Wellbeing Officer

The London School of Science & Technology is UK's largest and fastest growing independent higher education provider, with over 7000 students, 6 campuses and 3 university partnerships. Our mission is to become the leading provider of further and higher education that is inclusive, inspiring and free from barriers to learning.

The team behind LSST is passionately committed to transforming lives by providing excellent education. We believe no matter what your background, your age or personal circumstances, everyone deserves a second chance in life and access to a good education. We have one of the highest National Student Survey scores of 96.7%, placing us in the top 15 in the UK.

We are currently seeking to appoint a wellbeing Officer on a Full-time, permanent basis.

Job Purpose:

The overall aims of the post are to develop and grow mental health and welfare support services for students. The role is an integral post within Student Support Services providing support with, and case management of, student issues relating to general wellbeing, handling of course activities and assessments, transition, mental health support, money management and budgeting, as well as facilitating appropriate referrals to more specialist advice and services where necessary.

Th wellbeing Officer will be a trained professional able to provide support, advice and guidance to students across a range of academic and wellbeing challenges that could prevent them from engaging with the studies.

The job duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the nature of the role. The duties and responsibilities and the balance between the elements in the role may change or vary over time depending on the specific needs at a specific point in time, or due to changing needs in the department/LSST.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities for the roles:

• Provide helpful, accurate and expert welfare advice to students on a wide range of issues, tailoring the support service and welfare journey for each student to ensure it meets their needs.
• Support students with learning difficulties and health issues to better plan and handle course milestones including coursework and assessments
• Liaise with and refer students to, the wider support services in LSST, for example, Student Support or Academic Support Services.
• Provide psychological support on a one-to-one basis for students with mental health difficulties or students with a dual diagnosis of learning difficulties/mental health with associated behavioural issues.
• Work with other Disability and support teams to ensure that students can access suitable support and help them apply for appropriate external funding such as DSA.
• To assess and review specific support needs, carrying out detailed needs assessments of students presenting with complex issues or in crisis and liaising with relevant teaching staff to devise support plans.
• To take a pro-active approach to safeguarding good practice, responding to concerns and referring to appropriate services.
• Develop and deliver a range of communications to all students, prospective students and staff around student wellbeing and support, and regularly review and improve the effectiveness of these.
• Maintain records of student support and learning plans to ensure that they are kept up-to-date and accurate.
• Complete all reporting activities in a timely manner to inform and support the campus in identifying potential risks and proactive activities.
• To assess and review specific support needs, carrying out detailed needs assessments of students presenting with complex issues or in crisis and liaising with relevant teaching staff to devise support plans.
• As the Campus’s primary contact for implementing reasonable adjustments, ensure that the appropriate academic and professional service staff are made aware of all reasonable adjustments to the assessment process.
• Inform appropriate academic and professional services staff regarding changes and updates in practice and policy relating to student welfare and wellbeing.
• Provide and schedule regular drop-in sessions and clinics for students, so that students have an accessible and available contact point with welfare services.
• Acting as the coordinator with the students to submit requests, evidence and advise students in the collation of relevant information to support the panel’s decision-making process.
• As the Campus dedicated Wellbeing Officer, review and investigate absences to ensure that student welfare issues are pro-actively identified and managed appropriately.
• Provide support to colleagues and students at induction and welcome week and, as appropriate to, other relevant student engagement activities.
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Attending relevant committees, panels and meetings, as well as writing reports about the department performance.
• Any other duties as required by the Management commensurate with the grade of the post.

The post holder must respect the confidentiality of data stored electronically and by other means in line with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Note: The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. This job description will be regularly reviewed and at least prior to the annual appraisal.

Schedule: Includes evenings and weekends.