Job Title: Student Support and Guidance Tutor

Job title: Student Support and Guidance Tutor

Post number:SS5162

Reports to: Student Support and Guidance Manager

Department:Student Services

Location:Falmer – Westlain House

Grade:5

Purpose of the role

Student Support and Guidance Tutors (SSGTs) enhance student engagement and retention by providing non-judgmental, 1 on 1 guidance and support on issues affecting a student’s ability to succeed. As well as sign-posting to a range of specialist services and working closely with the academic school in which they are based, SSGTs provide pastoral support to students. SSGTs promote their service and boost engagement by running events and talking to groups during the induction programme and throughout the academic year. SSGTs are the primary link between their school and Student Services.

This post supports students of the School of Heath Science, based at the Falmer Campus.

Line management responsibility for: N/A

Main areas of responsibility:

To be proactive in the provision of student support and guidance, and student development within the school in which they are assigned, which complements the delivery of personal academic tutoring and the provision of specialist student support.

To arrange meetings with students who are self-referred or referred by tutors to provide advice and guidance as above with a particular focus on providing support for level 4 students, mature students, disabled students, students coming from care, and student carers, referring on to Student Services or others as appropriate.

To support the school in the monitoring of student attendance and engagement in accordance with procedures within the school to ensure support is offered to students struggling to engage; to monitor data provided by the school, identify students whose study patterns and attendance give cause for concern and to be proactive in investigating the causes with the students concerned.

To track and record data on student issues on the Student Services centralised database, and report to the relevant School Board and Management Group.

To provide proactive, pre-enrolment support and guidance to new students and to support the development of strategies within the school to address other transition points and student engagement.

To work with academic staff to provide a cohesive strategy of enhanced teaching and learning and personal development to students across the school, which takes into account the diversity of students and their needs, including supporting students with disabilities and learning difficulties to ensure early signposting to the Disability and Dyslexia team, offering support to students with Learning Support Plans and ensuring students are aware of centrally available study skills & well-being workshops and on-line materials.

To liaise with the Student Support Guidance Manager and other Student Support and Guidance Tutors across the university sharing specific expertise and good practice, and to liaise with central staff and other student support guidance tutors to ensure the extra-curricular offer complements what is provided to students through their course.

To be proactive during student induction programme, and throughout the academic year in the promotion of the Student Support and Guidance Tutor service to groups of students and staff in order to encourage timely referrals and self-referrals.

To organise extra-curricular activities which seek to enhance student engagement, promote the Student Support and Guidance Tutor Service and /or raise awareness of issues affecting student retention and progression.

To develop a good understanding of the University’s internal support systems and policies for students, including Student Services and the Students’ Union, in order to be able to refer students as necessary, avoid duplication, and protect confidentiality and to disseminate information on Student Services and Student’s Union provision to year groups and individual students as appropriate.

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 /

Thorough understanding of the issues impacting retention and engagement across the full range of students, and the ability to provide appropriate support and guidance
Able to work with students who may be in distress or difficulty by using active listening skills; appreciates and is sensitive to the problems faced by students; and to respect confidentiality where appropriate
Ability to set boundaries for oneself and for the service user.
Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing with students and a range of staff in 1-1 and group situations.
Ability to work proactively and with limited direct supervision, while at the same time recognising when matters need to be escalated
Interpersonal skills necessary to sustain effective working relationships with colleagues across the university.

/ A, I
Qualifications /

An honours degree or a relevant professional qualification or experience (e.g. teaching /counselling)

/ A
Experience /

Substantial experience of working with students with complex issues, and able to handle situations in a sensitive and professional way.
Experience of providing advice and guidance in a customer focused service.
Proven ability to work independently, manage time and prioritise effectively.

/ A, I
Technical/work based skills /

Able to use databases to deal with enquiries and record case notes
Able to use full suite of Microsoft packages

/ A,I
Other requirements /

Understanding the benefits of team work and collaboration and a commitment to contribute in meetings and support events.
Writing year-end reports based on analysis of data extracted from database

/ A, I
Desirable /

Experience of organising extra-curricular activities in order to boost engagement and/or promote a service or raise awareness

/ A, I

Any appointment is generally made at the bottom of the salary range for the grade dependent upon experience and previous salary.
Annual leave entitlements are shown in the table below and increase after 5 years’ service. In addition, to the eight Bank Holidays, there are university discretionary days between Christmas and New Year. All leave, including bank holidays and discretionary days, is pro-rated for part time employees.
This is a part time post for 29.5 hours per week and is permanent.

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/school can be found here Professional Services Departments or here Academic departments (schools and colleges)
Read the University’s 2016 - 2021 Strategy
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Date: 01/2018