Specialist Academic Support Worker

Confidential; Farnham; On-site; GBP 6,800 - 12,000; Part time

Job summary

Confidential at the University for the Creative Arts, Farnham campus, seeks a Specialist Academic Support Worker to provide one-to-one support for a student with Auditory Processing Disorder. This is a part-time role, 10–17 hours per week during term time, with a pay rate of £13.00 per hour.

The role involves in-class and post-class support to capture key details and assist with communication with teaching staff to bridge learning gaps.

Qualifications

• Excellent listening skills and strong written communication.
• High level of patience, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to spot key details quickly.
• Confidence in liaising with academic staff and advocating for a student.
• Reliability and punctuality for scheduled campus timetable hours.

Responsibilities

• Provide real-time support during lectures, seminars, and practical classes.
• Use visual cues, written notes, and whiteboard reference points to reinforce spoken instruction.
• Help identify and highlight key information, deadlines, and core concepts during fast-paced teaching.
• Assist the student in communicating effectively with teaching staff.
• Conduct short, structured follow-up sessions immediately or after classes to review material and fill information gaps.

Skills

Excellent listening

Written communication

Patience

Empathy

Organizational skills

Liaising with academic staff

Reliability

Punctuality

Job description

Specialist Academic Support Worker (Auditory Processing Disorder)

Location: University for the Creative Arts (UCA) - Farnham Campus

Hours: 10 to 17 hours per week (Term-time only)

Pay Rate: £13.00 per hour

Start Date: September (Academic Year)

About the Role

We are seeking a patient, proactive, and attentive Academic Support Worker to provide one-to-one assistance to a university student with an Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) at the UCA Farnham campus.

Because APD impacts how spoken information is processed, the student may not always realise when key details have been missed during lectures and workshops. As a support worker, your presence in class will be vital-you will act as an extra pair of eyes and ears to help bridge communication gaps, ensure key points are captured, and facilitate post-class reflection.

Key Responsibilities

In-Class Support

• Reassurance & Guidance: Offer real-time, encouraging support during lectures, seminars, and practical classes.
• Visual & Written Prompts: Use visual cues, written notes, and whiteboard reference points to reinforce spoken instruction.
• Information Extraction: Help identify and highlight key information, deadlines, and core concepts during fast-paced teaching.
• Communication Support: Assist the student in communicating effectively with teaching staff.
• Clarification: Ask clarifying questions during class on the student's behalf when appropriate.

Post-Class Clarification Sessions

• Conduct short, structured follow-up sessions immediately or shortly after classes to:
• Review the material covered during the session.
• Identify and fill in any information gaps the student may have missed without realizing.
• Clarify complex ideas or misunderstandings.
• Reinforce key learning points and upcoming tasks.

About You

Required Skills & Attributes:

• Excellent listening skills and strong written communication.
• High level of patience, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to spot key details quickly.
• Confidence in liaising with academic staff and advocating for a student.
• Reliability and punctuality for scheduled campus timetable hours.

Desirable Experience:

• Previous experience supporting individuals with Specific Learning Differences Auditory Processing Disorder, or accessibility needs.
• Familiarity with a higher education / university environment.
• Interest or background in the creative arts is a plus, but not essential.