Buckinghamshire New University
Disability & Inclusion Advisor
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Part Time (0.8 FTE) - Permanent
Location: High Wycombe Campus with occasional travel to our other campuses
Salary: £33,951 - £37,694
We’re not trying to fit in with the higher education status quo. We’re challenging it. We’re doing things differently - because our students, our staff, and our world need us to.
So this is an exciting moment to join us. We’re boldly reimagining what a university can be: a place rooted in social mobility, a community where difference is celebrated, and an institution that empowers people to become more than they thought possible.
About the Role
The Disability & Inclusion Adviser provides specialist advice and guidance to students with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions, autism, sensory or mobility impairments, and long-term health conditions. The role ensures students can access and succeed in their studies by assessing needs, recommending reasonable adjustments, and supporting applications for funding such as Disabled Students’ Allowances.
The postholder manages a caseload of students, maintaining accurate records while working closely with academic and professional colleagues to embed inclusive practice. They will also contribute to team initiatives, policies, and events such as open days and workshops.
This is a demanding but rewarding role that requires excellent communication, problem-solving, and influencing skills, as well as a sound understanding of disability legislation and the challenges faced by disabled students in higher education. The Adviser is expected to manage a busy workload independently while working collaboratively across the university.
What We Offer
- A generous holiday entitlement (35/30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
- Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
- Training & development support opportunities
- Contributory pension scheme
- Free gym membership for our on-site gym
- A range of staff discounts with major retailers.
Main Duties & Responsibilities Of The Role
- To provide specialist and confidential advice and guidance to existing students with disabilities
- Provide needs assessments and register students referred to the service, where necessary working collaboratively with the team/wider staff body to determine the most appropriate intervention
- To manage a student SpLD advice caseload, escalating complex cases, and seeking guidance from Disability Leads and/or relevant funding body where necessary
- To advise, guide and liaise with staff on appropriate support and reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities
- To be responsible for the highest standards of record keeping including electronic data entry
- Contribute to wider team meetings, and developing team policies, procedures, and processes
- To support the team with events, presentations, workshops, and open days, offering advice and guidance to potential applicants at university open days
- Provides support to colleagues including Disability Leads and Support Officers, where necessary, forging positive working relationships with staff across the university
- Attend training and CPD to keep abreast of developments in disability provision
- Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.
- Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION - Essential Criteria Only
Education, Qualifications & Training
- Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field
- CPD log evidencing training and/or Qualification in disability, health, or pedagogy
Knowledge & Experience
- Knowledge of recent disability legislation
- An understanding of the specific needs of students with a disability in a higher education context
- Experience of working with young people from diverse backgrounds and with special needs
- Knowledge of support available for people with disabilities
Skills
- Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with colleagues within a multi-disciplinary team and wider institutional setting
- Ability to prioritise, organise and deliver a complex and changing workload under pressure to tight deadlines, using own initiative without constant supervision
- Use of appropriate levels of IT skills to enable best use of available information and communications as necessary for the post
- Ability to set appropriate boundaries within a professional role and liaise effectively
Special Requirements
- Occasional weekend work for open days
- Willingness and ability to travel to off-site locations
Behavioural Indicators
The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) Is a Framework For All University Staff That Sets Out The Key Behaviours That Exemplify The DRIVE Values And Ethos Of The University. The Nine Categories Provide a Clear Steer On Behavioural Expectations That Will Help Support a Step Change In The Performance And Culture Of The University. The Three Key Behavioural Indicators For This Post Are As Follows
- Delivering excellent service: Providing the best quality service to external and internal customers/students/stakeholders. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up customer service standards.
- Embracing change: Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
- Working together: Working collaboratively and across boundaries with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
Application Information
Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.
Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank.
Please click here to view our employee handbook.
If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University’s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.
For further information about this role please contact Charlotte Stewart on charlotte.stewart@bnu.ac.uk
All applications are to be made in full and online.
We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves.
Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role. Please reach out to Charlotte Stewart if you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you.
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If you’re considering using AI to support your application, we encourage you to question the value it adds. The use of AI tools sometimes erodes authenticity and prevents us from being able to assess the real you. We strongly recommend you prepare your application using your own skills and knowledge and that AI is only used for the purpose of review.
Closing Date: 20th September 2026
Interview Date: 30th September 2026
Please note that an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required for this position. The successful applicant will be required to give consent to check their criminal record status through the DBS. Information will be kept in strict confidence. Your offer of appointment will be subject to the University being satisfied with the outcome of this check.
If you are invited to interview for this role, you will need to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK and if on a visa, current visa and status. Sponsorship is dependent on the salary level of the position.
BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.
Job Description
Job Title: Disability & Inclusion Advisor
College/Professional Service: Disability & Inclusion Services
Grade: F
Location: High Wycombe with occasional travel to other campuses
Hours: 29.6 hours
Responsible to: Senior Disability & Inclusion Advisor
Responsible for: The successful candidate will provide a point of contact, information, and support for a range of disabled students, including those with mental health difficulties, autism, sensory and mobility impairments/loss and long-term medical conditions.
The post holder will assess, make, and communicate recommendations for reasonable adjustments to appropriate areas of the University to ensure students are supported throughout their studies. They will also help students apply for funding via Disabled Students' Allowances, make referrals to other teams within the University and keep accurate records of their interventions.
The successful candidate should have knowledge and understanding of the nature and challenges involved in life at university and the ways in which disability can impact on study. They should also be agile and effective communicators, understand disability legislation and the duties of the University and be able to analyse and problem solve complex situations under pressure. The successful candidate will also have well developed negotiating and influencing skills and be able to work with highly sensitive information appropriately and be able to work with minimal supervision, prioritising and planning a busy workload.
Job Purpose: To ensure that disabled students can access and benefit from their academic and broader student experience through the provision of appropriate information, advice and adjustments to both individual disabled students, prospective students and the staff working with them.
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