Specialist Mentor (Neurodivergence/ASD)

Job Purpose

The Purpose of this role is to provide individual academic and study-related support for disabled students, particularly those who are autistic/ neurodivergent. The level and type of support will vary according to individual needs. Typically, mentors will assist students to manage the impact of their condition, develop organisational skills and manage their time and workload effectively. This support will help them to develop as independent learners and maintain the necessary focus on academic progress.

The Specialist Mentor (Neurodiversity) will work within the Disability Service, as part of the Wellbeing & Inclusion team, and is expected to work closely and proactively with colleagues in the Student & Academic Services Directorate, and across the University to provide high quality professional support to students.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. The provision of mentoring support, advice and guidance to disabled students, primarily those who are autistic/ neurodivergent. The aim of this support is to assist students to develop the skills and confidence to succeed in their academic careers.
2. Work with a caseload of students and engage in a structured manner to deliver support, suggesting practical strategies and good habits to support students’ academic performance and manage anxiety/stress related to workload.
3. Maintain detailed and accurate records of meetings with students and liaise with Disability Advisers to update on student progress.
4. Preserve the confidential nature of the work and adhere to relevant GDPR requirements.
5. Identify those at academic or psychological risk, taking appropriate action to escalate concerns as required and support students to access additional University services as necessary.
6. To pursue continuous professional development, to maintain their knowledge base, self-awareness, and enhanced skills.
7. On occasion, aid students requiring physical support around campus and/or notetaking support in class.
8. Undertake additional work within the Disability Service commensurate with the grade, e.g. support the delivery of training materials and workshops to colleagues in the academic Colleges and Schools.
9. To provide administrative support to the service as and when required, including data entry and record keeping.
10. To collaborate with the wider multi-disciplinary team and associated colleagues, to provide effective wellbeing support and clear referral pathways.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:
A1 Scottish Credit & Qualification Framework Level 8 AND comprehensive training in adult autism.
A2 Thorough knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity and autism and the potential impacts on study.
A3 Knowledge and experience of supporting disabled students in a University/Higher Education setting.
A4 Knowledge of relevant mental health issues impacting university students.
A5 Understanding of the emotional and developmental aspects of student learning.
A6 Understanding of student stage of personal development and transitions.
A7 A working knowledge of the legal framework in which Disability support operates, e.g., GDPR, Equality Act and Public Sector Equality Duty.
A8 Knowledge of assistive technology and how it can support students.

Skills

Essential:
C1 Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and developed self-awareness.
C2 Effective liaison, negotiation and referral skills.
C3 Proven ability to use initiative, prioritise workload and pro-actively seek guidance and consultation on complex cases.
C4 Ability to work collaboratively within a team and across teams.
C5 Ability to work calmly under pressure using emotional resilience and stamina.
C6 Ability to work effectively with students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
C7 Ability to sensitively and professionally support students presenting as at risk or in crisis.
C8 Ability to break down and explain instructions for students so that they have a clear and unambiguous understanding of what to do.

Experience

Essential:
E1 Experience of working with autistic/ neurodivergent students with varied learning needs and challenges.
E2 Practical experience of mentoring
E3 Experience of risk management and escalation in relation to mental health.
E4 Experience of working within a busy, pressurised environment.
E5 Experience of case management, maintaining clear and concise case notes, liaising with Disability Advisers and others as appropriate.

Desirable:
F1 Experience working within a University/Higher Education based Disability Service or equivalent.

Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 6, £32,332 – £36,024 per annum pro rata.

This post is part-time (21 hours per week), term time only.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension – pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Tagged as: specialist mentor (neurodivergence/asd)