum).
  • Meets objectives on own initiative and demonstrates a commitment to personal development
/ A, I
A, I
A, I
Technical/work based skills /
  • Able to take notes by hand quickly and accurately with neat, legible handwriting, and/or electronically with fast, accurate keyboard skills.
  • Ability to solve straightforward day-to-day problems
  • Able to develop means of successfully completing tasks with student
/ I, E
A, I
A, I
Other requirements /
  • The post-holder must be able to undertake the physical requirements of the job, which can include lifting and carrying when required according to Health and Safety Guidelines.
/ A, I
Desirable /
  • Holds a formal note-taking qualification
  • Experience of providing support to disabled people.
/ A
A, I
  • Any appointment is generally made at the bottom of the salary range for the grade dependent upon experience and previous salary.
  • This is a casual role as student requirements for 121 support vary throughout the academic year and between academic cycles.
  • Annual leave accrues for casual staff based on the entitlements shown in the table below.

Grades / Basic entitlement per year / Grades / After 5 years’ service
1-3 / 23 days / 1-3 / 28 days
4-7 / 25 days / 4-7 / 30 days
8-9 / 27 days / 8-9 / 30 days
  • More information about the department can be found hereProfessional Services Departments.
  • Read the University’s 2016 - 2021 Strategy
  • The University has an attractive range of benefits and you can find more information about them on our website
  • The role will require a DBS (criminal records) check

Date: January 2017