The University of Kent Disability team is looking to recruit to our pool of Educational Support Assistants, providing hourly paid support to students.

Educational Support Assistants provide one-to-one (non-medical) academic support for undergraduate and post-graduate students studying at the Canterbury or Medway campus. Students register with a range of physical and mental health concerns, including Autistic Spectrum, ADHD, sensory impairments, or medical conditions. Students may need assistance in the completion of lecture and seminar notes. The ESA’s role is to faithfully convey the subject, content and spirit of the speaker. If the student requires a typed version of the notes, then this should be agreed at the outset, via the Disability Adviser. You would not be expected to create a verbatim transcript of the lecture.

Duties can include providing library support to the students, such as collecting books and catalogue searching, printing information from websites and department archives, and adapting materials into appropriate formats: e.g. typing notes and documents, producing audio recordings, photocopying and scanning. The post holder may be asked to work as an Exam Scribe or Reader (amanuensis) during the performance of in class tests.

The post holder must exercise personal responsibility and judgement when working with identified students in a study support context, this means that you will assert your professional boundaries in such a way that the student recognises you as a member of staff and that you will pass on any concerns about student welfare.

The post holder is required to be available during term time (September-December and January-April). Please consider that you are required to be flexible when arranging support work, according to the individual needs of the students, within limits set by the Disability Team Manager.
Applicants for the role are required to be educated to degree level or equivalent. A CACDP Certificate in Note taking, or equivalent recognised qualification for note-taking in higher education, or qualifications in counselling, teaching or mental health work would be desirable. ESAs must have excellent record keeping and organisation skills; a good standard of written English; excellent communication skills (verbal and interpersonal skills). You would have the enthusiasm to motivate others to succeed; an ability to work efficiently and calmly under pressure; a high level of awareness of ‘boundary issues’ which may arise when working closely with students. Experience of working with people in post-compulsory education, or evidence of working with people in a welfare or related capacity and knowledge of higher education institutions and the practices and processes therein are also desirable.

Last and not least, you would have the ability to maintain confidentiality regards the students you are working with and pass on any concerns to the line manager.

To apply for this post please email: educationalsupport@kent.ac.uk

For more information please call Tom Sharp on 01227 823158 or email t.r.sharp@kent.ac.uk

Closing date: Friday 23rd August 2019

Interviews to be held on Tuesday 10th September 2019

Training day expected to be held on Tuesday 17th September 2019

Expected start date Monday 23rd September 2019