Head of Disability Support

The University 
 
At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.   

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here

The Disability Support Service

The Disability Support Service is part of the Student Support and Wellbeing Directorate within the Colleges and Student Experience Division.  Disability Support is a University-wide service providing specialist advice and guidance for disabled students and staff working with disabled students, whether that is academic related or in another supportive capacity.

The Head of Disability Support role

The Head of Disability Support leads the University’s efforts to provide an accessible and inclusive student experience for disabled students. This is accomplished through the leadership of a multi-disciplinary team who, in partnerships with Academic Departments and Colleges, determine reasonable adjustments so that students with disabilities are fully integrated into the academic life of the University and can benefit from all elements of the wider student experience. This work incorporates leadership and delivery of the Disability Support Service. The Head is responsible for developing strategy and direction for the University’s engagement with disabled students, including making a significant contribution to the delivery of an inclusive approach to learning and teaching. The Head is also responsible for the administrative functions of the Office including directing and supervising staff, managing budgets and income generation. 

The Head ensures that training, technical assistance and consulting services are delivered to staff and students including reasonable adjustments, inclusive learning and teaching practices as well as information regarding the legislative framework for disabled people. 

The Head works collaboratively with other key stakeholders including academic staff, College staff and student representative groups. This is both informal and formal through membership of the appropriate University governance Committees where issues affecting disabled people are considered.

As a key member of the wider Student Support and Wellbeing Directorate management team, the Head is expected to contribute to wider strategies and initiatives that enhance the support for students across the University. This includes providing expert leadership, advice and guidance, representing the Directorate/University externally, actively participating in relevant committees, and staying ahead of sector trends and best practices.  The Head will also deputise for the Director of Student Support & Wellbeing, as required.
 
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. 
 
Working at Durham  
 
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:  
 
•    30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.   
•    The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
•    We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be  automatically enrolled  into this University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. 
•    There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.  
•    Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. 
•    On site nursery is available and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.
•    Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). 
•    The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community 
•    Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.  
•    A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.  
•    If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. 
 

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.   As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  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. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. 
 
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.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, 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, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification  
  
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.    
  
Your application should cover the following criteria:  

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1.     Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience). 

2.     A professional qualification in Disability Studies, Social Work, Higher Education Administration, Developmental Education, Counselling, Psychology, Special Education, or a related area.

3.     Professional practitioner with substantial experience in providing leadership and management of disability support services within a large complex organisation.

4.     Expert knowledge of a wide range of disabilities and their impact upon students to influence service delivery, events and activities within the organisation.

5.     Exceptional skills in engaging and prioritising business requirements from senior stakeholders, with excellent interpersonal abilities for negotiation and influence.

6.     Experience of leading a multi-disciplinary team and a proven ability to inspire confidence in others in relation to disability support issues.

7.     Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation.

8.     Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.

9.     Track record of cross-functional management and development experience and/or an enhanced management qualification applied across a large service team or teams.

10.  Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.

11.  Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels.

12.  Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

Desirable Criteria

13.  NADP Accredited Member or Senior Accredited Member or similar accreditation

How to apply 
 
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). 
 
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.    
 
Submitting your application  
 
We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about 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 make sure you have not missed any of our updates. 
 
What you need to submit 
 
•    A CV: and    
•    A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.     
 

Contact details    
 
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Sam Dale, Director of Student Support and Wellbeing, [email protected].
 

Typical Role Requirements  

Service Delivery/Development

·         Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

·         Oversee and manage professional and regulatory standards and policies relating to activities carried out by Disability Support.

·         Use your leadership and management expertise to implement any significant changes in the optimal way, in collaboration with other senior managers and specialists.

·         Lead on the development of new areas of work or activities including scoping, planning and implementing any changes to achieve the outcomes expected by senior colleagues.

·         Look for innovative ways to continually improve the services provided to your stakeholders.

·         Develop and implement new or improved policies, processes and standards.

·         Use your professional knowledge and experience as a disability specialist to resolve problems, shape processes and activities, develop systems and to provide subject matter expertise and advice.  Utilise IT systems effectively to provide the best possible service for stakeholders.

·         Support quality and regulatory audits to ensure that system and processes are operating in an optimal and compliant way.

·         Provide specialist insight that enables data driven decisions to be made about Disability Support.

·         Ensure that Disability Support is delivered in a way that supports the wider student experience

·         Design and deliver activities that generate external income.

Planning and Organisation

·         Use your expertise to help develop strategic plans and business plans that cover a wide range of operational activities.

·         Define what needs to be achieved so that other colleagues can scope, plan and implement large scale/University wide initiatives such as the new Student Support Model and the underpinning Student Support Information and Management System.

·         Use your leadership expertise to help project teams understand what needs to be achieved, solve any problems that are encountered and keep implementation plans on track.

·         Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources.

Leadership and Team Development

·         Set operational and strategic objectives and use your leadership and management skills, to develop the people in your team(s) and ensure high standards of performance.

·         Help shape the skills and expertise needed to deliver a professional service by recruiting, inducting and training team members and structuring your team(s) in way that will best meet operational and strategic priorities.

·         Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members and considering succession plans.

·         Carry out regular performance reviews with colleagues to provide feedback on objectives and identify any development needs.

·         Handle most HR issues and support the welfare and wellbeing of your team, taking advice on more complex issues to specialist services or senior managers.

Communication/Liaison

·         Lead internal and external meetings and committees to influence University policy, standards and governance.

·         Build and lead an influential network of internal and external contacts to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and use that information to improve and develop Disability Support.

·         Identify opportunities to build relationships with external organisations to support the delivery of strategic level objectives.

·         Research new approaches being taken by internal and external stakeholders such as NADP, OfS, UUK, AMOSSHE, so that you can take these insights into account when developing Disability Support.

·         Explore options to promote the University’s reputation and increase engagement in events and activities being delivered by Disability Support.

·         Any other reasonable duties.

     
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 Privacy Notices - Durham University  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

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.