Specialist One to One Study Skills Support (SS-ASC) - #2192972

Specialist One to One Study Skills Tutors provide highly specialist, specifically tailored, one to one support which helps students address the barriers to learning created by an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). Students needing this type of support may have more complex difficulties that need a sophisticated understanding of available support mechanisms. A Specialist One to One Study Skills Tutor will work with the student to identify and devise strategies to deal with disability related difficulties, but not provide subject-specific tuition.

For some students this support will need to be ongoing while for others it might be gradually phased out or only be required at certain points of their course.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• To support students to manage the barriers to learning that arise due to an ASC.
• To create an individual learning plan for each student that determines how you will work together over the academic year.
• To consider the student's needs and plan a strategy of support with the student.
• To work at a high level of competence with students, who may have complex needs, enabling them to engage meaningfully with the institution and their studies.
• To maintain appropriate boundaries with the student, by defining the purpose and confines of the Specialist One to One Study Skills role.
• Establish appropriate modes and times of communication, observing the student's preferred method of communication.
• To assist students in developing independent learning strategies to enable them to overcome difficulties encountered as a result of ASC. This will include coaching in some or all of the following areas:
• organisation, executive functioning, and time management skills.
• interpreting assignment briefs, understanding academic expectations, and literal vs. nuanced language comprehension.
• managing sensory overload, academic anxiety, and navigating the university environment.
• lecture preparation and note-taking techniques, assignment planning, essay writing and research method skills, revision and exam techniques.
• strategies for engaging in group work, presentations, and effectively communicating with academic staff.
• To work with the student to identify and devise strategies to deal with disability related difficulties but not to provide subject-specific tuition.
• To encourage students to make full use of any assistive technology provided by the DSA.
• To maintain a professional relationship with the student.
• To act in the best interests of students at all times whilst also working within the policies and procedures of the University.
• To ensure student confidentiality, professionalism and respect is maintained at all times.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills:

Essential:

• Degree or equivalent qualification.
• Knowledge of, and experience within a Higher Education setting.
• Previous experience of one-to-one tuition or mentoring with adults and/or children with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).
• Knowledge of the barriers ASC may present in higher education.
• Tutoring study skills, executive functioning, and communication techniques.
• Ability to identify ways of helping students to build on their learning strengths.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Commitment to principles of equality of opportunity.
• Understanding of confidentiality issues and role boundaries.
• Have awareness of Safeguarding and be suitable to work with learners 16+.
• Relevant specialist qualifications or mandatory training required for DSA-funded ASC support (e.g., comprehensive NAS training or equivalent autism-specific professional body membership).