Overview
Are you passionate about empowering students and making a tangible difference in their academic journeys? We're looking for dedicated Specialist Mentors to join our Disability and Dyslexia Support Service at the University of Sheffield. This is an opportunity to be instrumental in the support we offer our disabled students. Our current team of mentors is driven by a shared commitment to fostering academic progress, positively impacting students\' university experience and their outcomes. As a Specialist Mentor, you\'ll provide specifically tailored, one-to-one support, helping disabled students navigate and overcome barriers to learning that arise from their particular impairment.
You\'ll work with a diverse caseload, mentoring students with various and sometimes complex conditions, including, but not limited to, Autism Spectrum Conditions, ADHD, Mental Health conditions, communication or organisation difficulties, and medical conditions. Your focus will be on equipping students with practical strategies and effective management techniques designed to promote their independence and autonomy. You\'ll build professional working relationships, combining a person-centred approach with a deep understanding of each student\'s condition to support their academic progress. Ultimately, you\'ll play a pivotal role in empowering students to develop the essential skills and self-awareness needed for successful learning.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
* Work with students on a one-to-one basis identifying barriers and strengths to provide a person-centred support program which facilitates the growth of independence. Such support will usually be provided weekly or fortnightly both face to face and online.
* Use evidence-based and creative strategies that support attainment and progression to help students respond to the challenges of university study. As part of this, help with prioritisation, and goal setting, including the production of targets and plans of work.
* Identify, monitor and assess risks associated with individual students and action accordingly.
* Help students to reduce and cope with anxiety or emotional dysregulation through stress management approaches and techniques for well-being. In particular, to help students make transitions and deal with new situations.
* Respond to students’ queries, signpost and support them to problem solve. Assisting and empowering the student to communicate with academic departments.
* Work collaboratively with staff including Disability and Mental Health Advisers to inform and receive direction on student progress, crisis interventions and coordinated approaches to support and communication with academic departments.
* Support the development and delivery of induction and transition support, psychoeducation workshops, support groups and other service improvement activity.
* Keep accurate records of attendance and notes relevant to work undertaken following confidentiality and GDPR procedures.
* Identify and undertake regular professional development that is relevant to the role.
* Attend monthly supervision and team meetings and proactively contribute to the work of the team to develop working practices.
* Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn\'t match perfectly with this role\'s criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Essential (Applied at Application & Interview):
* Must have an undergraduate degree at level 6 (or above) and must be registered with a relevant professional body (e.g. BACP, HCPC, SWE). A list of acceptable professional body memberships is in the DSA DfE Mandatory Criteria for Band 4 Specialist Mentor (page 8 & 9).
* Strong commitment to Continuing Professional Development and self-reflection.
* Significant demonstrable experience of delivering one-to-one support in a professional capacity with professional boundaries.
* Knowledge of mental health conditions, ADHD and autism spectrum conditions including empathy for HE students.
* Ability to recognise and assess risk where students have fluctuating conditions, respond to distressed students and report as necessary.
* Excellent organisational skills and caseload management with accurate record keeping and regular reviews.
* Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving.
* Knowledge and understanding of the specific challenges disabled students may experience.
* Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
* Experience of supporting HE students with Mental Health difficulties and/or Autism to develop effective study strategies.
Desirable
* Further information available in the job description; please apply if you meet essential criteria.
Details
Grade
6
Salary
£32,080 - £36,636 per annum (pro rata for part time posts), with potential to progress to £39,906 per annum (pro rata for part time posts)
Work arrangement
2x Part-time, 21 hrs per week, 34.5 weeks per year
1x Part-time, 21 hrs per week, 52 weeks per year
1x Part-year 35hrs per week, 34.5 weeks per year
Line manager
Support Worker Service Manager/ Mental Health Adviser
Direct reports
None
Benefits
* A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
* Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
* Generous pension scheme.
* A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
* A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development.
* Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
* A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
* A range of generous family-friendly policies
* Paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
* Support for those going through the menopause
* Paid time off and support for fertility treatment
* And more
Additional Information
Closing Date: 22/10/2025
The University of Sheffield is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our staff and students. It is an offence to apply for this role if you have been barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Applicants will be subject to safeguarding checks in line with requirements. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to checks including childcare disqualification, DBS, medical, online and social media, eligibility to work, references, and suitability to work with children.
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