Human
Resources
Job Description Attributes and Competencies
for all Non-Academic, Academic Related and
Professional Posts
Department
Post Ref No
Disability and Dyslexia Service
Post Title
Specialist Mentor – Band Four
Contract Type (Permanent or Fixed Term – If Fixed-Term, please specify the duration)
Sessional
Hours of Work (If Part-Time or Semester, please specify hours and/or weeks per year)
As and when required
Grade and Salary (Pro-rata for part-time)
£40.18 per hour
Purpose of the Role
1. To provide regular one to one mentoring support to disabled students, primarily those with mental
health conditions (including but not limited to schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, depression
and anxiety disorders), and / or autistic spectrum conditions.
2. To address the impact of these conditions on the student’s academic requirements.
Accountable to: Mental Health Adviser
Accountable for: A personal caseload of students with mental health conditions and / or Asperger
syndrome / autism
Key Internal Relationships: Mental Health Adviser, Support Worker Co-ordinator, Disability and Dyslexia
Service Manager, Deputy Manager and other DDS staff.
Key External Relationships: N/A
Work of the Role
Providing one-to-one support which helps students address the barriers to learning created by a particular
impairment, e.g. mental health condition or autistic spectrum disorders. This could include coping with
anxiety and stress, how to deal with concentration difficulties, time management, prioritising workload and
creating a suitable work-life balance. Specialist mentors should do not work as advocates or counsellors
but help students to develop strategies to address barriers to learning.
1
Main Duties
1.
To meet with each student on a one-to-one basis to provide individual support sessions of up to one
hour’s duration. This will usually be on a weekly basis during academic term-time.
2.
To support the student with regard to the impact of their disability on both academic matters and
issues relating to day to day life at university.
3.
To provide practical advice and guidance to the student in a non-judgemental, confidential setting.
4.
To maintain confidentiality (other than in situations where there is a duty of care concern in which
instance you would liaise with the Mental Health Adviser).
5.
To assist students to: develop organisational skills; manage their workload; maintain the necessary
focus on academic progress.
6.
To aid students in the development of effective coping strategies and techniques for dealing with
situations arising at university.
7.
Where appropriate, to help overcome the stresses of transition to a new environment.
8.
To liaise with the Mental Health Adviser and the Disability Advisers with regard to establishing
appropriate provision.
9.
To liaise with the Mental Health Adviser and / or the Support Worker Co-ordinator in order to organise
caseloads and to provide adequate notice if you are unable to attend (a minimum of 48 hours if
possible) a session with a student.
10. To complete all paperwork required for claims for payment, including obtaining student signatures
where relevant and submit this to the Support Worker Co-ordinator.
11. To be willing to undertake continuing professional development to improve your role as a Specialist
Mentor where opportunities are available.
12. To provide a brief summary of any issues addressed together with any recommendations for
additional support after each session to the Mental Health Adviser and to complete any other
paperwork associated with the role as required
Effective Behaviours
 Timeliness
 Meeting Deadlines
 Communication and Networking
 Networking group across colleges
 Ability to negotiate and influence
 Ability to plan and organize own workload
 Ability to adapt to a flexible approach to the demands of a busy college/department in order to
accommodate changes in priorities when required
Additional Responsibilities Applicable to the Post holder


Undertake any other reasonable duties as required commensurate with the grade of the position.
Adhere to and comply with the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act and in accordance with
the University’s policy on health and safety.
2



Undertake all duties and responsibilities in compliance with the rules and regulations encompassing
equal opportunities.
Adhere, comply and work in accordance with University and Departmental policies, procedures and
codes of conduct.
Actively participate in on-going professional development activities as requested.
Organisational Chart
The organisational chart comprises of the role, the manager of the role and any direct reports to the role
3
Competencies
Disabled applicants meeting the Essential criterion will be guaranteed an interview as part of the
University’s commitment to Positive About Disabled People.
E
1. Education:
Qualifications &
Training
2. Knowledge
To be educated to degree or equivalent level
X
Evidence of training in counselling skills
X
Knowledge of confidentiality issues and the ability to
maintain confidentiality within the professional role
X
Experience of working in a role providing guidance / advice
X
Experience of working on a one-to-one basis with people
with mental health conditions and / or Asperger syndrome /
autism to assist them in developing coping strategies to
promote independence
X
Experience of working to support disabled people in an
educational setting
4. Skills &
Abilities
5. Additional
Attributes
Required
(Not
Incorporated
Above)
How
Assessed
Application
form
X
Knowledge of HE institutions and experience of working
within this sector
3. Experience
D
Application
form and
Interview
Application
form and
Interview
X
Excellent interpersonal, communication and listening skills
X
Good organisational skills with effective time management
skills
X
To have a positive attitude towards disabled people and to
be committed to enabling students to reach their full
academic potential.
X
To be committed and reliable and to be available
throughout university term-time
X
Application
form and
Interview
4