Student Welfare Officer

Job Reference: OCT20210250

Maternity cover until the end of April 2022

12 hours per week 3 hours per day for 4 days (schedule of hours and days negotiable)

Term-time only – 38 weeks

In November 2019 Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) became the first further education provider in England to achieve outstanding grades in every area of Ofsted’s recently reformed Education Inspection Framework (EIF).

The inspection report praised all areas of the College’s provision and acknowledged NSCG’s ‘positive, stimulating and safe learning environment’, ‘highly motivated staff’, and ‘learners’ exemplary behaviour and attitudes to learning’. It also highlighted the fantastic partnerships the College has with industry.

To read the full Ofsted report for Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, please visit the Ofsted Government website, select Find an Inspection Report and search for Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group.

The group is currently home to a population of over 5,000 full-time students and around 500 students on higher education programmes. We have over 4,000 part-time or adult learners and 2,000 apprentices where we work with over 800 individual employers. Our Sixth Form provision has a reputation for high academic achievement and excellence.

As part of the Student Services Team, the Student Welfare Officers are responsible for the further development of a supportive culture for learners across the College ensuring that the welfare and safeguarding needs of all students are met.  Liaising with other areas of the College including personal tutors as well as working directly with the learners, specific responsibilities are to identify those learners “at risk” of leaving or failing to achieve on their programmes of study and to implement strategies to minimise these risks.

To be successful you will be enthusiastic, have relevant experience of working with young people and have a good understanding of their needs and difficulties. You will be self motivated and able to support, motivate and inspire reluctant learners. You will have a relevant qualification at level 3 or equivalent, good organisational and record keeping skills as well as being a good communicator. A flexible approach to working hours is required to accommodate the needs of learners.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• To work within the curriculum team to identify learners who may require support because of one or more factors that place the learners “at risk” on their programmes.
• To work with learners and curriculum team to negotiate an appropriate plan of action to reduce these risk factors.
• To act as an independent impartial advisor on learner related matters, acting as an advocate for the learner, where appropriate.
• To arrange and implement regular one-to-one reviews with learners from the caseload.
• To follow the College’s safeguarding procedure taking appropriate action where necessary.
• To liaise with external agencies on behalf of the learner, where appropriate making external referrals.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Has relevant experience of working with young people and the ability to relate to them, an understanding of their needs and be able to inspire them.
• Knowledge and experience of Safeguarding.
• Has a relevant level 3 qualification or job experience.
• Is self motivated, enthusiastic, ability to take responsibility, make decisions and work on own initiative.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.

What’s in it for you?

The college offers and excellent benefits package which includes:

• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Excellent Training and Development Opportunities
• Term-time only working

How to apply

To apply for the role of Student Welfare Officer, please click ‘Apply Now’ to complete an online application form.

If you are applying via a jobs board, you will receive an email and link that will take you directly to our application form on the Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group website).

It would be appreciated, if on your supporting statement, you could indicate which College site would be your preference as your place of work.

The closing date for completed applications is 24 October 2021.

Interviews are to be held on: 1 November 2021 at Stafford

This college is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All college based positions are subject to enhanced DBS check and are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from all sectors of the community.