Student Inclusion Officer

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

You will work within a team that delivers a high quality, inclusive and accessible learning experience for all students. You will support students, actively seeking out and responding to ‘the student voice’ (via student-staff committees, NSS, Tell US) to enhance the student journey from induction to graduation.

As a key member of the school’s Education and Student Experience Team, you will act as the main contact for queries related to disability, student wellbeing, and inclusion and you will find opportunities to build an inclusive environment. You will collaborate closely with colleagues to ensure that disabled and disadvantaged student needs are understood and met, and you will signpost students for specialist support and advice through the central University Student Support Services.

With a desire to improve student success and outcomes, you will monitor academic participation and progress and lead initiatives to re-engage students when required.

The successful candidate will be a supportive, people-focussed individual, with motivation for promoting and embedding equality, diversity and inclusion principles and improving the student experience. They will have an empathetic approach to dealing with students and will be able to build effective relationships as they collaborate with staff and students. Please note that this will be a job share with one other post holder.

• Act as main school contact for general disability, student wellbeing, and inclusion support for all students (UG,PGT & PGR), liaising closely with the wider team to ensure a joined up approach to inclusion and engagement.
• Ensure Learning Support Plans, including Exam Support Adjustments (ESAs) are understood and implemented, working with colleagues from across the School, Faculty and University as required.
• Offer advice to academic colleagues on implementing reasonable adjustments.
• Work with the Director of Education to identify and implement underpinning inclusive practices which reduce the need for individual adjustments for disabled students.
• Be the School’s Disability Liaison Officer, providing guidance and information to colleagues on student related disability-related issues in line with University guidance; facilitating liaison with Disability and Dyslexia Support Service as required to ensure that legislative requirements are met.
• Ensure local mechanisms are in place to identify and signpost students who may benefit from or be entitled to support from the University’s Student Support Services.
• Lead the management of the school’s student progression processes, including Extenuating Circumstances, Extensions, attendance and engagement matters, liaising closely with other members of the team to ensure effective student support.
• Working with the Student Experience Manager and colleagues in Student & Academic Services, develop and implement approaches to respond to the participation element of the institution’s Access and Participation Plan.
• Maintain oversight of the impact of welfare issues on student progression through the curriculum, and advise students on the options available to them in their…