Department for Curriculum & Quality Enhancement
DISABILITY OFFICER
10015457
Information for Candidates
THE POST
Please see the attached job description and person specification.
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
Salary is in the range £33,242 to £36,309 per annum and progress to the top of the scale is by
annual increments payable on 1st April each year. Salary is paid into a bank or building society
monthly in arrears.
Working hours are 37 per week. Overtime is not normally payable but time off in lieu may be
given. Staff are likely to be asked to attend on weekends for recruitment activities at certain
times of the year.
Leave entitlement is 32 working days per annum (Pro-rata for part-time staff). In addition, the
University is normally closed from Christmas Eve until New Years Day inclusive and there are a
further five bank holidays.
The Appointee will be entitled to join the Local Government Pension Scheme. The scheme's
provisions include an index-linked pension with an option to exchange some pension for a lump
sum on retirement together with dependants’ benefits. Contributions by the employee are
subject to tax relief.
There is a probationary period of six months during which new staff are expected to demonstrate
their suitability for the post.
There is a comprehensive sickness and maternity benefits scheme.
It is the University's policy to take up references for candidates called for interview and to ask
successful candidates to submit documentary evidence of their qualifications on taking up their
appointment.
To comply with UKVI legislation, non-EEA candidates are only eligible to apply for this post if it
has been advertised for a total of 28 days.
If the position has a requirement for Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS), this will be
stated in the advert. The DBS Application Form will be provided once the selection process has
been completed.
All applications must be submitted by Midnight (GMT) on the closing date published.
UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH: JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Disability Officer
Faculty/Centre:
Position Reference No:
DCQE/ Additional Support and Disability Advice Centre
(ASDAC)
10015457
Cost Centre:
46501
Responsible to:
Gail Borham, Deputy Head ASDAC
Responsible for:
None
Effective date of job
description:
May 2015
Purpose of Job:
To provide a confidential diagnostic, support, information and advice service to and about
prospective and actual students with chronic illnesses, sensory and physical impairment,
Specific Learning Difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Disorder and mental health difficulties
(‘disabilities’) that may impact upon their ability to study at the University or access its
facilities. An integral part of the role will involve the identification and maintenance of the
ongoing support needs of disabled students and, within the constraints of confidentiality,
the accurate and timely communication of these needs to all relevant parties within the
University.
Key Responsibilities:
1.
To undertake diagnostic and remedial casework interviews within the context of any
relevant specialist reports and medical information available.
2.
Following such interviews, to make and record specific support recommendations
for action by academic and support staff across the University, taking into account
the nature and level of the course and the legislative framework provided by the
Equality Act 2010 and preceding DDA legislation.
3.
To be responsible for the population and management of individual records of
support needs held on the University management system (Student Records) within
the legislative framework for confidentiality prescribed by the Equality Act 2010 and
the Data Protection Act 1998.
4.
To be responsible for the maintenance and management of accurate records
relating to the process and conduct of individual cases to provide an complete audit
trail of actions and interactions sufficient for use in the event of dispute associated
with or arising from the provisions of the Equality Act 2010.
5.
To conduct initial screening tests and further assessments for the purposes of
identifying whether further referral for specialist assessment is appropriate for
students presenting with chronic illnesses, sensory and physical impairments,
mental health conditions and suspected Specific Learning Difficulties.
6.
To work with the Deputy Head, ASDAC in developing strategies, systems, structures
and processes for the effective support of students with disabilities and the
identification and dissemination of best practice associated with that support
provision.
7.
To manage and monitor referrals for specialist support arising from needs
assessments by outside agencies including monitoring outcomes and renegotiating
recommendations with assessment agencies and funding bodies (SFE, NHS and
others) as subsequently necessary to achieve appropriate outcomes and the
maintenance of necessary provision.
8.
To take proactive steps to identify and contact all potential claimants for the
Disabled Students’ Allowances at the earliest opportunity and ensure that ensuing
claims are processed swiftly and satisfactorily in order to maximize eligibility for
HEFCE Premium Funding, including all necessary liaison with funding bodies,
students, medical advisers and Chartered Educational Psychologists.
9.
To advise academic and support staff within departments and faculties regarding
the proactive provision of appropriate support arrangements for individual students,
including referral to and liaison with other support services as necessary e.g.
Academic Skills Unit, Wellbeing Services, Student Finance and Student Housing.
10.
To assist students in implementing personal support arrangements including
managing financial implications on their behalf (e.g. note-taking, interpreters,
mentors) and liaising with outside support agencies such as Hampshire
Interpretation Services, Autism Hampshire, Clear Links Support Ltd, Portsmouth
Assessment Centre and other non-medical support agencies when appropriate, and
with Social Services and associated care agencies when personal care support is
necessary.
11.
To make and review recommendations for assessment provision within the context
of the general requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and University assessment
regulations, and provide departments with accurate and timely information on
outcome concessions for examination and other assessment arrangements within
the practical constraints provided by the student need to have all possible and
