Disabled Students’ Allowances Assessor

Student Support & Wellbeing Directorate

Grade 7: - £34,304 - £40,927 per annum
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date: 16-Jun-2022, 6:59:00 AM

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

The Department and role purpose:

Durham University Assessment Centre (DUAC) is a sub-section of the Disability Support Service, which operates as part of the Directorate of Student Support and Wellbeing.

Disability Support operates as part of the Directorate of Student Support and Wellbeing. It is the central specialist university service dedicated to providing academic related support, advice and guidance for disabled students to enable them to access a wide range of services. Disability Support also provides advice and guidance for university staff in meeting the institution’s duties to disabled students within the context of disability equality legislation and inclusive practices. The service operates with three sub sections: - The Specialist Disability Support Service, Durham University Assessment Centre (DUAC) and Durham University Specialist Study Support Service (DUSSSS).

The purpose of the role is to conduct assessment of need for disabled students, for the purposes of Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) funded support, in accordance with the funding body regulations. 

Assessors undertake comprehensive, student-focussed assessments tailored to students’ disabilities. This involves the use of advanced interview skills and the demonstration and evaluation of assistive technology. Assessors work autonomously, using their professional judgement to recommend optimum learning strategies and/or resources to enable students to succeed in higher education. They are accountable on many levels for their recommendations, as they are advocating the distribution of public funds to assist individuals. Therefore, they work within strict criteria, transparently and to the highest professional standards. 

Core responsibilities:

• Recognised professional practitioner (DSA Needs Assessor), as identified by appropriate internal and external funding bodies.
• Implement changes to the design and development of service processes, techniques and deliverables for one or more service strands or project streams as directed by line management and in accordance with externally imposed regulations.
• Provide specialist expertise and support by ensuring knowledge of, and skills in using, specialist assistive software and enabling technology are kept up-to-date and that knowledge of appropriate transport and non-medical help (NMH) suppliers remains current.
• Contribute to development of operational service activities to ensure excellence in the stakeholder experience, in line with the requirements of the awarding bodies and any internal guidance.
• Collect and analyse stakeholder feedback to help define needs and requirements and contribute to the design and planning of services.
• Internal and external relationship development and partnership working, networking and participation to engage and influence future services and the University reputation.
• Identify, demonstrate and recommend appropriate enabling technological or NMH solutions to disabled clients with a diverse range of needs and support them in evaluating appropriate support solutions, as funded by the DSA scheme, in order to assist them meet learning objectives and outcomes.
• Deliver training and/or development delivery for either internal or external stakeholders as appropriate.
• Maintain an awareness of current policy nationally and internally within the University in order to inform business goals; maintain specialist knowledge and be able to provide advice.
• Contribute to and lead business meetings, working groups and sub-committees, at departmental and operational service levels.
• Responsible for managing the essential store of specialist equipment as mandated by any awarding body and in accordance with their criteria; ensuring its ongoing maintenance, replacement and overseeing the purchase and installation of any additional or replacement equipment as and when required, ensuring appropriate records are kept in line with appropriate regulations and internal financial procedures. 

Role responsibilities:

• Manage clients’ (and other stakeholders’) expectations to contribute to the successful operation of DUAC in line with internal and external guidance by conducting comprehensive, student-focussed Needs Assessment interviews tailored to the client’s disability and in accordance with any regulatory body requirements.
• Contribute to the management and monitoring of service performance and provide metrics and reports to Line Manager and other key stakeholders in the Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) process as required.
• Participate in and monitor communities of practice and partnership working internally and externally.
• Network and engage with external and internal stakeholders to gather feedback and identify future service needs, to ensure excellence in service provision.
• Contribute to the development of operational and strategic plans and service level agreements.
• Ensure recommendations to external stakeholders for the allocation of public funds are sound, justifiable and the most cost-effective solution possible whilst balancing this with the diverse needs of disabled service/DSA scheme users.  
• Produce and analyse statistical service metrics to identify successful delivery and areas for future improvement.
• Produce and distribute detailed DSA Needs Assessment Reports (NARs) to relevant stakeholders in accordance with regulatory body specifications and key performance indicators (KPIs) and to agreed internal timelines.
• Plan, implement and monitor continuous service improvements to enhance the delivery of stakeholder services.
• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders using appropriate media and methods.
• Provide training and/or instruction of stakeholders.
• Develop, modify and optimise service protocols and methodologies.
• Deliver support elements of the wider student experience.  
• Any other reasonable duties.

Specific role requirements

Assessors will be based at the Durham Assessment Centre in Durham. On rare occasions they may be required to undertake Needs Assessments elsewhere. This to be agreed with the Line Manager in advance.

Assessors will work Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. It is expected they will contribute to any out of hours e.g.open days as requested.

Working Arrangements

At Durham we recognise that our staff and students are our greatest asset and we want to support the health and wellbeing of all.  Hybrid working supports this ethos and provides many benefits to our colleagues, including empowering people, where their role allows, to work in a manner which is more suitable for them, whilst encouraging our commitment to environmental sustainability.

Depending on the needs of the business and the job role, Durham University is piloting hybrid working for all Professional Services colleagues in the academic year 2021/2022, which may include the opportunity to work both on and off campus and to flex working hours. If appointed to the post, your line-manager will discuss the specific arrangements with you. Any hybrid arrangements are non-contractual and may change within the pilot and when the pilot ends.

