Student Adviser

Student Adviser

Responsible to Head of Student Support you will be advising students on finance, welfare and ensuring access to courses and education.

Responsibilities:

To provide a professional advice, guidance and information service to potential and existing students, particularly those from the Bangladeshi, Somali and other ethnic minorities.

To liaise and work with other staff in student support to develop a unified, integrated and flexible approach to the delivery of student advice and support in particular those working on the Adult Bursary Childcare provision, 16-18 Bursary and the 24+ Adult Learning Loan

To provide students, particularly those from the Bangladeshi, Somali and other ethnic minority communities with advice, information and guidance on a variety of subjects, including, but not limited to, grants, finance, housing, immigration and welfare benefits

To liaise with statutory bodies eg Job Centre Plus, Benefits Agency, Home Office and Local Authorities to represent students at tribunals, hearings etc

To offer advice to potential students, prior to their entry to the College at interview and advice sessions

To initiate and respond to the needs of students and staff by developing group activities as appropriate and by contributing to the tutorial programme

To use advice and guidance skills to identify and assess problems of an emotional nature which may need long term medical or therapeutic help and refer to other professionals or outside agencies

To assist in the creation of effective implementation at admission, enrolment, induction, on-programme and on exit, of student services and other managers on matters relating to student needs

To identify and liaise with appropriate agencies both internally and externally in order to maintain the Student Advisory information resources bank and facilitate the dissemination of information to students

To take part in projects appropriate to the work of student support including group work with tutors and students

To compile and maintain documentation for students on a variety of issues

To produce reports on the work of the student support service for a variety of audiences and to provide statistical date on work of the student advisor service as required

To publicise and promote the work of relevant external education charities and local authorities to students

To keep up-to-date with national, regional and local developments which affect students and the work of the student advisory service eg. legislation surrounding immigration, 24+ Loans, benefits

To liaise with employers, parents, external agencies and local community groups on issues affecting students

To participate in monitoring the performance of the student advisory service through the use of key performance indicators eg. student questionnaires

To assist in forecasting and managing demand for the service using a range of data including Intuition

To help individual students in time of crisis through the College’s hardship fund

To work as part of the student support team, liaising and developing common approaches with other team members, including the Enrichment team, Course and Careers Advisers

Person Specification

A recognised qualification in social work, youth work, advice work or educational and/or relevant experience in advisory work

Experience in IAG and/or group work, or willingness to undertake training in this area

Knowledge and understanding of welfare rights and appropriate regulations and legislation

Knowledge and understanding of agencies nationally, regionally and locally which could support the work of the College

Experience of working in a culturally diverse community, and practical ideas for addressing issues and supporting students from the Bangladeshi, Somali and other ethnic minority communities

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Ability to communicate with range of audiences and to form good working relationships with a wide variety of people

Experience of giving advice and guidance on a one to one basis

An understanding of, and commitment to equal opportunities, and practical ideas for their implementation through the scope of the post

Working arrangements

Hours of work 35 hours per week, all year round. Routine fixed daily start and finish times between 0830 and 2100 by agreement. There is a requirement to work evenings and Saturdays for certain college activities

Alterations in the College’s pattern of working or changes in pattern of demand, the hours of attendance may be varied after consultation with the member of staff concerned

This job description will be reviewed annual to ensure that it is an active description of the responsibilities and duties of the individual post holder and that these responsibilities and duties consistently match the needs of the College.

You must have a DBS within 12 months or on the update service in order to apply for this position.