practicable opportunities to demonstrate their achievement of core learning
outcomes.
12.
To make and review recommendations for special provision for learning and
curriculum delivery, ensuring that all reasonable adjustments sufficient to comply
with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 are made within the practical
constraints of programme design, delivery and timetabling.
13.
To engage with the applications, admissions and marketing processes in respect of
the provision of all necessary advice to and liaison with marketing and admissions
teams; ensuring that all prospective applicants are made fully aware of the work of
ASDAC and the general and specific nature of the University’s support arrangements
applicable to their own personal needs; to advise and/or consult with the Deputy
Head, ASDAC regarding any unusual or relevant matters arising or in prospect.
14.
To ensure that all general and specific information provided to staff, applicants,
students and the public through web site, email, printed information, letter and
verbal communications are accurate, appropriate and consistent with the
requirements of the Equality Act 2010, the Data Protection Act 1998 and University
policies.
15.
To ensure that all database records and communications to staff through Jupiter
and Discoverer reporting systems are consistent, current, complete, accurate and
timely and respect all confidentiality requirements of students that are consistent
with the requirements of Equality Act 2010, the Data Protection Act 1998 and
University policies.
16.
To undertake all such other duties as may reasonably be required by the Deputy
Head, ASDAC or Director, DCQE.
Working Relationships (key individuals the job holder would be working with):
Deputy Head of ASDAC
ASDAC Administrative staff
DCQE Administrative staff
Study skills and assistive technology tuition staff
Academic Skills staff
Mental Health Coordinator
Student Wellbeing Advisers
Head of Wellbeing Service
Chaplaincy
Purple Door
1. PERSON SPECIFICATION
No
1.
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
Attributes
Specific Knowledge & Experience
Knowledge of the current provisions for disability support
for students in Higher Education
General understanding of the likely impact of specific
learning difficulties, chronic illnesses, sensory and mobility
impairments, autistic spectrum disorder and mental health
difficulties on the educational experience and consequent
needs of students in HE.
Rating
Source
E
AF, S,
T
AF, S,
T
E
Some experience of working with persons with mental
health difficulties and/or autistic spectrum disorder.
General knowledge of the provisions of the Equality Act
2010
D
AF, S
E
AF, S
Specific knowledge of the implications of the Equality Act
2010 for the HE sector
D
AF, S
D
AF, S
Knowledge of general provisions of the Data Protection Act
(1998)
1.7
Experience of working in Higher Education in a relevant
professional capacity .
D
AF
1.8
Experience of the assessment of specific support needs and
the identification of associated adjustments to academic
processes within the HE context.
D
AF
1.9
Experience of interviewing people in ‘personal/sensitive’
D
AF
contexts.
1.10
Experience of writing reports and communicating
professionally to a wide external audience in both written
and verbal forms.
E
AF, S,
T
2.
2.1
Skills & Abilities
Excellent communication, team working and organisational
skills.
E
AF, S
2.2
Meticulous administrative and record keeping skills within
an electronic office environment.
E
AF, S,
T
2.3
High level of computer literacy, particularly in respect of
Microsoft Office, email, electronic diarising, working with
relational databases. Good keyboarding skills.
E
AF, S,
T
E
AF, S,
T
2.4
Ability accurately to interpret professional reports (e.g.
Psychological assessments, medical reports) to extract
relevant information for appropriate action or further
enquiry.
2.5
Ability to be objective, use judgement and initiative, make
informed and balanced decisions based on available
information.
E
AF, S,
T
2.6
Able to operate under occasionally lengthy and stressful
periods of sustained pressure in response to cyclical nature
of the academic cycle.
Self-motivational skills and the ability to work on own
initiative as well as part of a wider team.
E
AF, S
E
AF, S
2.8
Ability to carry out preliminary screening tests for specific
learning difficulties
D
AF, S
3.
3.1
Qualifications, Education & Training
First Degree (or equivalent)
E
AF
3.2
Relevant specialist qualification (or equivalent experience
in relevant specialist area(s))
Postgraduate qualification in the field of specific learning
difficulties.
Other Requirements
E
AF
D
AF
Diplomacy and professionalism.
E
S
4.2
Ability objectively to view individual needs within a context
informed by recognition of relevant external factors (e.g.
academic standards, practicality, reasonability, legitimate
interests of others, social model of disability).
E
S
4.3
Preparedness to meet agreed deadlines, manage own
workload within a fluctuating demand context, be
adaptable, self-motivated.
E
S
4.4
Readiness to work within a shared and consistent operating
framework that includes an agreed understanding of
E
S
2.7
3.3
4.
4.1
working methods, support outcomes, methods of
communication, and rigorous information management
protocols.
4.5
Willingness to undertake a variety of tasks and to
undertake further training as necessary.
E
Legend
Rating of attribute: E = essential; D = desirable
Source of evidence: AF = Application Form; S = Selection Programme; T = Tests
S
JOB HAZARD INDENTIFICATION FORM
Please tick box(s) if any of the below are likely to be encountered by the applicant.
International travel

Ionising radiation

Manual Handling

Asbestos, Lead

Human tissue/body fluids
EPP Worker (Exposure Prone Procedures)

Driving on University business
Mini-bus, Van, bus, forklift
truck

Genetically modified Organisms

Food Handling

Noise > 80 DbA

Substances to which COSHH applies

Skin irritants/sensitisors

Small print /colour coding (electrical)

Night Duty
between 2200 hrs and 0600 hrs

Working at heights / with drains /
in confined spaces

Access to children

Display Screen Equipment
Repetitive tasks


Stress (workplace/workload demands,
changes within dept etc)


Other (please specify)
Please give details of any of the above as necessary:
Stress- rapidly accumulating workload and backlog of actions at start of term
Line Manager/Supervisor to sign below
Signed ………………………………………………………………………. Date
Name … …………………………………………………
(Block capitals)
Ext No …………………………………………………………………..