Disability Adviser

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Glasgow Caledonian – the largest and leading modern university in Scotland - is a vibrant, values-led university with campuses in the heart of Glasgow and London. With a strong commitment to high quality education and research which supports the communities we serve, we have strong partnerships with employers to ensure our students get the careers they dream of and deserve.

In 2023 we rocketed into the top 40 universities in the UK in the highly regarded Guardian University Guide, were ranked the UK’s 2nd top performing modern university in the inaugural Daily Mail guide, and entered the top highly coveted 50 UK universities in the 2024 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide for the first time. We are the top performing modern University in Scotland in all three guides. We are the only Scottish university with EcoCampus Platinum accreditation and were ranked second in Scotland for sustainability in the most recent People and Planet league table.

With a wide range of professionally accredited courses and links with over 300 industry partners, we have the highest proportion of undergraduate level graduates in highly skilled occupations (83%) compared to other Scottish modern universities - with 91% of our students in employment or further study within fifteen months of graduating (HESA 2023). We are Scotland’s leading provider of Graduate Apprenticeships and we have transnational partnerships around the world, supporting more than 22,000 students from nearly 120 countries.  We are committed to widening participation, helping more people from diverse backgrounds into university.

Guided by our values – integrity, responsibility, creativity and confidence - we transform the lives of the people and communities we serve.

The Disability Team sits alongside the Counselling Team and Wellbeing Team, collectively forming Student Wellbeing Services. The Disability Team is renowned and respected for its inclusive approach to the support of disabled students and became the very first university service in the UK to be accredited by the National Autistic Society in 2019 and retained this status in 2023. The team works to support the needs of individual disabled students and applicants, and to promote inclusive practice across the university.

The Disability Advisers are key team members, and have responsibility for ensuring that the university fulfils its lawful duty in respect to making reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants and students.  The Disability Advisers are responsible for assessing the needs of disabled students, identifying appropriate services and facilities to meet students’ needs, and recommending adjustments to teaching and assessment practices. They also provide advice, guidance and support to colleagues across the university (including teaching staff) on reasonable adjustments and inclusive practice to accommodate the needs of disabled students. The Disability Advisers work closely with all team members towards this aim, and are supported in their role by the Disability Manager.

 

Candidates for this role should have experience of advising and assessing the needs of, disabled students within a Higher Education setting. They should have expert knowledge of the relevant legislative framework and current sector wide practices and issues, and of the potential impact of a broad range of conditions and impairments on study. They should be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, both oral and written, including the ability to convey complex information, and to communicate sensitively and tactfully. The successful candidates will also be able to demonstrate innovative ideas and approaches, and a strong commitment to the promotion of inclusive practice. They will be degree educated, with a demonstrable record of continuing professional development relevant to the role.

The Disability Team is currently working to a hybrid model, and supporting disabled students to access blended learning (a mixture of online and in-person teaching). Our Disability Advisers engage with students and staff using a range of methods, including in-person meetings, video and audio calls, email and chat. All candidates should therefore have excellent IT skills and be confident working across a range of different platforms.

If you have any questions about this post you may contact Danny Gallacher, Disability Manager via email danny.gallacher2@gcu.ac.uk

As the University for the Common Good, we are committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as our values in everything that we do.  As such, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who demonstrate the GCU Values.

Glasgow Caledonian University is committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process that is free from bias so that we can attract and retain a high performing workforce which makes a critical contribution to our success​.

The University holds the prestigious Athena SWAN Silver institution award, which recognises our significant record of activity and achievement in promoting gender equality across different disciplines.

As a Disability Confident 'Committed' employer, we are striving to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to disabled people. Although the Disability Confident 'Committed' level does not guarantee an interview for disabled applicants, we will make reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants during the recruitment process.

The University also holds the Carer Positive ‘Engaged’ employer award, which recognises our commitment to supporting staff with caring responsibilities.

Glasgow Caledonian University are committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant. 

The University offers a range of benefits including opportunities for professional development, family friendly policies, cycle to work scheme and onsite childcare facilities.

Please note that the appointment will be made on the first point of the salary scale (unless by exception).

As this role involves Regulated work with Adults and/or Children the successful candidate will require PVG Scheme membership.