Support workers
Find out more about opportunities to support disabled students.
The Disability Advisory Service (DAS) needs reliable, flexible graduates with appropriate skills to provide disabled students with study support. This type of human support is called Non-Medical Help (NMH). There are several different types of role available. All the roles are part-time and the level of commitment can vary to match your availability in many cases.
All NMH support workers must be able to demonstrate:
- experience of higher education study;
- appropriate academic qualifications;
- reliability, flexibility and accuracy as needed for the role;
- commitment to supporting disabled students;
- an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and discretion; and
- the ability to work with a wide range of people.
NMH roles are open to on-course University of Oxford graduate students (subject to college or departmental regulations on paid employment).
Types of roles
Our support workers provide a variety of support in the roles below:
- Note taker
- Practical support assistant (library/laboratory/sighted guide)
- AS Study assistant (for students with Autism)
- Examination support worker (reader or scribe)
Use the tabs above to review detailed descriptions of each role.
Support workers are paid £15/hour
Applying for student support roles
We recruit support workers throughout the year. An application form is on the right-hand side of this page. Please email a completed application form and a CV to [email protected]. Please review all the roles and consider applying for at least two types of support role.
All the roles will be operated through the University of Oxford Temporary Staffing Service (TSS) in partnership with the Disability Advisory Service. Hours of work are dependent on student need; we cannot guarantee a fixed amount of work. All roles are part-time.
Successful candidates will be asked to register with TSS and to complete an online introductory disability awareness course.
If you have any questions, contact [email protected].
Note Taker
Role Description and Person Specification
Hours: Various – the number of hours depends on student need.
About the role
You will be working with the University’s Disability Advisory Service (DAS) to provide what is termed non-medical help (NMH). As a Notetaker you will support a student’s learning by providing clear and accurate notes as a record of lectures or classes. Students may have difficulties taking notes for a number of different reasons, for example sight or hearing impairments, specific learning difficulties or because writing is difficult and painful. Notes are essential tools for learning and revision, therefore the work of a Notetaker provides crucial support.
Job Description
Main duties and responsibilities
- Provide the student with an accurate and full account of the information conveyed in lectures or classes where it is necessary to take notes.
- Ensure notes are clear and comprehensive. This requires fast and accurate typing, legible handwriting, accurate spelling and the ability to extract all relevant information from lecture material.
- Funding is only for the actual lecture time. However, if the student needs a format that requires additional editing of the notes, then this additional time will be agreed as part of your assignment.
- Provide notes to the student within 48 hours, in an agreed format to meet their needs.
- Maintain regular contact with the student, from the outset of your work, to ensure they are receiving notes in a timely fashion and in a mutually agreed format.
- Be mindful of the importance of the support role that you are engaged in by working in a professional, helpful and flexible manner, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Liaise with the Disability Advisory Service (DAS) on an ongoing basis, in order to monitor support, give adequate notice if you are unable to attend lectures or undertake remote working as agreed in the initial assignment. Ensure notification of any changes to your availability for work or contact details.
- Complete the Canvas NMH Staff Induction course before your first assignment. Engage in relevant training appropriate to the role and attend team meetings where relevant.
- Maintain accurate records of support, so that, if needed, your work can be audited.
- Understand and be flexible to the needs of students with disabilities in a higher education environment and the boundaries that need to be observed.
Person Specification
Essential
- Evidence of education to degree (or equivalent) level, ideally with experience in the subject required for note taking or a similar field.
- Well organised, reliable, punctual and respect professional boundaries at all times.
- Ability to communicate clearly, professionally and sensitively, both orally and in writing, with individuals at all levels within the University.
- Must be able to maintain accurate records, stored appropriately, paying close attention to confidentiality agreements.
- Must show a positive attitude towards equality and access for people with disabilities.
- Ability to work proactively using own initiative, working independently and to deadlines.
- Have a sound understanding of the nature of study at the University of Oxford.
- Accurate spelling and grammar skills.
- Ability to provide clear, succinct and relevant materials for students in their preferred format.
- Good IT skills and access to a computer.
- Clear and legible handwriting at speed.
Desirable
- Qualifications or evidence of training or experience relevant to working with disabled students.
- Personal study experience at the University of Oxford or experience of provision of student support in Higher Education or other social or educational support settings.
Employment Terms and Conditions
The number of hours and days worked are flexible and based upon student need and will reflect the relevant lecture or class timetable. Note Takers are contacted when work is available and have the option to confirm availability or not.
