Dyslexia Advisor

Birmingham City University; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned educational institution in Birmingham is seeking a full-time Dyslexia Advisor to join their Student Inclusion Team. This role focuses on providing advice and support to students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs), particularly dyslexia, ensuring they receive appropriate assistance. You will manage a caseload, coordinate screening services, and contribute to creating an inclusive educational environment. Applications are welcomed from all backgrounds, promoting equality and diversity in the workplace.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 days per week on campus required.
• Significant experience in higher education supporting dyslexia.
• Ability to manage a substantial caseload.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the delivery of the dyslexia screening and diagnostic referral service.
• Support recruitment and training of study skills tutors.
• Develop effective communication strategies around dyslexia.

Skills

Experience assessing needs and providing one-to-one support

Knowledge of study skills techniques

Customer-facing service experience

Knowledge of current disability and equality legislation

Experience delivering training to staff

Knowledge of enabling technologies for SpLDs

Education

Degree level education

Level 5 qualification in Specific Learning Difficulties

Job description

Department Student Services Location Birmingham, West Midlands Salary £38,050 to £44,131per annum Permanent Post Type Full Time Release Date 23 December 2025 Closing Date 23.59 hours GMT on Tuesday 20 January 2026 Interview Date Monday 02 February 2026 Reference S125011-R

The Student Inclusion Team provides advice, information and support to disabled applicants and students, working with academic staff and professional services to create an accessible and inclusive environment. We are now seeking a full-time, permanent Dyslexia Advisor. This role will suit someone who has a strong interest in disability and equality within higher education, with substantial experience of screening students for dyslexia, putting appropriate support in place, and contributing to an inclusive learning environment. This role, alongside our SpLD Assessor, provides the core dyslexia expertise within the team.

Working alongside Disability Advisors and experienced colleagues across the team, you will coordinate our dyslexia screening service, make decisions about referrals for diagnostic assessments, liaise with diagnostic professionals, manage a caseload, and work closely with support workers and external stakeholders. You will also provide advice, guidance and training to colleagues across the University. You will not, as a rule, provide study skills support other than in exceptional cases, and the post does not involve completing dyslexia diagnostic assessments.

There will be the opportunity for a mixture of campus-based and home working. A minimum of three days per week on campus is required.

Job Purpose:

The Directorate of Student and Academic Services (SaAS) leads the development and delivery of high-quality student-facing services. The Directorate plays a central role in ensuring students have an excellent experience, providing services across the full student lifecycle—from enrolment to graduation. This includes everything from wellbeing support to ensuring new courses are correctly established. SaAS is currently undergoing a transformation programme aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the services that underpin our student experience.

The postholder will work closely with the Disability Support Manager to provide and develop advice and practical support for students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs), particularly dyslexia. This includes leading on screening and referral programmes for diagnostic assessments and supporting wider work across the service and Directorate.

Role Responsibilities:

• Assist the Disability Support Manager in the delivery and continual improvement of the dyslexia screening and diagnostic referral service.
• Support the recruitment, selection, training and induction of study skills tutors.
• Manage a caseload of students, including many who have other conditions as well as dyslexia, providing advice to them and colleagues working with them, implementing appropriate support and seeking solutions to complex challenges.
• Monitor service standards and ensure compliance with legal requirements and best practice.
• Develop effective ways of communicating with students, staff and stakeholders about dyslexia, including delivering training and awareness sessions.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Level 5 qualification in Specific Learning Difficulties.
• Significant experience assessing needs and providing one-to-one support to adults with SpLDs in a professional setting.
• Experience of managing a substantial caseload and maintaining accurate records.
• Experience of providing customer-facing services.
• Experience of delivering training to staff.
• Knowledge of enabling technologies and software useful for people with SpLDs.
• Knowledge and understanding of study skills techniques for students with SpLDs.
• Knowledge of current disability and equality legislation.

The Student Inclusion Team sits within Student Services, working alongside a range of other teams who are also focused on ensuring our students have the best experience possible at university and can fulfil their potential. Come and work in a friendly, supportive and professional team towards our vision of inclusion for all. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, including disabled people and people who identify as LGBTQ+.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to an environment that supports lawful free speech and academic freedom. We will continuously review and improve our policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that we are promoting these in all aspects of our operations. We believe that by working together, combining our many different backgrounds and life experiences, we will empower each other to reach our full potential.

The appointed candidate will normally be employed through our subsidiary company BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to enter the LGPS scheme will be able to do so and will be employed by Birmingham City University directly.