Senior Student Advocacy & Casework Lead

Reading Students' Union; Reading; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Inclusive working environment

Flexible working options

35 days annual leave

Professional development

Meaningful work

Campus-based workplace

Job summary

Reading Students' Union is seeking a Senior Advisor to join the Student Advocacy team at University of Reading. You will deliver independent, confidential advice to students on academic and housing matters, guiding them through procedures and helping them make informed choices.

In this part-time, office-based role, you’ll manage a varied caseload, support early interventions and contribute to service development, ensuring high-quality, compliant casework and a positive student experience.

Qualifications

• Essential advice qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Significant experience providing advice, advocacy or complex casework support.
• Experience managing a varied caseload from initial enquiry through to resolution.
• Ability to explain complex policies, procedures and information clearly.
• Experience supporting individuals through challenging situations with professional boundaries.
• Strong casework problem-solving and professional judgement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience maintaining accurate, confidential and compliant records.
• Understanding independent, impartial and confidential advice.
• Ability to identify patterns and emerging issues from casework.

Responsibilities

• Deliver independent, confidential and impartial advice across academic and housing matters.
• Manage cases from enquiry to resolution with timely support.
• Help students understand rights, responsibilities and options.
• Support students navigating complaints, appeals and university processes.
• Assist with housing matters, including contract checking.
• Prepare students for meetings, hearings and formal procedures.
• Make referrals to specialist services when needed.
• Adapt support to individual student needs and remove access barriers.
• Contribute to outreach, workshops and proactive support initiatives.
• Develop resources and guidance to prevent issues and enable early access.
• Identify opportunities for proactive interventions and campaigns.
• Maintain accurate case records and ensure data protection compliance.
• Support quality assurance and continuous improvement activities.

Skills

Advice skills

Advocacy

Complex casework

Communication

Problem solving

Decision making

Organisational skills

Microsoft 365

Education

Advice qualification or equivalent

Tools

Case management software

Job description

Reading Students' Union is seeking a Senior Advisor to join the Student Advocacy team at University of Reading. You will deliver independent, confidential advice to students on academic and housing matters, guiding them through procedures and helping them make informed choices.

In this part-time, office-based role, you’ll manage a varied caseload, support early interventions and contribute to service development, ensuring high-quality, compliant casework and a positive student experience.