University of Essex
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title and Grade:
Contract:
Hours:
Student Support Worker – Workshop/Laboratory/
Scribe Assistant
Grade 3
Fixed term – October - June
As necessary (casual as and when contract).
Salary:
A basic hourly rate is paid, however, payment is 1.5
hours for each hour with a student to incorporate
session planning and record keeping.
Department/Section:
Student Support, Academic Section
Responsible to:
Deputy Director of Student Support (Disability)
Reports on a day to day basis to:
Purpose of job:
Disability Support Adviser
To act as a member of a team of individuals
enhancing opportunities for disabled students to
access all aspects of their education. This role does
not provide tuition for students but rather provides
practical assistance to enable disabled students to
succeed.
Student Support
Student Support provides a range of specialist advice and information services for
students on matters ranging from debt management to disability. A number of Student
Support Workers (approx. 40) are appointed as part of the Disability Service within
Student Support to provide direct support to disabled students. Further information about
the services offered can be found on the Student Support Website.
Duties of the Post
The postholder will assist in workshops/laboratories/studio and/or other practical sessions
to help ensure individual disabled students have access to practical sessions. Exact
requirements will be determined for each student but this could include completing
practical tasks for a student with manual dexterity difficulties or issues with stamina or
fatigue, repeating instructions for students who’s hearing is impaired or students with
specific learning difficulties, taking notes in sessions if required or writing down or typing
what a student dictates.
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Administration and Support

To meet with the Disability Adviser and student to outline the support required

To take instruction from the student and, where appropriate, the tutor to enable the
student to fully access the practical session. This may include requests assist with
manual tasks including moving and carrying items, completing tasks which require
manual dexterity, taking note of and repeating instructions provided by tutors or
describing visual results eg from a microscope.

To take neat, legible and comprehensive academic notes for the student. This may
be in practical sessions, in the library or in other study areas. This may occasionally
include copying or typing up the notes but this would be agreed in advance with the
Disability Adviser.

When necessary, to take notes dictated by students including recording.

To agree working practices with the student(s) with regard to duties and hours.

To work closely with the members of the Disability Service and other University staff.

To review notes at the end of the lecture or class and ensure they are in a suitable
format for the student to access effectively.
Other

To undertake training to understand the needs of the student and the academic or
prescribed standards being assessed within the practical/s.

To complete compulsory training including but not limited to: Health & Safety, Equality
& Diversity and Fire Safety.

To undertake any other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Director of
Student Support or his/her nominee.
These duties are a guide to the work that the post holder will initially be required to
undertake. They may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances and
do not form part of the contract of employment.
Terms of Appointment:
For a full description of the terms of appointment for this post please visit:
http://www.essex.ac.uk/personnel/CondServ/default.htm
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University of Essex
PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE: Student Support Worker – Workshop/
Laboratory/Scribe Assistant
Qualifications /Training
Essential



A degree or equivalent level qualification
A recognised Notetaker qualification or equivalent
Commitment to develop own skills within this field,
which will include attendance on training courses
Desirable
x
x
x
Experience/Knowledge
Essential



Experience of working within the higher education
sector
Experience of working with people with disabilities
preferably in an educational context
Practical knowledge or experience
(in Loughton this would be workshops for stage
management including technical theatre and design)
Desirable
x
x
x
Skills/Abilities
Essential







Manual dexterity and the ability to demonstrate practical
skills
The ability to communicate effectively and foster good
relationships with staff, students and others as
appropriate
Flexibility of attitude and willingness to understand the
requirements of disabled students
Respect and maintain a high level of confidentiality at all
times
A commitment to customer service, equal opportunities
and to working within the social model of disability
The ability to demonstrate excellent written language
skills appropriate to higher education level study
The ability to demonstrate good listening skills
Desirable
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Further information relating to working at University of Essex can be found here
workingatessex.
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