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1352039
STUDY NEEDS ASSESSOR
STUDENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
FRENCHAY CAMPUS
FURTHER PARTICULARS
1. INTRODUCTION
The University of the West of England (UWE) is one of Britain's most enterprising universities;
it has a successful record in co-creating new ideas and new solutions to deliver innovative
futures.
UWE works closely with business and industry to ensure that teaching and research have
direct relevance to society and the environment. We also pride ourselves on providing a
valued role for all students and staff members within UWE’s diverse and welcoming
community.
From its origins as the Merchant Venturers’ College in 1595, UWE is now one of Britain’s most
popular universities. Over the years UWE has continued to develop its academic provision to
grow and transform itself to meet the demands of modern day students and higher education
teaching.
UWE has an annual budget of £220 million, and it is the largest provider of higher education in
the south west of England. UWE also has an expanding European and international profile.
The University has a history of providing high quality education and training to students. In
parallel with traditional values of academic excellence, the University is committed to using
academic knowledge and skills to find practical solutions to problems. UWE’s researchers
make a significant contribution to advances in industry, commerce, public services and the
professions, both nationally and internationally.
UWE students, and the knowledge and experience they gain, are vital to future economic
prosperity. The University aims to equip students for their role in the economy by putting a
fundamental value on work placements, part-time jobs and volunteering opportunities. Strong
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links with employers help to keep UWE’s courses relevant and up to date, and ensure that its
graduates are highly sought after in the job market because they have the confidence, skills,
up-to-date knowledge and work experience to be attractive to employers.
The University is building up a number of partnerships with further education colleges,
collectively known as the UWE Federation. The University and the colleges have developed a
range of courses to give as many people as possible the chance to study university-level
courses at their local college, with opportunities for progression to UWE programmes. Many of
the courses have been developed in collaboration with local employers to develop the skills
and knowledge that are in demand in the region.
2. UNIVERSITY INFORMATION
SIZE AND LOCATION
With over 30,000 students and 3,491 staff, UWE is the largest university in the south west of
England, and one of the largest employers in the Bristol area.
Around half of UWE’s staff are engaged in teaching, research, knowledge exchange,
consultancy and other academic-related activities. The remaining staff members provide a
variety of professional services ranging from marketing to finance, and from international
development to human resources. These staff members also support the development and
maintenance of all of the University’s campuses.
The investment in teaching excellence is matched by a tremendous investment in facilities and
infrastructure.
UWE has four main campuses. Around 60% of our students are based at Frenchay campus,
which is on the north-eastern outskirts of Bristol and close to the M4, M5, M32 motorways with
easy access to Bristol Parkway station. UWE’s other main campuses are at Bower Ashton, St
Matthias and Glenside.
Hartpury College, an Associate School of the University, is based four miles north of
Gloucester. There is also a UWE Education Centre for Health and Social Care in Gloucester.
UWE is currently developing a new campus site which will double the size of our Frenchay
campus. The new site will provide a stimulating, green, pleasant, healthy, flexible and
sustainable environment which will set new standards of academic provision for the 21 st
century. The new campus will provide contemporary facilities and improved infrastructure,
including top quality accommodation, academic, sports, social and cultural facilities.
Included in the new campus masterplan is a ground-breaking agreement with Bristol Rovers
Football Club to build a new football stadium. Costing £40m, the 20,000 seat stadium will
include a club gym for student and community use, an all-weather jogging track, rooms for
student club activities and teaching space, and a banqueting suite and venue space.
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In recent years, UWE has completed an £82 million student village (housing 2,000 students)
opened a state-of-the-art sports centre, launched a new conference and exhibition centre, and
opened a £700,000 nursery facility for staff and students.
UWE BRISTOL STRATEGY 2020
ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE, INSPIRING PEOPLE, TRANSFORMING FUTURES
We have set ourselves the ambition of being known nationally and internationally as the best
university for:

Professionally recognised and practice-oriented programmes, which contribute to an
outstanding learning experience and generate excellent graduate employment
opportunities and outcomes for all our students.

Connecting and working with our local and regional economy, businesses and
communities and international partners to advance knowledge, and to advance the
health, sustainability and prosperity for our locality and region.

Being digitally advanced, agile and responsive in the way we work, embracing and
leading change to create new sustainable opportunities.

