Job Details
• Job title: Specialist Mentor for Students with Asperger Syndrome or Autistic Spectrum Conditions
• School/Support Department: Student Disability Service
• Salary: Grade UE07, part-time (sessional, Evenings only), £25.13 per hour (inc. Annual Leave Allowance)
• Line manager: Assistant Director: Student Support

Job Purpose
• To provide structured support on a 1:1 basis for students with Asperger Syndrome or Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC).
• To provide tools and techniques to enable students to define and recognise their difficulty and explore solutions.
• To provide support with study skills in order to ensure students are fully accessing their learning and achieving their potential.

Main Responsibilities

Planning and Organising
• Plan and monitor the development of study skills
• Maintain regular contact with students; keep written records of meetings and follow-up on non-attendance.
• Contribute to the further development of the support of students with ASC in the University.

Problem Solving
• Use professional skills to assist students to define their difficulties and find solutions.
• Ensure needs of student are recognised and appropriately addressed while maintaining the academic integrity of their studies.
• Use initiative and professional expertise to find non-standard solutions to individual problems.

Decision Making
• Decide what practical study-related help is required for each individual student.
• Decide on the frequency and nature of the mentoring contact and liaise with Advisory staff within the Student Disability Service to ensure adequate funding is in place.

Key Contacts/Relationships
• Report directly to the Assistant Director: Student Support of the Student Disability Service
• Liaise with advisory staff regarding students’ support, particularly if issues require escalation.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Needed for the Job
Essential
• Qualified to Degree level or equivalent
• Comprehensive learning in adult autism, ideally 5 National Autistic Society core online modules and/or a Post Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Autism or other recognised qualification in the field of autism
• At least 2 years of experience of working with adults with ASC in a 1-1 setting
• Awareness of equality and data protection legislation, confidentiality and duty of care issues
• Excellent interpersonal skills and empathy
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Desirable
• Knowledge of curriculum delivery and forms of assessment with experience of undertaking study skills tuition and other support functions for students in higher education
• Knowledge of external support agencies within Edinburgh and the support that is available for people with ASC high level of awareness of boundary issues and of other professional and ethical issues
• Close attention to detail with a logical approach to problem solving
• Experience of working in a team
• Confidence in working independently with learners
• Computer literate with knowledge of Microsoft office

Dimensions
With over 40,000 students and more than 10,000 staff, the University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s leading universities. Currently, over 4,000 disabled students attend the University, and it is the role of the Student Disability Service to provide support to these students and to promote disability equality across the institution.
• Providing direct personal support for up to 12 students according to availability and demand
• Reporting to Assistant Director: Student Support regarding work progress and availability for work.

Job Context and any other relevant information
Working hours will vary depending on the number of students requiring support; the post-holder is therefore required to work flexibly

Application Procedure

All applicants should apply online by clicking the apply link at the bottom of this page and submitting an up to date CV. The application process is quick and easy to follow, and you will receive email confirmation of safe receipt of your application. The online system allows you to submit a CV and other attachments.

We anticipate interviews will be held on Thursday 22nd November 2018. You will be notified by email whether you have been shortlisted for interview or not.
The closing date is 5pm on 9th November 2018.

Eligibility to Work

In accordance with UK legislation the University of Edinburgh, as an employer, has a legal responsibility to prevent illegal working and therefore must check that all employees are entitled to work in the United Kingdom (UK).

To do so, the University requires to see original documents evidencing right to work in the UK before commencement of employment and this is normally carried out at interview. Details will be provided in any letter of invitation to interview.

For further information on eligibility to work please visit our eligibility to work website

In the circumstances where the vacancy does not meet the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) criteria for sponsorship the successful applicant must have the existing right to work in the UK or individual circumstances which enable permission to work to be obtained.

For further information about whether you require a visa and other visa routes please visit the GOV.UK website

Conditions of Employment

Pension Scheme
This role is grade UE07 and therefore the post holder is automatically included in membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), subject to the USS membership criteria, unless they indicate that they choose not to join the Scheme.

For further information please visit our Pensions website .

Salary

The role is grade UE07 and attracts an annual salary of £33,199 to £39,609 for 35 hours each week. Salary is paid monthly by direct transfer to your Bank or Building Society account, normally on the 28th of the month. Salaries for part-time staff are calculated on the full-time scales, pro-rata to the Standard Working Week.

Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) (insert if applicable)

This post is subject to registration with the Protection of Vulnerable Groups scheme, for regulated work with children and/or protected adults as appropriate. Employment in this post is conditional on the successful post holder being able to obtain/holding PVG scheme membership. The successful candidate will not be permitted to commence employment until this has been confirmed.

Information provided will be kept confidential and individuals will not be discriminated against unnecessarily due to non relevant offending background. If you require further information on the PVG scheme please visit Disclosure Scotland PVG scheme

The University reserves the right to vary the candidate information or make no appointment at all. Neither in part, nor in whole does this information form part of any contract between the University and any individual.