training and education
Holidays and Training
Position Title: Disability Adviser
Reports To: DLS Team Leader
Grade: NG6
Location: Central London / Harrow Campus (Requirement to work across all University sites as needed)
Job Purpose
The post holder plays a key role in assessing and providing specialist advice and support to students and prospective students who identify as disabled and/or have specific learning difficulties, working closely with colleagues across the University and externally.
Reporting to the DLS Team Leader, Disability Advisers develop and provide proactive, early intervention specialist support to students facing barriers to study due to impairments, conditions, or specific learning difficulties, while actively promoting disability awareness and inclusion university-wide.
Main Responsibilities and Accountability's
- Support Identification & Assessment: Identify support entitlements for disabled applicants and students via individual consultations and medical/diagnostic evidence reviews. Consult with specialists and advise on reasonable adjustments and alternative assessments.
- Reasonable Adjustments: Create Reasonable Adjustments Forms (RAFs) for University-wide implementation, collaborating with Academic colleagues, Registry, Admissions, and Estates & Facilities in alignment with University policies.
- Funding & Resource Support: Advise on funding options such as Disabled Student's Allowance (DSA) for specialist support (e.g., sign language interpreters, assistive technology). Liaise with external bodies (Student Finance England, DSA Needs Assessors) and arrange university-funded support (note-taking, specialist mentoring, study skills tutoring).
- Casework Management: Prioritise and manage applicant and student casework effectively, ensuring ongoing contact and review of support needs.
- College Advising: Act as College Adviser to an allocated college alongside the college disability tutor, identifying staff training needs to promote disability awareness and university-wide inclusivity.
- Inclusivity Portfolios: Lead initiatives and portfolios to enhance disabled student's experiences beyond Equality Act (2010) requirements.
- Policy & Strategy Development: Contribute to developing University policies/procedures regarding disability, SpLDs, inclusivity, and Equality Act compliance in HE.
- Training & Workshops: Lead and deliver training sessions for students and staff to foster a whole-university approach to inclusion.
- Record Keeping & Compliance: Maintain comprehensive records in compliance with service codes of practice, professional standards, and GDPR.
- Reporting: Provide statistical analysis for annual reports to communicate DLS activities and champion inclusivity.
- Institutional Support: Support core student events, including UoW Open Days, Induction Week, and Career Fairs.
