Job Description

Immediate posting - Grimsby Assessment Centre

Assessors will be required to work in a hybrid manner, both from the assessment centre and remote working from home.

Brief summary of the primary job purpose

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To deliver Disabled Students' Allowance (and other) Needs Assessments and produce the required Needs Assessment Report in accordance with the SLC model and the DSA quality standards and all relevant Key Performance Indicators. To complete all necessary follow-up work including responding to any new or existing (legacy students) queries received from the relevant Funding Body, Student or Disability Advisor. The role ensures that students receive appropriate, timely, and person-centred recommendations to support their access to higher education.

Main tasks and responsibilities

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Responsible to your line manager and the Managing Director for the following tasks and duties:

Assess the needs of students eligible for DSA (and other) funding via a Needs Assessment which is compliant and within the standards of the contractual requirements and existing quality standards.

This includes:

Preparing in advance for the assessment interview including researching course details, disability/medical evidence and appropriate assistive technology

To deliver assessments on-site and remotely based on the business need

Undertaking assessments of need for students in receipt of the DSA (and other) allowances to identify and recommend appropriate assistive technology, support services and adjustments to learning and teaching

Demonstrating a range of suitable assistive technology and specialist software during the needs assessment

Liaising with suppliers, course tutors, university disability officers and other external organisations to source relevant equipment, support and competitive quotes in accordance with funding body requirements

Producing confidential Needs Assessment Reports with the relevant recommendations, justifications and quotes within the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Responding promptly to any queries from Funding Bodies and Students on any reports, recommendations and quotes produced

Participating, producing the required work and giving input for audits

Keeping up-to-date with all relevant legislation, policies and updates relating to disabilities, government funding (DSA), equipment and software, higher education and support strategies

Carry out any other undertaking in-line with the span of the post as requested by line manager and/or Directors, such things to include; legacy student work, Quality Assuring NARs, pick up work based on business need (assessors on annual leave).

Contribute to continuous quality improvement initiatives and attend regular training and professional development.

Education and experience:

The required qualifications, necessary knowledge and practical experience to perform the job.

Essential:

Experience or an understanding of supporting individuals with a range of disabilities or complex needs.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Proven ability to produce clear, structured, and professional reports.

High level of IT literacy, including Microsoft Office.

Desirable:

At least three years within the DSA sector or Assessor of Needs role

Demonstrable working experience of assistive technologies and open and free source software, including an awareness of specialist software and adaptive technologies

Knowledge of the higher education sector and common barriers faced by disabled students.

Knowledge of relevant legislation and its implications, particularly in respect of the education sector

Knowledge of funding available to students with disabilities/learning difficulties/study skills needs (including the DSA)

Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the role

Key competencies:

The competencies skills and abilities that an employee must have to successfully perform the job.

Essential:

Ability to manage time effectively and meet deadlines.

Empathetic, professional, and student-centred approach.

Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusive practice.

Ability to learn to use new hardware and software products

Desirable:

Good interview/question techniques to solicit relevant details and obtain appropriate information to enable a suitable recommendation

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.

Disability Confident Scheme

As part of our commitment to becoming a Disability Confident Committed employer, we welcome and encourage applications from disabled candidates and are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. If you require adjustments at any stage, please let us know - we're happy to support you.

Under the Disability Confident scheme, we aim to offer an interview to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria for the role and apply under this scheme. To signal this in your application, you're welcome to use the following statement in your email:

"I would like to apply for this position under the Disability Confident scheme, and confirm that I have a disability or long-term health condition."

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From 30,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Health & wellbeing programme
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Little Coates DN34 5BQ

Reference ID: Reference ID: A2LDSAAssessor