Student Advisor

Edge Hill Students' Union; Ormskirk; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A university student support organisation seeks a Student Advisor to provide independent and impartial advice to students at Edge Hill University. In this full-time role based in Ormskirk, you will offer guidance on academic, housing, and welfare issues. The position focuses on supporting students navigating university policies and enhancing their well-being. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and a passion for student support, joining a collaborative team committed to making a positive impact.

Benefits

Opportunity for career progression

Dynamic work environment

Empowering student community

Qualifications

• Passionate about supporting students and developing in advice and advocacy work.
• Ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Experience in student guidance and representation appreciated.

Responsibilities

• Deliver independent, confidential advice on various student issues.
• Support students through university processes and advocate on their behalf.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of the Advice Service.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Organised

Compassionate

Job description

Student Advisor

Salary: £23,912 - £27,682 (Appointments are normally made at the bottom of the scale [£23,912], with the opportunity to progress through the grade in line with our pay policy.)

Hours: Full time (35hrs per week)

Reporting to: Head of Membership Services

About the Students’ Union

Edge Hill Students’ Union works with students to make their University experience all they want it to be.

Whatever a students needs, situation or background; we empower them through partnership.

We deliver events, empower societies, and support individuals with whatever they need to have a great experience whilst fulfilling their ambitions.

We bring creativity, innovation and freedom to the student community, and work with Edge Hill to bring about our shared goal of enabling every student to be the best version of themselves.

Why Work for Edge Hill Students’ Union?

We are a diverse team of staff and students, working together to create positive change for the student community at EHU. Our team includes both full-time and part-time staff, as well as student representatives who bring their lived experiences to the table. Together, we collaborate to ensure that students' voices are heard, their needs are met, and their university experience is the best it can be.

About You

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate individual who is passionate about supporting students and keen to develop their knowledge and expertise in advice and advocacy work. Supporting students to understand their options and feel confident in their decisions will be central to everything you do.

You will be an organised and approachable professional, able to build trust and maintain positive relationships with students, colleagues and stakeholders. With strong communication skills and the ability to manage competing priorities, you will play a key role in delivering an effective and responsive Advice Centre service.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build experience in student advice, guidance and representation within a challenging and rewarding Students’ Union environment.

About the Role

As a Student Advisor, you will deliver independent, confidential and impartial advice and guidance to students of Edge Hill University across academic, housing, welfare and disciplinary issues.

You will be a frontline professional advocate, supporting students to navigate complex university policies, understand their options and achieve positive outcomes while enhancing their overall wellbeing and success.

Responsibilities

Advice & Casework

• Provide high-quality, independent, confidential and impartial advice, information and guidance to Edge Hill University students across a range of issues, including student finance, welfare benefits, housing, academic matters and disciplinary procedures.
• Deliver advice and casework through a range of channels, including in-person appointments, online meetings, telephone support, email correspondence and drop-in sessions, ensuring the service is accessible and responsive to student needs.
• Advise students on student funding and fees, including eligibility, entitlements and processes, and signpost to appropriate welfare benefits and external support where relevant.
• Support students to apply for hardship funding and financial support schemes, providing practical guidance and assistance throughout the application process.
• Provide advice and practical assistance on housing and accommodation matters, including private tenancies, tenancy agreements, deposits and deposit recovery, maintenance and repairs, tenant fees, and tenants’ rights.
• Support and advocate for students experiencing issues within on-campus accommodation, including disciplinary or conduct-related matters.
• Assist students pursuing cases beyond the University, including providing guidance on escalation to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA), Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and Office for Students (OfS), where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, University regulations and sector guidance, and undertake ongoing training and professional development in student finance, housing and welfare advice areas.

Representation & Support

• Support students through formal University processes, including complaints, academic appeals, disciplinary procedures, fitness to study/practise processes and other regulatory matters.
• Prepare students for meetings, hearings and panels by helping them understand procedures, clarify their options, and present their case clearly and confidently.
• Where appropriate, accompany or represent students at University meetings, panels, hearings and departmental discussions, acting as an independent advocate.
• Liaise constructively with University staff, accommodation providers and relevant external bodies to support positive outcomes for students.
• Provide empathetic, professional support to students during challenging or distressing situations, ensuring appropriate signposting to specialist or wellbeing support services where required.

Service Development & Collaboration

• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the Advice Service by gathering and reflecting on feedback from service users, identifying trends, and supporting the implementation of positive service changes.
• Develop, contribute to and deliver resources, guidance materials and workshops to help students better understand their rights, responsibilities and available support in key advice areas such as housing, academic processes and money matters.
• Accurately record and manage all casework using the Advice Service’s case management system, ensuring records are up to date, compliant with GDPR, and maintained to a high professional standard.
• Support the management team by producing data, reports and insights for internal monitoring, Board reporting, annual reports and service reviews.
• Assist with the development, review and implementation of policies and procedures relating to advice provision, student support and safeguarding.
• Record and report instances of hate crime in line with Third Party Hate Crime Reporting procedures and relevant safeguarding frameworks.
• Collaborate with and maintain positive working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including University departments, the National Union of Students (NUS), other Students’ Union advice services, local government bodies and sector networks, to share best practice and strengthen student support.

General, Compliance, and Governance

• To comply with all Health and Safety legislation and internal policies, undertaking relevant training as required.
• Support in the Union’s participation in the University deliberative committee meeting and working group structure.
• Ensure strict adherence to Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guidelines in all aspects of member data management, privacy policies, and data security protocols.
• Contribute to the management of compliance and risk in own areas of responsibility and contribute to the wider organisational risk register to ensure safe activities for members and others
• To support with attendance at Open Days and at busy times of the year such as Welcome Week and SU Elections.

This list is not exhaustive and other duties commensurate with the role may be assigned at the discretion of the Senior Leadership Team.