All successful candidates must complete disability awareness training and induction. (NMH Induction Training Canvas Course)
Note Takers can attend lectures in person to take notes, however in some cases it is also possible to create notes from the lecture recordings. This will be clarified when the assignment is advertised and set up. Please note that, in general, notes should be created in a time that is no longer than the time taken by the lecture. Notes for a one-hour lecture should be created within an hour, as if you were attending the lecture for yourself and leaving it with your completed notes.
Successful candidates will be registered with University’s Temporary Staffing Service (TSS) and will then be eligible for selection for assignments as they become available. We cannot guarantee a fixed amount of work. All roles are part-time. Candidates will be employed on a temporary basis through TSS and will be required to work within TSS and University guidelines and in line with relevant policies and procedures at all times, including a commitment to submit accurate records and time sheets promptly.
To apply visit the Student support opportunities web page to complete an application form which should be returned with a CV by email to [email protected].
Practical Support Assistant
(General/Library/Laboratory/Sighted-Guide)
Role Descriptions and Person Specification
Hours: Various – a range of positions are available, the number of hours depends on student need, but some positions require flexibility to support during the day time, evenings and weekends, during term-time and occasionally vacations.
About the roles:
You will be working with the University’s Disability Advisory Service (DAS) to provide what is termed non-medical help (NMH). Providing practical and mobility support to assist a student with a physical or sensory impairment in moving between and around key study venues. This could include carrying books and equipment, acting as a sighted guide for a visually impaired student, or supporting a student with practical aspects of their course, e.g. in the laboratory. (Depending on the requirements of the role, Laboratory Assistants may be required to undertake additional Health and Safety training or induction sessions prior to commencement of the post).
Job description
Duties and responsibilities for ALL roles
- Be mindful of the importance of the support role that you are engaged in by working in a professional, helpful and flexible manner, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Liaise with the Disability Advisory Service (DAS) on an ongoing basis, in order to monitor support, give adequate notice if you are unable to provide support and ensure notification of any changes to your availability for work or contact details.
- Complete the Canvas NMH Staff Induction course before your first assignment. Engage in relevant training appropriate to the role and attend team meetings where relevant.
- Maintain accurate records of support and ensure student verification of support hours.
- Adhere to all local health and safety guidance within the library, laboratory or venue that you are working in.
- Understand and be flexible to the needs of students with disabilities in a higher education environment and the boundaries that need to be observed.
Additional duties and responsibilities for EACH role
Duties will vary depending on the individual requirements of a student and the nature of their course, but might commonly include:
Library Support Assistant
- Visit libraries on a student’s behalf and at their direction in order to source references, books, journals or other study related materials and resources.
- Provide delivery of materials to the student’s college or other accommodation, in an agreed format and within a specified timescale.
- Scan and copy materials on a student’s behalf and email or otherwise deliver.
- Accompany a student on request to the library to locate, carry, copy or scan materials as needed.
- Carry books and equipment.
Workshop/Laboratory Assistant
- Support with undertaking practical aspects of research projects.
- Support with setting up/dismantling equipment.
- Data entry/inputting of information for analysis.
- Assistance with transporting equipment and resources.
- Assistance with recording data or taking notes in a lab (if required).
Sighted Guide
- Assist the student with one-to-one mobility support.
- Help the student to navigate between and within key study venues.
- Listen to and learn from the student and the NMH Worker Canvas Induction course about how to provide the best and most appropriate sighted guiding.
- Be aware of the best route and of any particular barriers or challenges along the route.
- Commonly, this might include physical guiding.
Person Specification
Essential – depending upon each role
- Evidence of education to degree level (or equivalent).
- Well organised, reliable, punctual and respect professional boundaries at all times.
- Ability to communicate clearly, professionally and sensitively, both orally and in writing, with individuals at all levels within the University.
- Must be able to maintain accurate records, stored appropriately, paying close attention to confidentiality agreements.
- Must show a positive attitude towards equality and access for people with disabilities.
- Ability to work proactively using own initiative, working independently and to deadlines.
- Have a sound understanding of the nature of study at the University of Oxford.
- A willingness to undertake training relevant to the role as required.
- Good working knowledge of Bodleian libraries and experience of accessing libraries within a university setting.
- Good IT skills and access to a computer (sometimes resources will need to be scanned, reformatted and emailed).
- Ability to use copying and scanning technology to meet student need.
- For Workshop/Laboratory and Sighted Guide roles, attendance at some specific training may be required before commencement of the role.