Being inclusive and global in outlook and approach.
Our strategy sets out the priorities and enablers that will help us to realise our ambitions for
2020.
FACULTIES AND SERVICES
The University’s academic provision is delivered through four faculties:




Arts, Creative Industries and Education
Business and Law
Environment and Technology
Health and Life Sciences
The University also has two associate faculties - Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, and the
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
The faculties are supported by the following central services:
Admissions and International Development
Facilities
Human Resources
Library Services
Research, Business and Innovation
Corporate and Academic Services
Financial Services
IT Services
Marketing and Communications
Student and Partnership Services
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3. FACULTY/SERVICE INFORMATION
THE STUDENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
The Student Services Department (SSD) works in close partnership with the faculties to
provide comprehensive support services for both undergraduate and postgraduate students
across the University. SSD’s aim is to provide an effective, efficient and seamless service to
students, applicants, general enquirers, teachers, LEAs, careers advisers, University staff and
employers. To this end, SSD is strongly committed to professional development and to
supporting staff in updating and developing their skills and knowledge.
The main SSD offices are at Frenchay, but there is dedicated accommodation for students to
see SSD staff at all of the other campuses.
SSD consists of a number of specialist services:
Student Services
Department
Employability &
Enterprise
Professional
Practice
Office
Career Coaching
Services
Employer
Partnership Services
Student Support &
Wellbeing
Advice & Enquiries
Student Advice &
Enquiry Service
Student Advice &
Welfare Service
Student Enrichment
Services
Access West of
England Needs
Assessment
Wellbeing Service
(All mental health)
Central Admin
Disability Service
GP Surgery
NHS
Careers Consultancy
Services
There are over 300 members of staff across the sections of the department. Staff within a
section work closely together as a team, although all of the sections work collaboratively and
support each other at busy times.
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4. POST INFORMATION
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title
Grade
Faculty/Service
Accountable to
Accountable for
Post no
Study Needs Assessor
F
Student Services – Access West of England
Head of Needs Assessments and Dyslexia/SpLD
n/a
70010418
Job purpose:
To ensure delivery of a professional service through provision of
specialist study needs assessments for disabled students in
receipt of the Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) and
contribution to development and on-going work of the
assessment centre.
Duties and responsibilities
1 To be responsible for provision of specialist advice and support to students, staff
in faculties, services and to customers in relation to DSAs, study needs
assessments, disability support and reasonable adjustments.
2 To develop and deliver complex administrative support services.
3 To contribute to the process of quality assuring study needs assessment reports
including the provision of constructive feedback to other Study Needs Assessors.
4 To carry out assessment and analysis of issues and problems, using specialist
knowledge to identify and recommend appropriate solutions.
5 To draft study needs assessment reports, prepare and deliver briefings, training
and presentations as required.
6 To be responsible for income generation for the assessment centre by meeting
the target of 120 study needs assessments per year.
7 To be fully committed to continuing professional development by keeping abreast
of the latest developments in assistive technology for disabled students and
producing a professional portfolio.
8 To build and maintain relationships with contacts in other services, faculties or
external bodies including attending internal and external meetings to ensure that
service issues are appropriately represented and reported.
9 To support other service staff in the provision of advice and guidance through
provision of training and policy interpretation.
10 To act as a senior member of the team, supporting the team to meet its
objectives and timescales and to support the induction and delivery of training to
staff in the team.
11 To comply with the University’s equal opportunities policy, and use this role to
promote equal opportunity wherever possible.
12 To take reasonable care of your own health and safety and comply with rules and
guidance relating to health and safety matter.
13 Any other reasonable duties that fall within the scope of the post, as allocated by
the line manager, following consultation with the postholder.
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Person specification
Leadership and motivation
Demonstrates integrity, fairness, equality and
consistency when working with colleagues in a team.
Provides guidance, constructive feedback and support
to motivate colleagues.
Planning & organising to
Is able to plan and co-ordinate work appropriately to
achieve results
make the best use of resources and to achieve targets.
Communicates and monitors achievement against
plans.
Commercial awareness
Identifies innovative ways in which quality of service can
be improved and ideas for reducing costs and for
efficiency improvements.
Delivering excellent service Delivers excellent customer service, suggests
improvements, and solves customer problems.
Continuous improvement,
Has a ‘can do’ attitude and fosters this amongst
innovation and change
colleagues/team members. Respond positively to
changing situations.
Communicating and
Has highly effective communication skills. Establishes
influencing
positive and effective working relationships by meeting
regularly with colleagues, encouraging feedback, and
through setting up effective networks across the
Department/University.
The ability to develop
Demonstrates active management of personal and
yourself and others
professional development. Is able to develop and coach
others to possess necessary knowledge, skills and
experience to reach their full potential.
Teamwork and
Encourages the team to understand the needs of others
collaboration
and the part they play in the University as a whole.
Ensures integration and co-operation between teams
and the sharing of knowledge and good practice.
Skills/Experience
Experience of providing complex advice to students
regarding study strategies, assistive technology,
disability support and reasonable adjustments within the
learning and teaching context.
Experience of complex casework and/or assessing the
study needs of disabled students.
Good organisational skills and can demonstrate broad
based administrative experience in a professional or
specialist service in a large complex organisation. E.g.
Higher Education.
