Wellbeing Advisor

Wellbeing Advisor
GSM London
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Salary: £23,000 per annum, depending on experience
Location: Based in Greenford with flexibility to work across sites
Post duration: Permanent / Full Time
Closing date: Wednesday 18th February 2015, 5.00pm
In 2013, GSM London (Greenwich School of Management), one of the leading providers of
independent Higher Education within the UK, celebrates its 40th anniversary. These are exciting
times for us and, with ambitious growth plans for the future; we are seeking to recruit a substantial
number of outstanding staff.
In 2012 we successfully opened two new London sites; a state-of-the-art West London (Greenford)
Campus and our London Bridge Study Centre. Both sites have been a great success and are
testament to our commitment to reach out to a wider London student base as well as those from
across the world. Our continued growth in both student numbers and London campuses reflects our
vision: that of providing high-quality degree programmes designed to enhance the employability of our
students. Our strategy relies on the provision of an outstanding student experience, with real insight
into the characteristics of a very diverse student body. Of course, we are not only investing in new
premises and a new brand; we also are moving towards having many more full time staff, will be
further expanding student-facing teams, and are building organisational capability to take us forward
as we seek to attain university status.
We are seeking an experienced professional to join GSM London as a Wellbeing Advisor. The post
holder will be responsible for supporting students with a range of learning access needs from
accommodation and support, to disability and caring responsibilities, and be expected to assess the
support and requirements of students with learning access needs including where appropriate using
the Disabled Students’ Allowance Framework.
To be successful you will need to demonstrate your experience in a advisory role along with similar
experience in a learning access and wellbeing environment in Higher or Further Education and in a
student-facing role where you have been involved in the provision of advice and guidance for students
with a range of access needs. You will possess superior communication and interpersonal skills,
along with a cultural and socio economic awareness and ability to deal sensitively with demanding or
distressed clients. In addition you will have strong planning and prioritisation skills, sound decision
making and the ability to lead and motivate your team to work collaboratively to achieve exceptional
results.
How to apply: To express your interest in this position please view the Job description below and
submit your application via email to [email protected] quoting reference Wellbeing Advisor in the
subject line. If interested parties would like to discuss the role informally, with the Registrar, please
email the same address in the first instance.
Applications should include a full CV and a covering letter addressing the selection criteria under the
knowledge, skill and experience requirements section of the Job description.
Job description
Job title: Wellbeing Advisor
Status: Permanent, Full Time, 40 hours per week
Team: Wellbeing Team
Reports to: Wellbeing Manager
Main Location: Greenford with Flexibility to work
across campuses
Direct reports: None
Department: Learning Support and Wellbeing
Departmental budget holder: No
Position context:
In 2013, GSM London (Greenwich School of Management), one of the leading providers of independent Higher
Education within the UK, celebrates its 40th anniversary. These are exciting times for us and, with ambitious
growth plans for the future; we are seeking to recruit a substantial number of outstanding staff.
In 2012 we successfully opened two new London sites; a state-of-the-art West London (Greenford) Campus and
our London Bridge Study Centre. Both sites have been a great success and are testament to our commitment to
reach out to a wider London student base as well as those from across the world. Our continued growth in both
student numbers and London campuses reflects our vision: that of providing high-quality degree programmes
designed to enhance the employability of our students. Our strategy relies on the provision of an outstanding
student experience, with real insight into the characteristics of a very diverse student body. Of course, we are not
only investing in new premises and a new brand; we also are moving towards having many more full time staff,
will be further expanding student-facing teams, and are building organisational capability to take us forward as we
seek to attain university status.
Position purpose:
The Wellbeing Advisor is responsible for providing students with information on every aspect of housing, the role
will be crucial in ensuring all students have access to reasonable accommodation. You will also act as a key staff
contact for all private landlords and third part agencies.
Main purpose of the job
The post holder will provide support to students with a range of learning access needs from accommodation and
support, to disability and caring responsibilities, and be expected to assess the support and requirements of
students with learning access needs including where appropriate using the Disabled Students’ Allowance
Framework.
Key Performance Indicators
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Student Satisfaction with advice, and guidance
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% of follow-up completed with Service Level Agreements
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Staff Satisfaction with advice, and guidance
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Improved Student Retention and Progression
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National Student Survey results
Main duties and responsibilities:
1.