- For Workshop/Laboratory Roles an additional Occupational Health check will be carried out by TSS.
Desirable
- Qualifications or evidence of training or experience relevant to working with disabled students.
- Personal study experience at the University of Oxford or experience of provision of student support in Higher Education or other social or educational support settings.
Employment Terms and Conditions
The number of hours and days worked are flexible and based upon student need. Practical Support Assistants are contacted when work is available and have the option to confirm availability or not.
All successful candidates must complete disability awareness training and induction. (NMH Induction Training Canvas Course)
Successful candidates will be registered with the University’s Temporary Staffing Service (TSS) and will then be eligible for selection for assignments as they become available. We cannot guarantee a fixed amount of work. All roles are part-time. Candidates will be employed on a temporary basis through TSS and will be required to work within TSS and University guidelines and in line with relevant policies and procedures at all times, including a commitment to submit accurate records and time sheets promptly.
To apply visit the Student support opportunities web page to complete an application form which should be returned with a CV by email to [email protected].
AS Study Assistant
Role Description and Person Specification
Hours: Various – a range of positions are available, the number of hours depends on student need, but some positions require flexibility to support during the day time, evenings and weekends, during term-time and occasionally vacations.
About the role
You will be working with the University’s Disability Advisory Service (DAS) to provide what is termed non-medical help (NMH). An AS Study Assistant commonly supports autistic students. The role is to provide support for students within the spectrum to interact successfully in their collegiate, departmental, library and social environments. Many autistic students can experience difficulties and anxieties with aspects of organisation, social interaction, prioritising workload and understanding ambiguous terminology or instructions. Transition periods and changes to routine can be especially difficult to cope with and is therefore common for people to receive increased levels of support during Freshers' Week, although some will also require ongoing support throughout the year.
Job Description
Main duties and responsibilities
- Provide regular contact for a student to monitor and address any developing anxiety-causing situations as they arise, helping to avoid escalation.
- Communicate with the student regularly. This may be in person or, in some instances, might involve just checking in by phone or email.
- Liaise with the student to help them to work in an appropriate way. This might include support with planning and organising time and workload, or prompting students regarding appointments and activities which require attention.
- Provide support during Freshers' week and other key periods of transition. This might include accompanying the student between key study venues during their initial weeks in Oxford, supporting students with navigation or attending Freshers' Fairs and/or to source information on the student’s behalf if the busy environment might be overwhelming for them.
- Encourage student to regularly interact with college peers.
- Maintain open and regular communication with the student’s Disability Advisor and AS Mentor as appropriate.
- Communicate with college or departmental staff if necessary, paying close attention to confidentiality requirements.
- Gradually reduce and withdraw support as student becomes increasingly integrated whilst keeping lines of communication open.
- Be mindful of the importance of the support role that you are engaged in by working in a professional, helpful and flexible manner, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Liaise with the Disability Advisory Service (DAS) on an ongoing basis, in order to monitor support, give adequate notice if you are unable to provide support and ensure notification of any changes to your availability for work or contact details.
- Engage in relevant training appropriate to the role and attend occasional supervision/team meetings where relevant.
- Maintain accurate records of support and ensure student verification of contact hours.
Person Specification
Essential
- Evidence of education to degree level (or equivalent).
- Well organised, reliable, punctual and respect professional boundaries at all times.
- Ability to communicate clearly, professionally and sensitively, both verbally and in writing with individuals at all levels within the University.
- Must be able to maintain accurate records, stored appropriately, paying close attention to confidentiality agreements.
- Must show a positive attitude towards equality and access for people with disabilities.
- Ability to work proactively using own initiative, working independently and to deadlines.
- Have a sound understanding of the nature of study at the University of Oxford.
- A willingness to attend training relevant to the role as required.
- Willingness to adopt a flexible approach to working in a manner that is tailored to people’s individual needs.
- Demonstrable general disability and autism awareness (further relevant training is available through the Disability Advisory Service).
- Engage in training relevant to the role and occasional supervision/team meetings where relevant.
Desirable
- Qualifications or evidence of training or experience relevant to working with students with autism and general disability.
- Personal study experience at the University of Oxford or experience of provision of student support in Higher Education or other social or educational support settings.
Employment Terms and Conditions
The number of hours and days worked are flexible and based upon student need. All AS Study Assistants are contacted when work is available and have the option to confirm availability or not. Due to the need for consistency of provision, AS Study Assistants may be requested to work with one or more specific students on an ongoing basis.
