Overview
Post Title: PLA for Sport, Public Service and Performing Arts
Salary Range: £23,493 - £25,078 pro rata, per annum
(Support Scale 5, Points 13-16)
£20,014.23 – £21,364.53 per annum - Salary estimation based on 37 hours per week, Term Time Only: 38 Weeks per year. For any roles that start part way through the academic year, the annual salary will be pro rata to the remaining months.
Contract: Permanent / Full Time / Term Time Only
Protection of Children and Young Persons (the Children’s Act 1989)
Any offers of appointment will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, a certificate of good conduct if applicable, plus receipt of satisfactory references, Occupational Health clearance, an understanding of safeguarding and qualifications verification. An Enhanced DBS check is required for this position as you will be working within Regulated Activity within a specific place (i.e. the College).
This role is classed as working within Regulated Activity. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. By applying for this position, you agree to an Enhanced DBS check in line with DBS regulations.
https://blob.wcg.ac.uk/pdf/child-protection-procedure-a5e67894d353c2adb6ac53c08ce6e758.pdf
Background to the Post
The Personal Learning Advisor (PLA) is responsible for delivering tutorials to groups of learners and individuals to meet study programme requirements. This includes monitoring the progress of students, delivering the pastoral tutorial programme; and providing support by signposting the students to other support services in the college. PLA’s will work with a defined caseload of individuals and cohorts of learners.
The PLA will report directly to an identified Head of Department and receive direction, support and supervision from the Tutorial Manager for tutorials for standardisation of practice, training and development.
Duties and Responsibilities
Ensure that the College tutorial entitlement is available to all their students and that pastoral support is delivered as appropriate. The main duties of a PLA are:
* Pastoral tutorial support.
* Attendance and lateness monitoring.
* Follow up on poor behaviour identified on the Tutorial Notification Form.
* Act as a conduit to facilitate access other student services in the College such as learning support, counselling and welfare.
* Maintaining the electronic tutorial records and At Risk Register.
* Ensuring cross-College surveys are completed as required.
* Supporting the development of the College’s behaviour framework.
* Supporting the development of employability skills via work placements and enterprise opportunities.
* Supporting career progression to university, an apprenticeship, employment or other destinations.
* To constantly improve attendance, punctuality and retention for all students.
Induction Duties
* Contribute to the student induction process with the course teams.
* Ensure any full-time students who start their courses are appropriately inducted into the College.
* Following students’ initial and diagnostic assessments ensure that they know how and where to access the appropriate English and/or maths classes, and how to access English and Maths support.
* Work with the inclusion team to ensure all students are supported on their programme.
* For students requiring special exam arrangements, ensure the appropriate documentation is supplied to the SENCo and Exams in a timely manner.
* Identify additional support requirements and make arrangements as per College policy to put these in place including medical protocols, PEEPS and appropriate risk assessments.
* Support the processes for providing financial support and pursuing additional grants and bursaries for students in particular regarding attendance and progress with studies.
Tutorial Duties
* Monitor the progress made by students including attendance, retention and completion of assessments.
* Conduct tutorials as guided including group and one-to-one tutorials.
* Support the students to set personal targets linked to employability, progress with their studies and personal and social goals.
* Regularly review and record progress using the electronic tutorial system as directed.
* Ensure support mechanisms are put into place to support students who are identified ‘at risk’ and/or in priority groups and update the at risk register.
* Follow up on any Tutorial Notification Forms received as a result of poor behaviour by students to determine if there is an underlying reason in the deterioration of behaviour that is having an impact on their studies.
* Follow up on any Commendation Forms received as a result of excellent behaviour by students to celebrate their good behaviour.
* Provide opportunities on a regular basis for the disclosure of support needs.
* Organise the delivery of themed resources in group tutorials and liaise with the Student Services team.
* Support the delivery of the College’s Employability Framework, by ensuring students complete the diagnostic assessment, and have the opportunity to record their personal development.
* Provide initial careers guidance for students by arranging talks with Student Services, including support in the preparation of personal statements as part of the UCAS process.
* Refer students, when necessary, to Student Services for counselling, the nurse, the Student Association or external agencies.