Excellent IT skills with experience of email, MS Office
including Word, PowerPoint, Excel to expert level.
Experience of work with complex data base systems
and of extracting, analysing and interpreting data to
produce reports and presenting information to others.
Knowledge of and an ability to demonstrate a range of
assistive technologies.
Sufficient resilience to cope with difficult interpersonal
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situations
Sufficient self confidence to communicate and negotiate
effectively in a wide range of interpersonal situations.
Able to work within confidentiality guidelines and with
discretion.
Qualifications
First degree or can demonstrate equivalent experience;
evidence of CPD.
Special conditions
This post requires an enhanced DBS clearance certificate.
The post holder may be required to work at other UWE sites, prior notice will be given
Local restrictions apply regarding leave during term time.
Flexibility regarding working hours is required, and the post holder will occasionally be
required to work at evenings and weekends with reasonable notice.
Acceptance
Signed (job holder)
Please print name
Date
This post has been identified with the following risks, for further details please discuss with the
recruiting manager:
 Extensive and continual, Display Screen Equipment use
 Lone working
The salary for this post will be paid in a range between £27,047 and £30,424 (pro rata if
part-time), on Grade F.
This post is permanent, and full-time working 37 hours per week. For full-time posts, hours are
normally 8.30am to 5.00 pm Monday to Thursday, and to 4.30pm on Friday.
All staff appointed will be subject to a probationary period during which time comprehensive
support will be given. An offer of appointment will also be subject to completion of a Post Offer
Health Questionnaire.
5. STAFF BENEFITS
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Childcare Vouchers: The University runs a scheme for staff to purchase childcare vouchers
to pay for childcare through payroll.
Cycle to Work: The University runs a scheme for staff to purchase tax free bikes for
commuting purposes through payroll. For details, see Cyclescheme Ltd Terms and conditions
apply.
EAP: The University’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a major initiative offering all
staff access to a confidential telephone helpline service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The service can provide information and advice on a range of personal, emotional, family, legal
and financial issues. All calls are free and confidential.
Increments: Staff will normally receive annual increments to the top of the pay scale to which
they are assigned. This incremental progression is, however, subject to meeting the
requirements of appropriate progression criteria e.g. probation requirements, bar progression
arrangements and is subject to satisfactory performance.
Leave for Support and Professional Staff:
Grade
New Staff
Up to and including Grade E 25 days
Grade F and above
27 days
Senior Management
35 days
Leave for Academic and Research Staff:
Grade
New Staff
Researchers Grade F
27 days
Academic and Research Staff 35 days
Grade G and above
After 5 years continuous service
30 days
30 days
35 days
After 5 years continuous service
30 days
N/A
Also, all staff receive 11 days for public holidays, and between 1 and 2½ additional days to
facilitate the closure of the University during the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
All leave is pro rata for part-time employees.
Parking: There is parking in and around the University. Staff pay a small annual fee for a car
parking permit to cover all University campuses.
Pay Award: Salary scales are revised annually.
Pension: Staff will join the appropriate occupational superannuation scheme subject to its
regulations. This scheme could be the TPS, LGPS or USS. Each scheme includes an
employers' contribution and provides an index linked pension and lump sum on retirement. New
staff who have been members of the University Superannuation Scheme (USS) will only be able
to remain in that scheme if there is no more than a break of one calendar month since
contributions were last made to the USS.
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Performance and Development Review: All staff have an annual review of personal and work
objectives.
6. HOW TO APPLY
If you would like an informal discussion, please contact James McKenzie on 0117 32 83965 or
email: James.Mckenzie@uwe.ac.uk
* * * * * * * * *
Non EU Nationals please note:
The University has a legal responsibility to ensure that all employees are entitled to live and work
in the UK. For some vacancies (those requiring specific skills or in shortage occupations e.g.
Lecturing/Research positions) we may be able to obtain a certificate of sponsorship for a suitably
qualified applicant as part of the process of obtaining permission to work in the UK from the UK
Border Agency (UKBA). However, for most other vacancies including administrative roles it will
be unlikely that permission to work in the UK would be granted. You can check whether you
would be eligible to work in the UK under the points-based system for migrant workers using the
UKBA points calculator.
* * * * * * * * *
It is normal practice to take up references only for those applicants who are short-listed for
interview. Referees with knowledge of your professional ability are preferred to those with
merely social knowledge. If you are currently employed, it will be helpful if you name a referee
who can refer to your current work. If you ask that your present employer should not be
contacted before an interview, this request will be respected.
Applications for this post must be submitted using our online eRecruitment system,
which can be accessed via our vacancies website.
The closing date is 1 October 2013 at 11.59pm.
To help us deal quickly with any queries please quote reference number 1352039 in any
communications.
Interviews normally take place within 4 weeks of the closing date. Applicants will be
informed by email regarding the status of their application in due course. If you have a
disability and would like to discuss the practical arrangements for this interview please feel free
to contact HRresourcing@uwe.ac.uk
UWE can assist with travel expenses for external applicants travelling more than 50 miles.
This amount is capped to £50 for travel expenses and £50 for overnight accommodation, if this
is required. Full details are available on request. On occasion there may be an option for a
video conference interview.
UWE is committed to equality and values diversity; we aspire to creating a community of staff
and students representative of the people we serve. We believe in an inclusive university
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where diversity is respected and celebrated. If you feel the same we'd like to hear from you.
Visit the equality and diversity website to find out more.
NCS
17/9/13
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