All successful candidates must complete disability awareness training and induction in working with autistic students at Oxford. (NMH Induction Training Canvas Course)
Successful candidates will be registered with the University’s Temporary Staffing Service (TSS) and will then be eligible for selection for assignments as they become available. We cannot guarantee a fixed amount of work. All roles are part-time. Candidates will be employed on a temporary basis through TSS and will be required to work within TSS and University guidelines and in line with relevant policies and procedures at all times, including a commitment to submit accurate records and time sheets promptly.
To apply visit the Student support opportunities web page to complete an application form which should be returned with a CV by email to [email protected].
Examination Support Worker
Role Description and Person Specification
Hours: Various – a range of positions are available, the number of hours depends on student need, but some positions require flexibility to support during the day time, evenings and weekends, during term-time and occasionally vacations.
About the role
You will be working with the University’s Disability Advisory Service (DAS) to provide what is termed ‘non-medical help’ (NMH). Examination Support Workers may read out examination questions and/or provide accurate and legible handwritten/typed records from the personal dictation of a student in examinations.
Examination Support Workers may be asked to draw diagrams and read back material to the student on a one-to-one basis. The Examination Support Worker should also understand the subject area(s) they will be scribing for. An Examination Support Worker should be able to write legibly and write and type at a reasonable speed.
Job Description
Main duties and responsibilities may include some or all:
- Scribing – Produce an accurate and legible written record of the student’s dictation on the examination script, or use a keyboard, as determined by the examination regulations. Ensure the exam script is written in a clear, legible manner for the examiner to read and is a verbatim transcription of the student’s response to the examination questions. Typing speed should be between 40 & 60 words a minute with a 95% level of accuracy.
- Reading – Read the examination questions including explaining instructions as well as reading student’s responses both while ‘in progress’ and after completion (if the student requests).
- Prompting – Support a student by helping them to focus, for example by prompting them to move on to the next question at the appropriate time.
- Ensure examination regulations are adhered to. To include reporting incidents such as noise disturbance or cheating.
- Liaise directly with individual students prior to examinations and partake in practice sessions at the student’s request.
- Work closely with members of the Disability Advisory Service and the student’s College, Department and Examinations Assessment Team as relevant.
- Be mindful of the importance of the support role that you are engaged in by working in a professional, helpful and flexible manner, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Liaise with the Disability Advisory Service (DAS) on an ongoing basis, in order to monitor support, give adequate notice if you are unable to provide support and ensure notification of any changes to your availability for work or contact details.
- Complete the Canvas NMH Staff Induction course before your first assignment. Engage in relevant training appropriate to the role and attend team meetings where relevant.
- Maintain accurate records of support and ensure student verification of notes.
- Understand and be flexible to the needs of students with disabilities in a higher education environment and the boundaries that need to be observed.
Person Specification
Essential
- Evidence of education to degree (or equivalent) level, ideally with experience in the subject area of the examinations.
- Well organised, reliable, punctual and respect professional boundaries at all times.
- Ability to communicate clearly, professionally and sensitively, both orally and in writing, with individuals at all levels within the University.
- Must be able to maintain accurate records, stored appropriately, paying close attention to confidentiality agreements.
- Must show a positive attitude towards equality and access for people with disabilities.
- Ability to work proactively using own initiative, working independently and to deadlines.
- Have a sound understanding of the nature of study at the University of Oxford.
- Fast, accurate typing and/or legible handwriting. Good spelling.
- Excellent and clear communication and listening skills.
Desirable
- Qualifications or evidence of training or experience relevant to working with disabled students.
- Personal study experience at the University of Oxford or experience of provision of student support in Higher Education or other social or educational support settings.
Employment Terms and Conditions
The number of hours and days worked by Examination Support Workers are flexible and reflect the schedules of the student’s examinations. Examination Support Workers are contacted when work is available and have the option to confirm availability or not.
All successful candidates must complete disability awareness training and induction. (NMH Induction Training Canvas Course)
Successful candidates will be registered with the University’s Temporary Staffing Service (TSS) and will then be eligible for selection for assignments as they become available. We cannot guarantee a fixed amount of work. All roles are part-time. Candidates will be employed on a temporary basis through TSS and will be required to work within TSS and University guidelines and in line with relevant policies and procedures at all times, including a commitment to submit accurate records and time sheets promptly.
To apply visit the Student support opportunities web page to complete an application form which should be returned with a CV by email to [email protected].
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