The Head of Student Support and Wellbeing Services will be responsible for the leadership, development, organisation, planning and overall management of the Student Administration, Support and Wellbeing Services. The postholder will ensure a range of services that deliver general and specialist information and advice to students alongside operational wellbeing and disability support. They will ensure that the services follow best professional and sector practice and are compliant with legislative and regulatory requirements.
The post holder will promote integration and collaboration between teams and the wider services at ArtsEd to meet specific needs and promote student wellbeing generally. Under the leadership of the Deputy Principal, the post-holder will be required to work in close collaboration with colleagues in the Schools of Acting and Musical Theatre and in other professional services departments. They will have line-management responsibility for the Student, Support and Welfare Officer, Counsellor, Skills Support Tutor and Gym and Wellbeing Coordinator posts. They will serve as a member of the HE Administration Management Team and institutional committees, sub-groups and working groups as required.
Key responsibilities
- Support the Deputy Principal in ensuring that ArtsEd meets the conditions of registration with the Office for students and the requirements of other regulatory and professional bodies. This includes the preparation for and management of any audit and review visits from these bodies.
- Act as a source of expertise for ArtsEd on matters related to student wellbeing and disability services, including relevant legislation and regulations, and to assist in the development and implementation of appropriate policies and procedures.
- Monitor and review service effectiveness to ensure continual improvement, developing quality frameworks and audits to facilitate external benchmarking, and provide appropriate reports when required in support of planning.
- Work proactively and in partnership with the course management teams, and with colleagues within the Higher Education Administration teams to ensure that student wellbeing and disability services are seamlessly coordinated within ArtsEd.
- Take lead responsibility for managing complex and high risk student welfare cases and serve as a Designated Safeguarding and Welfare Officer.
- Produce regular reports relating to the outcomes of student administrative, support and wellbeing mechanisms for senior academic committees and the Board of Trustees.
- Work with colleagues to ensure that published information around student support, wellbeing and disability services is regularly maintained across different media and is compliant with regulatory and professional bodies.
- Be proactive in identifying and escalating areas of risk to the student experience or institutional reputation.
- Together with colleagues in the HE Administration team and the Deputy Principal to play a key role in the review and development of student induction activities and information across the ArtsEd, in relation to Student Wellbeing.
- Line manage the Student Support and Wellbeing Officer, Counsellor, Skills Support Tutor and Gym and Wellbeing Coordinator.
- Build partnerships with local NHS services as well as other health and voluntary agencies to ensure a holistic joined up service for the benefit of students and staff.
- Ensure appropriate business continuity arrangements are in place.
- Oversee the production and use of a range of support and wellbeing guidance and learning resources for both students and staff to ensure student engagement and promote student wellbeing and inclusivity.
- Oversee the design, development and delivery of workshops for students and staff relevant to all aspects of student support and wellbeing and inclusivity.
- Oversee relevant areas for student engagement and feedback and be the main contact with the Student Union.
- Maintain up to date knowledge of Data Protection and Freedom of Information requirements and provide training and support to the team when policies change and/or issues arise.
- Undertake any other duties or tasks as the Deputy Principal may, from time to time, reasonably require. This may include support for graduation activities and the contribution to the broader work of the HE Administration Team
Additional Information
The post holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the Institution’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
The post holder must accept responsibility for ensuring that the policies and procedures relating to Health and Safety in the workplace are adhered to at all times.
The post holder must respect the confidentiality of data stored electronically and by other means in line with General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (GDPR) the Data Protection Act 2018.
The post holder must ensure that all work is carried out in professional and timely manner, with appropriate confidentiality and sensitivity.
The post holder must have a good understanding of and adhere to Safeguarding and welfare requirements as well as how to fully apply the Safeguarding and welfare rules when supporting students.
The post holder must promptly undertake required training necessary for the role as well as any institutional training required.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
- Educated to degree level or equivalent and commitment to continuing professional development
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of how student support, disability wellbeing services are managed in higher education, or similar, environment
- A clear understanding of the complexity of Higher Education in relation to key professional and compliance issues, legislation and sector practice in the areas of student support and wellbeing as well as an understanding of the services that underpin student support, wellbeing and disability services.
Experience
Previous experience of working in a higher education institution with an emphasis on student support, disability wellbeing services
Experience of working with relevant national organisations such as AMOSSHE
Experience of student case management, Safeguarding and working within the related regulations and policies
Experience of producing high quality written reports and Committee administration and support.
Experience of designing and delivering training
Experience of working across all areas of Student Support, Wellbeing and Disability services with a proactive, student-centred approach
Experience of ensuring service delivery continually meets the highest standards and addressing issues where necessary
Experience of working with a range of people and stakeholders, at different levels, within an organisation.
Skills and Abilities
Ability to communicate complex information in an effective, concise and tactful manner, both orally and in writing with excellent attention to detail
Ability to analyse and disseminate information efficiently and effectively including providing information and advice to colleagues on matters related to frameworks for quality and standards and enhancement to support decision making
Proficient IT skills across a wide range of applications, including general Office software.
Excellent organisational skills with the ability to organise, delegate and plan effectively across competing priorities.
Able to negotiate, network professionally and influence across organisational boundaries to deliver a timely positive outcome diplomatically.
Ability to work to professional standards with integrity, honesty and confidentiality.
Ability to lead and motivate staff
Please visit artsed.co.uk/careers for more information and to apply.
Supporting Documents for Head of Student Support and Wellbeing Services
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For further information and to apply: https://artsed.co.uk/about-us/careers/