Reward and Benefits

To support the delivery of the University's People Strategy to attract, retain and reward the very best, we offer a fantastic range of rewards and benefits  to our staff, including:

• 30 days annual leave, plus 4 customary days and 8 bank holidays (pro-rata for part time) and the option to purchase additional leave;
• Automatic enrolment into a pension scheme;
• Corporate and local discounts;
• Wellbeing resources and discounted health benefits;
• Health discounts on sports and activities at Maiden Castle Health and Activity Centre;
• Reward and Recognition Schemes;
• Personal and career development;
• And SO much more, with further information available here

Recruiting to this post

In order to be considered for interview, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification.  In some cases, the recruiting panel may also consider the desirable criteria, so we recommend you evidence all criteria in your application.  

Please note that some criteria will only be considered at interview stage.

How to apply 

We prefer to receive applications online.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

Information if you have a disability

The University welcomes applications from disabled people. We are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system, please get in touch with us on [email protected] .

What you are required to submit 

Please ensure that you submit all documentation listed above or your application cannot proceed to the next stage.

Contact details 

For further information regarding this post, please contact; Marie Sewell ([email protected] ) 

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to [email protected]

We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.

At Durham University, our aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

As a University we foster a collegiate community of extraordinary people aligned to the University’s values . Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive, and in doing so, recruit the world’s best candidates from all backgrounds and identities. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

Person specification - skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience required

Essential Criteria:

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of being able to network effectively and develop strong and productive working relationships, to influence perceptions of the University.
• A recognised teaching and/or training qualification.

Realising Your Potential Approach

The Realising Your Potential Approach clarifies the behaviours expected to be demonstrated by all staff across Professional Services in the University regardless of their role. Along with the core responsibilities, role responsibilities and the person specification, the Realising Your Potential Approach behavioural indicators are used to inform the recruitment and selection process. Further information on the Realising Your Potential Approach is available here.

Developing myself and others

Showing commitment to own development and supporting and encouraging others to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential for the wider benefit of the University.

Embracing Change

Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, demands and changing roles. Seeing change as an opportunity and being receptive to new ideas. 

Respecting Others

To embrace diversity by promoting and maintaining an inclusive and supportive work and study environment that enables all members of our University community to achieve their full potential.

PROVIDING LEADERSHIP AND DIRECTION - Seeing the work that you do in the context of the bigger picture and taking a long-term view. Communicating vision clearly and enthusiastically to inspire and motivate others.

Finding Solutions

Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically and with creativity to analyse problems and develop innovative and workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation

Providing excellent student support services and professional support

Providing the best quality service to all our students, customers and stakeholders. Building genuine and long-term relationships through everyday interactions in order to drive up service standards and to enhance their experience.

Using resources effectively

Making effective use of available resources including people, information, networks and budgets. Being aware of the financial and commercial aspects of the University

Achieving results

Planning and organising workloads to ensure that deadlines are met within resource constraints. Consistently meeting objectives and success criteria

Job Family: Community, Participation and Engagement Services

OUR CHARACTERISTICS: We are a globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, in a unique and historic setting.

OUR VALUES: We are inspiring, challenging, innovative, responsible and enabling.

Durham University

Durham University is one of the world's top universities with strengths across the Arts and Humanities, Business, Sciences and Social Sciences. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.

The University sits in a beautiful historic city where it shares ownership of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral, the greatest Romanesque building in Western Europe. A collegiate University, Durham recruits outstanding students from across the world and offers an unmatched wider student experience.

Durham University seeks to promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for work and study that assists all members of our University community to reach their full potential. Diversity brings strength and we welcome applications from across the international, national and regional communities that we work with and serve.

It is expected that all staff within the University:

• Contribute to our learning culture by engaging in mentoring, training and coaching.
• Positively contribute to fostering a collegial environment; as well as demonstrating commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Have due regard to Health and Safety requirements appropriate to grade and role.

Family key attributes

Roles in this family provide an excellent stakeholder experience for our diverse and supportive community.

Overall family purpose

• Provide excellent student support services, development and extra-curricular activities.
• Align and deliver programmes and activities to meet operational and strategic objectives to enhance the stakeholder experience.
• Respond to stakeholders at the point of service delivery, either in situ or remotely.
• Facilitate the development of excellent colleague and academic engagement.
• Provide a stakeholder focussed service designed to increase widening participation and diversity.
• Promote the Durham reputation by establishing and broadening national and international community links to enhance the cultural and economic viability of the City and region.
• Enhance the Durham wider student experience by developing extra-curricular activities.
• Contribute to and enhance active, inclusive and supportive communities of stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively and network across the University with staff in other families to ensure a smooth, timely and high-quality delivery of service.
• Engage with suppliers, consultants and specialist professionals to deliver programmes and activities to enhance the stakeholder experience.
• Engage and encourage outreach and participation with external professionals, schools, alumni and donors.
• Engage and network with both internal and external stakeholders to facilitate knowledge exchange and impact through local, national and international communities.

Link to key strategic plan

• An economically and environmentally sustainable approach to delivering stakeholder focussed services across the University;
• A world-class student, alumni and donor experience;
• Focussed on the needs of all users working together to deliver front-line services as part of the Wider Student Experience;
• Learn from and match best practice in the Wider Student Experience around the world;
• Opening up our world-class sporting facilities to local clubs and athletes;
• Support and facilitate activities as part of the Widening Student Experience at Durham;
• A stakeholder-focused orientation, offering satisfying careers to all staff;
• Ensure that an increasingly diverse workforce is treated equally, fairly and with respect, and that all staff are demonstrably valued and actively engaged.

DBS Requirement: Please note that the succesful applicant will require DBS disclosure.