Student Support Worker

Student Support Worker
Direct Entry
Salary:£23,795 per annum
Contract Type:Permanent Full time 37 hours per week

Reference: REC2081 | Closing date: Monday, 6th January 2024

The opportunity

As our Student Support Worker in the Direct Entry department, you will play a key part in helping our students overcome barriers and achieve their full potential. Working with learners from diverse backgrounds, youll offer personalised guidance, encouragement, and practical support, ensuring they develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed both academically and personally.

Youll provide tailored one-to-one and group support, assisting students with essential skills such as time management, organisation, and resilience. By helping learners to address challenges and overcome obstacles, youll ensure they stay motivated and on track to achieve their goals. Your work will also include creating and implementing support plans that are carefully designed to meet the individual needs of each student, offering a proactive and effective approach to their development.

In addition to supporting students directly, youll collaborate closely with teaching staff, course leaders, and other support services to ensure a joined-up approach to student progress. Youll contribute to departmental meetings, share insights on learner progress, and play an active part in planning interventions that promote student success.

Your role will also focus on wellbeing, as you create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment where every student feels valued and supported. Youll be a trusted point of contact, helping students navigate personal or academic challenges and guiding them towards additional resources when needed. Health and safety will also be a priority, ensuring that all activities and support sessions are conducted in a professional and secure setting.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in our students lives. As a Student Support Worker in the Direct Entry department at Barnsley College, youll help our learners overcome challenges, achieve their potential, and build confidence in a supportive and inclusive environment. If youre passionate about empowering others and contributing to their success, this role offers the perfect blend of challenge and fulfilment.

Reasons to join us

• We offer substantial annual leave entitlement (Up to 47 days per year including bank and public holidays)
• Teachers Pension Scheme
• Local Government Pension Scheme with a generous 19.2% employer contribution!
• We invest in our people through funded CPD opportunities, regular staff development training and paid volunteering days
• Career advancement opportunities with tailored support for staff to progress
• 24/7 access to same day appointments with a GP
• Exclusive discounts and cashback for retail, dining and leisure as part of YouatWork
• Access to health cash plans as members of the Westfield Health Scheme or Health Shield
• Discounted college gym membership with onsite facilities
• Supporting employee mental health through access to free counselling services and the Foundations App
• Discounts schemes for greener travel including Northern Rail, Trainline and Cycle to Work
• Free Microsoft Office 365 for personal use on up to five machines
• Access to discounted hair and beauty therapies at our onsite salon
• On site subsidised Starbucks and food outlets offering a variety of dining options
• Our shared purpose - We believe in transforming the lives of both our learners and staff

The Barnsley College Advantage

When you join us, you can expect to benefit from The Barnsley College Advantage. This is the advantage of:

• Being supported to achieve your personal and professional goals
• A range of flexible working opportunities
• Autonomy, Empowerment and Accountability
• Short- and Long-Term development commitments
• Access to experiencing work in a range of areas
• Working in a Value and Behaviour led organisation
• Reward and Recognition
• Having your voice heard at every level
• Comprehensive Wellbeing Support

About you

We are seeking a compassionate, proactive, and dedicated individual who is passionate about supporting students to achieve their full potential. You should have experience working with young people or vulnerable individuals, ideally within an educational, support, or mentoring capacity. Your ability to connect with learners, build trust, and establish positive relationships will be essential to your success in this role.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills are vital, as youll collaborate with students, teaching staff, and other support services to deliver tailored assistance. You should be organised, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple priorities while remaining focused on individual student needs. The ability to identify barriers to learning, implement effective strategies, and provide ongoing guidance will be key to ensuring student progress and wellbeing.

Experience or knowledge of safeguarding practices and the ability to apply these in a professional setting is highly desirable. You should also demonstrate patience, resilience, and a genuine interest in creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued.

If you are empathetic, approachable, and driven to empower students to overcome challenges and reach their goals, we would love to hear from you. This is an opportunity to join a dedicated team and make a meaningful impact in an inspiring and forward-thinking educational setting.

Below is a list of some of the key skills, qualifications and experience we are seeking for this exciting opportunity.

Required

• A relevant Level 2 qualification
• Level 3 Teaching qualification (or a commitment to work towards achieving this)
• GCSEs in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 qualifications)
• A strong desire and passion for working with young people, particularly those with challenging behaviours

Preferred

• Degree in Youth Work or a related field
• Vocational qualification in learning difficulties and/or disability awareness
• At least one year of relevant work or voluntary experience
• Experience working with disengaged young people aged 14-16
• Solid understanding of the agencies and services that support young people in reengagement and progression

Please note you will be directed to the Barnsley College website to complete your application. Closing date for applications is Monday, 6th January 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early depending on the level of interest.

Barnsley College is committed to creating a dynamic and diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all candidates regardless of their gender, disability, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or faith. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure from DBS.

Please be aware that it is a Criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.

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