Maintain a caseload of students with disclosed Learning Access needs including a range of caring,
disability, and accommodation needs and respond to queries appropriately.
2.
Provide consultation and support to staff within the institution that have been in contact with students with
disclosed Learning Access needs.
3.
Raise awareness amongst staff and students of Learning Access needs and will develop and deliver
specific training programmes.
4.
Involvement in assessing the academic and IT requirements of students with a range of disabilities,
including writing technical reports detailing recommendations to the student and the students funding body.
5.
Assist with the maintenance of the Assessment Centre, ensuring the consistent availability of all equipment,
hardware and software to include the identification and evaluation of appropriate new assistive
technologies.
6.
To provide a skilled and high quality customer experience, including assessing urgency and priority needs
7.
To deal with all initial enquiries to the Service from staff, students, colleagues from the HE sector and other
visitors
8.
To employ an excellent standard of customer care at all times in order to deliver a professional, helpful,
accessible and responsive GSM London service
9.
To deliver a high quality information and initial guidance service for current students on a wide range of
student learning access and welfare topics such as external support, timelines for study, etc.
10. To support and guide applicants and students in using a wide range of comprehensive self-help materials,
in order to develop their knowledge and skills so that are more able to find and use the resources if a similar
issue arises in future
11. To liaise with, and refer students to, other frontline student support providers to facilitate smooth cross
referral and an integrated student experience e.g. Student Finance, Registry, Learning Access, Careers
Centre, Student Engagement and Induction
12. To maintain various client and statistical databases and systems, and to ensure that service workflow
targets are maintained
13. To maintain certain web pages and to update pages according to planned or unforeseen service closure /
reduction in service
14. To contribute to the effectiveness and development of the frontline service by actively contributing to team
and whole service meetings and activities, and by using initiative to raise ideas and issues with line
manager both formally and informally
15. To take responsibility for own professional development, competency and performance by actively
participating in regular one to one meetings and annual appraisals with line manager
16. To carry out general administrative tasks for specialist staff colleagues
In addition to the above duties, all staff are required to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
adhere to all GSM’s policies and procedures, including Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, Data
Protection;
respect confidentiality: all confidential information should be kept in confidence and not released to
unauthorised persons;
undertake appropriate training and staff development as required; and
participate in GSM’s Performance Review and Development Scheme
It is expected that the post holder will work flexibly according to the demands and responsibilities of the job.
Person Specification
Criteria: In the covering letter, applicants should provide evidence of their ability to meet the criteria below, which
will be used for shortlisting and interviewing
In order to be successfully shortlisted applicants need to have:
Essential
Desirable
QUALIFICATIONS
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Good First Degree, or equivalent qualification
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Knowledge of the range of adjustments necessary to meet the needs of
student with learning access requirements including, including a good
understanding of the Disabled Students’ Allowance Scheme.
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Good Knowledge of the learning environments experience by disable
students.
The ability to understand, interpret and explain complex issues such as
medical evidence, educational psychologist reports and guidelines such as
those relating to the Equality Act..
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An understanding of the Equality Act as it applies to HE.
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Ability to understand, retain and communicate complex information and new
concepts to students, some of whom will have limited English language ability
or who may be distressed or agitated.
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Working independently and dealing with unforeseen problems and
circumstances
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Working under pressure, prioritising own workload and planning ahead to
meet deadlines
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Ability to retain high quality customer service standards when working in a
very busy and sometimes stressful working environment, with people who are
often distressed, anxious or demanding
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Ability to exercise good judgement in decision making using established
procedures, especially in situations where clients may be at risk or where
adherence to legal, regulatory or confidentiality requirements may be at stake
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An understanding of the importance of delivering support services within a
confidential setting
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An understanding of working within a client centred service
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The ability to plan and progress own work activities independently, within
service procedures, using initiative and judgement, with recourse to senior
colleagues as needed
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The ability to adapt quickly and effectively to change and new priorities
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Excellent organisational and administrative skills, and excellent attention to
detail
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Competent Word processing and IT skills and Competency in using
databases and data inputting
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Previous experience of frontline duties in an advice, guidance or support
service setting
Previous experience of working in the Higher Education Sector
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