* Advocate and liaise, on behalf of students, with College staff, employers and external agencies.
* Ensure that where there is a concern regarding attendance, punctuality, behaviour, this is effectively followed up through actions identified and followed through with the appropriate records.
* Communicate with subject tutors and Heads of Department on issues such as student attendance, punctuality, behaviour and any items that impede successful achievement of their studies.
* Inform parents/guardians of any reason why their son/daughter may not achieve their qualification, specifically regarding poor attendance or missed/late work.
* Attend parents’ evenings where appropriate.
* Make arrangements for students to undertake College surveys as directed, from time to time.
* Use Student Record Envelopes to store paper correspondence and forms.
* Take part in staff development designed to support the PLA role.
* Attend regular PLA meetings on Friday afternoon until 4.00pm, usually held in the Leamington centre.
* Ensure the College’s Safeguarding, Equality and Diversity and Health & Safety policies and procedures are implemented fully in all activities and functions, to help the College reflect the demographic and gender mix of the catchment area within its programmes and courses, and maintain the highest possible health and safety for its students and staff.
In order to support during busy exam periods, you may be asked to undertake exam invigilator duties. The College will provide training.
The list of duties is not exhaustive but outlines the main features of the post at appointment and may vary as the job evolves without affecting the nature of the duties or the responsibility level.
Health and Safety
To ensure a safe working environment for colleagues, students, and visitors in line with the HASAW Act and the College Health and Safety Policy.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults for whom you are responsible and whom you come into contact with.
Working Weeks
This post is normally for 38 working weeks per year but this may be less if the post holder starts after the beginning of the academic year. Salary will be paid in equal monthly amounts across the academic year.
Hours of Work
The post holder will be expected to work such hours as are necessary for the proper performance of their duties and responsibilities, normally 37 hours per week. PLA hours are based on a case-loading model which includes up to 2 hours per week administration/training and development on a Friday afternoon until 16.00. Annual hours will be adjusted in November each academic year based on recruitment for the department where the PLA works. There is a 10% tolerance if the total hours are less than the PLA’s usual contract which is in place for one academic year, however the College may ask the PLA to support students from other academies if their hours are less.
Place of Work
The principal place of work will be the College’s premises based at our Rugby College. However, the post holder may be required to work on either a temporary or an indefinite basis at any premises at which we may provide services.
Offers of Work
For the successful candidate a conditional offer of work will be made. Our offer of work will be conditional upon a number of mandatory pre-employment checks, to include but not limited to: DBS, Barred List check, right to work check, internet search, TRA check (academic posts).
Employee Benefits
When you join WCG we offer you a whole host of employee benefits, including:
* Comprehensive training programme.
* Leadership & Management training programme to develop our next generation of managers.
* Superb health and wellbeing support with Wellbeing@WCG.
* The opportunity to join our voluntary health cash plan run by Health Shield.
* Discounted Full Cost Recovery courses.
* Cycle to work scheme.
* Discounted hair & beauty treatments in our college salons.
* Pension schemes.
* Free will writing service.
* Free on-site gym.
* Free car parking on-site.
Essential Attainments
* A professional, academic or vocational qualification at Level 3 or above in the subject area where you will be working.
* English language qualification at Level 2 (e.g. GCSE) or above or a willingness to undergo personal skills development to achieve Level 2 English during the first 12 months of the post.
* Experience of working with and supporting young people under 19 years old within the broad context of education.
* Ability to make own travel arrangements to all sites of Warwickshire College.
* Demonstrate excellent IT skills and have previous experience of using Microsoft Word and Excel.
* Effective administration skills and the ability to maintain accurate records.
* Confidence and ability to deliver to your student group the pre-designed tutorial content in subjects such as (but not limited to) wellbeing, progression, ESafety and Democracy
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £23,493.00-£25,078.00 per year
Application questions
* Do you have the ability to make your own travel arrangements to all sites of Warwickshire College when there is a need?
* Do you have experience of working with and supporting young people under 19 years old within the broad context of education?
Work Location: In person
#J-18808-Ljbffr