Wellbeing Advisor GSM London     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 recruitment@gsm.org.uk 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  Student Satisfaction with advice, and guidance  % of follow-up completed with Service Level Agreements  Staff Satisfaction with advice, and guidance  Improved Student Retention and Progression  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  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.  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..  An understanding of the Equality Act as it applies to HE.  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.  Working independently and dealing with unforeseen problems and circumstances  Working under pressure, prioritising own workload and planning ahead to meet deadlines  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  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  An understanding of the importance of delivering support services within a confidential setting  An understanding of working within a client centred service  The ability to plan and progress own work activities independently, within service procedures, using initiative and judgement, with recourse to senior colleagues as needed  The ability to adapt quickly and effectively to change and new priorities  Excellent organisational and administrative skills, and excellent attention to detail  Competent Word processing and IT skills and Competency in using databases and data inputting  Previous experience of frontline duties in an advice, guidance or support service setting Previous experience of working in the Higher Education Sector  