Specialist Practitioner (Disability)

The Student Disability and Inclusion Team at the University of Southampton are recruiting for a Specialist Practitioner to provide comprehensive support for disabled students including those with physical disabilities, mental health and wellbeing conditions, long-term health conditions, and neurodivergent students. This is a full-time, permanent role.

Your main areas of work will include:

• meeting with a high volume of students to assess need, to review and discuss individual reasonable adjustments, and to provide specialist advice and support
• ensuring prompt follow-up and communication with relevant staff so that students have their support in place when they need it
• making appropriate referrals, recommendations and liaising with relevant internal and external partners 
• working as part of a team to identify and develop new initiatives to support students.   

Successful candidates will be qualified to at least degree level or equivalent with proven experience in supporting disabled individuals in a professional context. You will have a high level of knowledge around a range of disabilities and the ability to make justified recommendations for reasonable adjustments. A background in Higher Education is advantageous but not essential; applicants will need to demonstrate the ability to transfer and adapt skills to a new environment. 

The successful candidates will be able to demonstrate:

• excellent interpersonal skills to effectively gather information from students
• problem solving skills to introduce new ways of working
• experience of managing a fluctuating and often demanding workload
• strong persuasion skills and the ability to advocate for disabled students

An enhanced DBS check is required for this role.

This is a student facing role and meeting students will either be online or in-person. Occasional weekend and evening work is required for university events such as open days, graduation ceremonies, and transition events.

Previous applicants need not apply.

We are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and equality of opportunity. We select candidates based on merit and ability and aspire to thrive in the diversity of our workforce. We welcome applications from all candidates with an interest in the role and those who are committed to helping us create an inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from candidates from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, people from LGBTQ+ communities, and people with disabilities.

As a university we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work. With a generous holiday allowance as well as additional university closure days we are committed to supporting our staff and students and open to a flexible working approach.

Apply by 11.59 pm GMT on the closing date. For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or recruitment@soton.ac.uk quoting the job number.