UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH WALES
Student Services
Study Skills Tutor x 10 - (Ref:SD524)
Fixed-Term until 31st December 2014
£20.60 - £25.75 per hour
The Disability & Dyslexia Service requires a number of hourly-paid Study Skills Tutors to provide one-to-one tutorial
support to students with Specific Learning Difficulties (e.g. dyslexia) and mental health issues. Typically, Study Skills
Tutors provide tutorial support to students on areas such as time management, assignment planning and aspects of
literacy and numeracy.
Applicants must have an honours degree and should be familiar with the diversity and expectations of Higher
Education. Experience of relevant one-to-one tutoring is essential (preferably at a H.E level) and applicants should
have a qualification/experience of tutoring students with Specific Learning Difficulties.
Working hours are flexible and the post holders will usually be require to work between 0-30 hours per week, based on
student demand and tutor availability. Successful applicants will be required to work across the Treforest, Glyntaff and
Cardiff campuses.
The post is subject to medical clearance and Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) checks.
Successful applicants will be required to fully engage in CPD programmes/activities and adhere to the CPD policy for
this role.
Previous applicants to this post need not reapply.
Ref: SD524
CLOSING DATE: 20th June 2013
The closing date for applications is 20/06/2013. Interviews will take place between 15/07/2013 and 19/07/2013 Successful
candidates will need to be available for induction at the beginning of September 2013 (exact date to be confirmed).
FURTHER PARTICULARS FOR THE POST OF Study Skills Tutor
Student Services
The Department of Student Services is headed by Dr Gillian Jack and has seven Centres, each headed by a manager,
responsible for :
Careers Guidance – Manager, Euros Evans
Disability & Dyslexia –Manager, Sharon Jones
Health Services – Manager, Althea Sharp
Resident Tutor Service – Manager, Akram Hammoudeh
Resources and Administration - Manager, Dilys Pritchard
Student and Staff Counselling and Welfare – Manager and Dep. Director of SS, Ros Morton,
Student Money, International Support, Student Communication Services– Manager, David Smith
The 60 or so staff of the Department all share in its basic philosophy - that of acknowledging explicitly the personal
responsibility and potential of individual clients and of contributing fully to enabling them to realise that potential. The
services we provide, therefore, are impartial, delivered within an overall person-centred frame, and within the
Department's confidentiality code. Student Services is a support department, and is mainly client based.
Careers Guidance: The Careers Service helps students and graduates with all aspects of their career planning.
Services range from individual advice and guidance on career choice to postgraduate study, work experience, practical
support with job hunting, working/studying overseas and much more. We can even help you find a part time job whilst
you study.
Disability & Dyslexia Service is supported by a team of advisers with specialist skills to provide a confidential
service offering support, advice and assistance to disabled students including those with ‘unseen’ conditions such as
asthma, epilepsy and diabetes and students with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia.
Health Services: The nurse-led University Health Service is based on the Treforest campus. A wide range of services
is on offer to all members of the University community including students, staff and visitors. Walk in or phone in for
advice on all types of ailments and problems. We are here to act as a supplement to the service provided by your GP.
Resident Tutor Service: Our team of resident tutors look after over 1,100 students based in 3 halls of residence on
our main Treforest campus with responsibility for the discipline and welfare of all of our hall residents. All of our
residential tutors are either postgraduate students or full-time University staff working within the Student Services
department and act as a first point of contact for any issues you may face whilst living in halls.
Resources and Administration: The Administration Team comprises of 5 members of staff, Manager, Senior
Administrator and three Reception Administrators. The Reception Administrators cover the frontline administration and
reception areas. They receive all visitors to the Department, and handle all incoming queries, both telephone and faceto-face callers. They manage an e-appointments system for approximately 40 members of staff who meet clients on a
one-to-one basis. They also assist in the administration of Student Money issues, and can often answer queries
without having to refer to an adviser or counsellor. The Senior Administrator provides administrative support to the
Resources Manager, and is also PA to the Director of Student Services. Resources and Administration is also
responsible for all Budgetary Functions, data analysis, Human Resources, Space, Equipment.
Student and Staff Counselling and Welfare is supported by a team of counsellors who provide people with the
opportunity to talk through their concerns with a skilled professional. All counselling at the University of South Wales is
confidential.
Student Money, International Support, Student Communication Services: The Student Money Service is available
to all students of the University and provides advice and information on financial support, loans and bursaries that may
be available to them. The aim of the Service is to help students maximise funding sources available to them and to
offer assistance where possible should a student find themselves in financial difficulty. The International Student
Support Service offers information and advice to International Students on a range of non-academic issues such as
immigration, finance, health and daily life in the UK. The Student Communication Service manages the University’s
student website ‘Glamlife’.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsible to:
The Disability & Dyslexia Service Psychologist
Main Purpose of Job:
To provide one-to-one tutorial support to students with dyslexia, related Specific Learning Difficulties and Mental Health
issues across University campuses.
