Deputy Manager, Disability Service

The Student Wellbeing Service is seeking to appoint an exceptional candidate to the post of Deputy Manager. Reporting to and working closely with the Manager of the Disability Team, you will play a pivotal role in the effective operational and team management of the service. The role requires strong line management skills to lead and support staff, oversee daily operations, and uphold service standards.

You will also form a key part of the senior escalation process, offering expert advice to internal and external colleagues and students in complex or high-risk situations, ensuring responsive, informed, and legally compliant decision-making. This includes contributing to the delivery of high-quality support that meets the University's statutory obligations, ensuring appropriate guidance, reasonable adjustments, and tailored support for students with disabilities, including those with mental health challenges.

A central aspect of the role involves line management of Disability Practitioners; supporting them to remove barriers to success for students with disabilities and co-occurring conditions, to ensure these students experience equitable access to all aspects of university life - including learning, teaching, assessment, accommodation, and additional support. The post holder will also promote a positive, respectful, and inclusive culture team culture that supports team cohesion and student access, progression, and retention.

The role will involve close operational collaboration with the Students' Union, university departments, and key external stakeholders to support strategic priorities and ensure compliance with legal and sector obligations regarding disabled students. As visible leadership is key to the success of this post, it is primarily campus-based, with the potential for some home working once the role is fully embedded.

• Service Leadership:
  Work alongside the Manager to lead and develop a professional, welcoming, and accessible service that responds effectively to the diverse needs of the student population.
• Integrated Student Support:
  Collaborate with colleagues across SHWS to support an integrated and holistic student support model.
• Representation and Partnership:
  Represent the service and university at local and national multi-disciplinary groups where required, building and maintaining partnerships to support a safe and positive student experience.
• Line Management and Development:
  Provide effective line management to direct reports, monitor performance against agreed targets, and support staff development to ensure high levels of individual and team performance.
• Operational Oversight:
  Support the leadership of day-to-day operational and personnel processes, including induction, absence and leave management, probation, performance reviews, and staffing finance.
• Policy and Procedure Development:
  Support the development, review, implementation, and evaluation of relevant policies and procedures to ensure effective and inclusive service delivery.
• Service Governance and Quality Assurance:
  Oversee service governance, including compliance with training, supervision, and data reporting systems, ensuring data is fit for purpose and informs service planning, enhancement, and resource allocation.
• Training and Guidance:
  Work collaboratively with university teams to provide education, training, and expert guidance to the wider university community.
• Legislative and Sector Knowledge:
  Maintain in depth and current knowledge of relevant legislation, sector standards, and policy developments to inform the university's provision of reasonable adjustments and risk mitigation strategies.
• Professional Standards and Student Support:
  Promote ethical practice and uphold professional standards within the team, maintaining a student-facing role where appropriate and taking proactive responsibility for personal wellbeing and professional development.
  Proven strong leadership skills showing the vision and the ability to motivate and support a team of staff though change.
• Ability to support and direct colleagues and key third parties in challenging situations.
• Considerable knowledge of and familiarity with the application of relevant legislation and the implications of this in higher education setting.
• Understanding the effects of a range of disabilities on individuals, family, friends, staff and potential impact on students' university experience, and have a good understanding of risk management in relation to disability support.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oratory, with the ability to deliver training to a diverse audience.
• Proven ability to create and manage service data recording and reporting systems, to inform service delivery plans and evidence service impact.
• Excellent IT skills.
• Experience of working in partnership with external providers, to effective positive change for a key client population.
• Ability to maintain high levels personal and professional resilience.
• Ability to interpret and apply knowledge of…