Student Support Adviser

Allscreens Nationwide Ltd; Merton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Wellbeing leave

Pension scheme

Subsidised sports facilities

Professional development

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Merton College is recruiting a Student Support Adviser to provide holistic support, information, advice and guidance to learners to improve their chances of success and progression into further education, training or employment.

You will work with students, staff and external organisations to safeguard learners and tailor support. The role involves delivering interventions, risk assessments and workshops, with base at Merton and occasional travel to Carshalton College.

Qualifications

• Qualified to Level 4 or above in Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) or a relevant discipline.
• Proven experience working with vulnerable young people and re-engaging those disengaged.
• Experience delivering 1:1 interventions and producing risk assessments and support plans.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge within an educational setting.
• Understanding of post-16 education services and transitions to further education or work.

Responsibilities

• Provide information, advice and guidance to learners to improve completion and progression.
• Work with students, staff and external organisations to safeguard learners.
• Deliver a range of activities to engage learners and prepare them for life in society.
• Based predominantly at Merton with occasional travel to Carshalton College.
• Deliver workshops or tutorials to a diverse range of students.

Skills

Safeguarding experience

IT skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Level 4 IAG or relevant discipline

Job description

Permanent, Full Time (36 hours per week, over 52 weeks per year)

Merton College have an exciting opportunity for a Student Support Adviser to provide comprehensive and flexible support, information, advice and guidance to learners to improve their likelihood of successful completion of their programme and progression into further education, training and/or employment.

You will work in close liaison with students, staff, and external organisations to safeguard students and support them in achieving their full potential by offering holistic support, which is tailored to their needs. You will provide and support the provision of a range of activities to engage learners within the wider community of college life and the preparation for life in society.

As our Student Support Adviser, you will be qualified to Level 4 or above in Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) or a relevant discipline (e.g. youth and community work, education, psychology, sociology, or health and social care). You will have proven experience working with vulnerable young people, including successfully re-engaging those who are disengaged or disaffected and supporting them to remain in or return to education or training. You will be experienced in delivering 1:1 interventions, as well as producing risk assessments and support plans.

You will bring strong safeguarding experience, with a sound knowledge of safeguarding legislation and practices within an educational setting. A good understanding of post-16 education services is essential, including the challenges faced by young people transitioning from pre- to post-16 education or returning after time out of formal learning. You will also be confident delivering workshops or tutorials to a diverse range of students.

Strong IT skills are required to effectively market and record service provision. In addition, you will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with students and external agencies.

Based predominantly at Merton but you may be required to travel to and work from Carshalton College on occasion.

Closing date for the return of completed applications is 8th September 2026.

• generous annual leave of 27 days plus up to 8 additional days over Christmas/New Year
• additional 5 days Wellbeing leave to enhance employees’ physical and mental health
• excellent pension scheme that receives a significant financial contribution from the employer (Teachers Pensions or Local Government Pension Scheme)
• subsidised sports facilities
• professional development and training
• salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme

As part of our due diligence checks on prospective employees, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, an online search and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

As outlined in the Public Sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

The South Thames Colleges Group is made up of Carshalton College, Kingston College, Merton College and South Thames College, which merged on 1 August 2017. South Thames Colleges Group is one of London’s largest providers of post-16 education and training and is an ongoing and significant contributor to its local communities. We aim to put students’ success at the heart of everything we do.

We are looking for hard-working and collaborative people who can join our team and help challenge our students to achieve and progress.