Principal Responsibilities and Duties:
Study Skills Tutors provide tutorial support to students on areas such as time management, assignment planning and
aspects of literacy and numeracy.
To arrange tutorial times with students and to keep signed records of student contact hours.
To submit relevant documentation of student contact hours to the Disability & Dyslexia Service, as required.
Fully engage in Continuing Professional Development activities relevant to the tutor role.
To work flexibly across University campuses (i.e. Treforest, Glyntaff, Cardiff).
PERSON SPECIFICATION – Study Skills Tutor
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential
Desirable
a) Excellent written and spoken English.
b) Ability to interact effectively with students with a range
of abilities.
c) Ability to both reassure students and to encourage
autonomy.
d) Communicate effectively by a variety of means, e.g. in
person, email, text.
e) Ability to effectively manage a diary system, coordinate
own workload and submit relevant paperwork on
agreed dates.
f)
Familiar with the diversity and expectations of Higher
Education, including the presentation and format of H.E
assignments.
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
g) Comprehensive knowledge of grammar and
punctuation, and the ability to apply this to students’
assignments,
h) Knowledge of Specific Learning Difficulties, i.e.
dyslexia.
Desirable
p) H.E. subject-specific knowledge.
q) Knowledge of assistive software/technology.
r) Comprehensive knowledge of maths, numeracy
and statistics.
EXPERIENCE
Essential
i) Relevant, independent one-to-one tutoring.
Desirable
s) Working with students who have Specific
Learning Difficulties.
t) Experience of working in H.E. environment.
TRAINING
Essential
j)
A degree or Higher Education qualification equivalent.
Desirable
u) Post-graduate diploma in dyslexia / Specific
Learning Difficulties.*
v) P.G.C.E.
(* = Achieved or working towards)
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Essential
k) To arrange tutorial times with students.
l)
To work flexible hours to suit student timetables.
m) To attend induction programme.
n) To fully engage in CPD programme/activities and
adhere to CPD policy for study skills tutors.
Desirable
o) To work flexibly across University campuses.
It is essential that when making an application, candidates specifically address the criteria set out in the
Person Specification. This information will be used in deciding those to be shortlisted.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
The successful applicant will be appointed to the post of Study Skills Tutor of the University of South Wales.
CONTINUOUS SERVICE
In the case of redundancy, payment will be calculated in accordance with the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of
Employment in Local Government, etc) (Modification) Order as amended.
RETIREMENT
You will normally be required to retire the day before you reach the age of 65. By mutual agreement your services may
be extended.
GRADE/SALARY
£20.60 - £25.75 per hour
TENURE
This post is fixed term till until 31st December 2014
DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE
As you will have noted from the advertisement for this post, it has been assessed as one where, if you are appointed,
you will be required to obtain a DBS Disclosure, in this case a Enhanced Disclosure. Disclosures obtained prior to an
offer of appointment being made are not accepted by the University.
Because the Disclosure will form part of the Recruitment Process, you will, if invited to interview, be requested to
provide details of any criminal record you may have. Further details will be provided if you are to be invited for
interview.
PROBATION
New entrants to the service of the University of South Wales are appointed subject to a probationary period of not
normally more than 6 months, during which time we will seek to confirm their suitability for the post.
MEDICAL CLEARANCE
All posts in the University of South Wales are offered subject to medical clearance. If appointed, you will be required to
complete a questionnaire (confidential to the University’s Medical Adviser) detailing your medical history and you may
be requested to attend a medical examination.
HOURS OF WORK/WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
Working hours are flexible and the post holders will usually be require to work between 0-30 hours per week, based on
student demand and tutor availability.
TERMINATION
The appointments are terminable upon one months notice from the individual or 1 weeks notice from the University.
HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES
All staff are responsible for the health and safety of both themselves, and others upon whom they may have an effect.
All staff must co-operate with the University in achieving its Health and Safety objectives. More detailed generic
responsibilities are included in Appendix 7.3 of the University health and safety policy.
APPOINTMENTS PROCEDURE
Referees
Internal candidates should supply details of one referee only, being their Head of Department or Line Manager.
External candidates will be asked to supply three referees. References will be taken up after the interview.
Progress of Application
If you are successful in being selected for interview for the above post, you will be notified within 6 weeks of the closing
date. If you have not heard by this date, then you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this
occasion.
In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in the University of South Wales, and
to wish you luck in your application.
CLOSING DATE: 20th June 2013
Ref: SD524