1. Job Description
Responsible to: Director of Student Opportunity Reports to: Head
of Student Support
Main duties and responsibilities Strategic planning and
implementation
Assist the Head of Student Support in the
development of the University’s student support
strategy with particular reference to disabled students,
inputting knowledge and expertise to help shape plans
going forwards
Ensure the provision of high quality and timely
support, which meets the specific needs of students
Provide professional leadership during a period
of significant change, with the aim of improve the
effectiveness and efficiency of Disabled Students’
Assessment and Support Service (DSAS), in line with
the University-wide approach and procedures
Ensure and enable the Disability Coordinator
and Support Worker teams to work effectively with
academic and professional colleagues in Schools,
Faculties and Services
Maintain awareness of the wider external context
in which the service operates
As a member of the DSAS senior management
team ensure the University meets its duties under the
Equality Act 2010 with respect to disabled students,
fosters a student-centered approach, and encourages
student retention and achievement University-wide
activities
2. Ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities
through effective communication and consistency in
processes and use of systems. Coordinate effective
team working with academic faculties and schools,
other services e.g. accommodation and estates, across
the student education service and with Leeds University
Union with the aim of ensuring students receive a
consistently high standard of support
Contribute to the ongoing development of
corporate processes and systems, ensuring the
interests of disabled students are considered, avoiding
duplication and facilitating University-wide benefit
delivery
Have a broad understanding and knowledge of
all student education service functional areas in order to
lead the delivery of a high quality student service for
disabled students and support for academic colleagues
Represent the University’s interests and develop
effective external networks, with key external agencies
such as National Association of Disability Practitioners,
Higher Education Academy and Equality Challenge Unit
Service activities
Take responsibility for setting and delivering
service standards for the Disability Coordinators,
Support Workers and reception teams
Working with the Disability Coordinators, ensure
the support needs of individual disabled students are
being met, and resolve any difficulties or problems
which emerge. This includes taking the lead on dealing
3. with student complaints
Working with the Support Worker Team
Manager, lead on the review, development and
implementation of a support worker scheme strategy, in
line with the Service and University strategies, vision
and values
Working with Financial Services, review and
manage the University Disabled Student Fund, team
budgets and the Support Worker Scheme financial
processes
To act as the University expert advisor in relation
to one or more areas of disability support e.g. support
for postgraduate research students Line management
Direct line management responsibility for the
Student Education Service staff in the Disability
Coordinator and reception teams and, indirectly,
through line management of the Support Worker Team
Manager, the Support Worker Team
Responsible for effective recruitment,
management and training of student education service
staff within these teams, ensuring appropriate training
and development plans are in place and that skills and
capabilities can meet future requirements
To deputise for the Head of Student Support, as
appropriate, and carry out other duties that are
commensurate with the grade of the post, as required –
including contributing to essential tasks normally carried
out by absent colleagues