Student Support Assistant (FTC)

Job Overview:

We are proud of our achievements as well as being graded as Good by Ofsted. We believe that our employees are the heart of the organisation and having the right people in the right place, with the right skills is the key to our success. 

We are looking for a dynamic, driven person with excellent organisation and communication skills as you will be at forefront of Student Services engaging with our young learners on a daily basis. As first point of contact for students, parents and College colleagues you will provide a professional approach to all aspects of the role. Providing administrative support to the Head of Student Services, which involves but not limited to: Taking minutes during meetings, dealing with Student enquiries relating to Student Services, represent Student Services at internal evening events, provide administrative support to monitor student attendance.

You will ensure that learners’ views are gathered and acted upon in order to bring about improvements within the learner journey.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for parents, students, and colleagues, providing professional responses to queries and concerns.
• Offer guidance and assistance to students regarding bursaries and Free School Meals, serving as a primary contact for related inquiries.
• Provide comprehensive administrative support to the Assistant Principal, Student Experience, and the Head of Student Services.
• Record accurate minutes for various committees, including the Safeguarding Committee and the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.
• Manage the Compliments and Complaints processes efficiently, ensuring all feedback is addressed promptly and appropriately.
• Maintain detailed records and minutes for meetings related to Student Services, contributing to effective communication and decision-making.
• Address student inquiries related to Student Services promptly and professionally, offering assistance and guidance as needed.
• Assist in monitoring student progress by providing administrative support and maintaining relevant records.
• Promote key events and topics related to safeguarding and wellbeing through coordinated social media posts, raising awareness and fostering a supportive campus community.

Job Requirements:

• Flexibility to meet deadlines in a challenging, multi-functional and multi-disciplined role.
• Be able to deal with difficult people or circumstances in a professional and logical structure, aligned to policy.
• Time management, prioritising and structure of tasks allocated to you or taken on by you.
• Providing information, advice and guidance in accordance with all relevant procedures, policy and legislation.

The right candidate will have:

• High standards of communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience of working in a team.
• The ability to work towards deadlines.
• The ability to motivate both students and your peers.
• Excellent attendance and punctuality.
• Demonstrated ability to manage workload and priorities
• A resilient and positive outlook.

Why choose us:

Our strategy is to create a Career Focused, Digital Learning environment, ensuring that the learner experience and our relationship within our community, local and regional employers, are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to be selected as finalists for the AoC Beacon awards for effective use of digital Technology in FE.  Providing a high achieving, focused learning environment allowing our students to achieve the grades they need for higher educations, or the skills and aptitude required to secure a suitable role in their chosen career. Our college is set in the leafy suburbs of Essex, with easy access to surrounding areas and amenities, we are based in a well-connected location both by road and rail.

What we offer:

• A dedicated and friendly team of professionals who are keen to develop and learn.
• Excellent pension provision
• Annual Staff Awards
• CPD days - opportunities to grow and development through mentorship and coaching
• Free onsite parking
• Staff appreciation days
• Eye care vouchers
• Onsite Starbucks & Restaurant
• Well-being days & activities 
• Electric Vehicle Scheme*
• Discounted gym membership.
• Fully immersive teaching rooms allowing online teaching simultaneously at multiple locations.
• Hybrid Working available.
• Free Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7, 365 days offering legal & financial advice, as well as general support & guidance.

*subject to terms & conditions

This role is considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Which means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.  It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. Self-declaration is subject to Ministry of Justice guidance on the disclosure of criminal records, further information can be found on GOV UK

USP College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, we therefore expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service, and any other checks that the role requires to ascertain suitability for working with children and/or vulnerable adults, which may include online searches.

We will hold and process any personal data, including sensitive (special category) personal data, relating to you in accordance with our legal obligations, in the manner set out in the Privacy Notice for staff and in accordance with our Data Protection Policy, which is set out on the College’s website, found here.  You should familiarise yourself with our Data Protection Policy (and all other subsidiary policies to it) and comply with them at all times. Neither the Privacy Notice for Staff nor those policies form a part of your contract of employment.