Open to current University of Northampton students who are care leavers/care experienced or with experience of being estranged. Based in the UK for the duration of the
About the :
Studying at university can be one of the most exciting times in your life but we understand that students from different backgrounds can face unique challenges. Without bespoke support, these challenges may mean a student does not achieve their full potential. That’s why we need you!
We are seeking a compassionate, resilient, and proactive Student Ambassador to support Care Leavers/Care Experienced and Estranged Students at the University of Northampton. This is designed to enhance the student experience by offering peer support, promoting relevant services, and helping students feel seen, heard, and valued.
Duties and responsibilities
As a Student Ambassador, you will work closely with a variety of university departments including the Student Futures team and the Widening Access Team (to support the student journey - from pre-enrolment to life as a graduate). You will help to shape our offer to care leavers and estranged students, raise awareness of support available, encourage engagement, and contribute to a more inclusive university environment.
We are committed to supporting our students to achieve their best. Therefore, we are happy to provide training on each point of our Key Responsibilities below.
• Act as a welcoming and approachable point of contact for Care Leavers/Care Experienced and Estranged Students.
• Promote and signpost students to internal university services (e.g., Student Futures, Financial Guidance, Counselling) and external organisations e.g. The Rees Foundation, Care Leaver Covenant.
• Build trusting relationships with students, understanding that this takes time and consistency.
• Build relationships with internal (university) and external (organisations such as All of Us) stakeholders.
• Liaise directly with the UON Press team and Student’s Union to actively promote National Care Leavers’ Month activities and events. To raise awareness and celebrate care leavers.
• Working with the relevant teams to support students’ pre-enrolment.
• Offer continued support with student enquiries and signpost to university services throughout the student journey.
• Working with Student Futures, to support students in navigating careers and employability resources, including CV writing, job searching, and interview preparation (training provided).
• Represent the university at schools’ engagement and outreach events (on and off campus), open days, and student forums, sharing lived experience where comfortable and appropriate.
• Assist the Student Futures team in creating inclusive promotional materials and short videos to raise awareness of support services.
• Always maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Attend training sessions and team meetings.
Skills and experience
Essential Criteria
• Must be a current University of Northampton student with lived experience as a Care Leaver/Care Experienced or Estranged Student.
• Passionate about supporting others and improving the student experience.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including sensitivity to potentially triggering conversations.
• Ability to remain resilient when faced with setbacks.
• Awareness of challenges faced in by Care Leavers/Care Experienced and Estranged Students education and/or the workplace.
• Willingness to learn and collaborate with university teams
Desirable Skills
• Experience of participation in either peer to peer support, volunteering, or student representation.
• Awareness of the support offered by the university and external organisations including Student Futures and Student Finance.
• Experience of delivering presentations to an audience.
Location
Waterside Campus