Specialist Mentor -ASC (6287)

Salary Scale £33,001.64 - £38,784.49 per annum (pro rata)

Contract Type: Permanent, Part-Time (Zero hours)

About the Role

The Specialist Mentor - Autism Spectrum Conditions (SM-ASC) role is largely funded by Student Finance and supports students in accessing their higher education studies by:

• Supporting students in understanding academic requirements in higher education.
• Identifying barriers to learning.
• Helping students develop effective organisation and time management skills to manage workload and deadlines.
• Assisting with prioritisation and realistic goal setting, including producing work plans and targets.
• Developing a support programme to facilitate student independence and reduce long-term support needs.

You will meet students regularly, usually in-person, providing support to help them reach their potential. This flexible role is primarily carried out on-campus between 9am and 5pm during university term-time (up to 30 weeks per year, mid-September to end of May). You may also support a smaller caseload of post-graduate students and resitting undergraduates during summer break.

The SM-ASC must not offer subject-specific support, tutoring, advocacy, or counselling. You should have in-depth knowledge and experience of autism and an understanding of higher education study demands. You must recognise when to refer students to other support services.

Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Appointments are typically made within 4-8 weeks of the closing date.

Responsibilities

• Work with students in a sensitive and empathetic manner, providing a safe, non-judgmental space and responding calmly to students in distress.
• Manage professional boundaries while establishing productive working relationships with students.
• Support students through transitions in their course, from initial orientation to preparation for life after university.
• Help students develop organisation and time management skills, including plotting assignment deadlines and prioritising workloads.
• Encourage students to regularly check email, Blackboard, and other communication platforms and act on them as needed.
• Assist students in meeting aspirations and targets through goal-setting activities.
• Facilitate student confidence and independence by reframing deficit thinking and understanding their condition.
• Help students manage social situations and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Monitor student engagement, health, and wellbeing, identifying risks and referring concerns appropriately.
• Maintain thorough and timely record-keeping and administrative processes.

Requirements

Essential:

• First degree and comprehensive training in adult autism as determined by the DfE mandatory qualification matrix to deliver DSA-fundable NMH support in the role of “Specialist Mentor - Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC)”.
• Full term-time availability to support a minimum of 8 students, including attendance at 3 mandatory staff meetings per semester and maintaining responsibility for own Continuing Professional Development.
• Ability to provide mentoring using a learner-centred, non-judgmental approach.
• Exceptional organisational skills to support students with executive functioning challenges.
• Professional listening, observation, and communication skills, with an understanding of social communication challenges.
• Ability to promote mentee independence through strategies such as goal setting, confidence building, and reframing.
• Excellent IT and administrative skills, including minuting/notetaking, Microsoft Excel, and database/timesheet/shared document platforms.
• Proven ability to remain calm and de-escalate challenging situations, referring safeguarding concerns appropriately.
• Full understanding of and cooperation with data protection and confidentiality procedures.
• Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level A1* or evidence of an ongoing commitment to learn Welsh to this level.

Desirable:

• Ability to work throughout the year to support postgraduate or resitting students.
• Understanding of the effects of trauma and co-occurring mental health conditions.
• Familiarity with UK disability and equalities legislation.
• Knowledge of the University’s structures and procedures.
• Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level C1*.

*More information on Welsh Language Levels can be found at: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/hr/policy-and-procedure/welsh-standards/

Benefits

• Flexible working policy.
• Hybrid working options for a 36.5-hour week (full-time roles).
• Generous leave entitlements: 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days.
• Commitment to professional development.
• Enhanced contribution to workplace pension schemes.
• Staff recognition and reward schemes.
• Opportunity to learn Welsh for free.
• Staff relocation bursary.
• Maternity, paternity, parental, and adoption leave.
• Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality, and retail on campus.

Aberystwyth University supports hybrid working, allowing a mix of office-based and remote work for suitable roles to enhance flexibility and productivity.

Employment Visa

This role does not meet the criteria for sponsorship under the UK Government’s Skilled Worker Route (SWR) application.