Disability Support Roles

Residential School Disability Support Assistants

The recruitment period for each academic programme is scheduled to open annually in October. Language schools will be held during February / March and the main Undergraduate programme during the summer months July / August.  Appointments will be advertised on the main Open University Job Opportunities website around this time.

Each year, Disabled Student Services advertise appointments for Disability Assistants to assist in the provision of support for students with a disability or additional requirement when attending a summer or business residential schools. Depending on the role, appointments are generally for 1 week but can be up to 6 weeks depending on the requirements of the school. Full details are provided on the Further Particulars document for each role type.

UK schools are held at the University of Bath.

Modern language schools are held in France, Germany and Spain.

Business Schools tend to run throughout the year for three / four days. Schools are held throughout the UK and in Europe.

Successful applicants are expected to be resident on site for the duration of the residential school period. Accommodation and all meals are provided on site, free of charge, during the term of employment.

New and previously appointed staff are invited to apply.

The following roles are available:

Disability Support Coordinator
To build on the advance arrangements made by the Disability Resources Team, faculties and nations by co-ordinating the on-site provision of equipment, assistance and other facilities in order to enable each Disability and Additional Requirement (DAR) student to take part in their residential school module to the best of their ability; establishing effective relationships, support networks, and communications, producing accurate records, maintaining confidentiality, and acting as an appropriate point of contact for DAR students, Disability Support Assistants, and any related specialist staff throughout the residential school period.

Please view the Disability Support Coordinator Job description/person specification

Disability Support Assistant (School)
To build on the advance arrangements made by the Disability Resources Team, faculties and nations by helping the Disability Support Co-ordinator to co-ordinate the on-site provision of equipment, assistance and other facilities in order to enable each Disability and Additional Requirement (DAR) student to take part in their residential school module to the best of their ability; maintaining effective relationships, support networks, and communications, keeping accurate records, maintaining confidentiality, acting as an appropriate point of contact and providing general and temporary one-to-one support as required for DAR students (primarily those without designated one-to-one support), assistants (primarily those providing one-to-one support), and any related specialist staff throughout the residential school period.

Please view the Disability Support Assistant (school) Job description/person specification

Disability Support Assistant (Register)
To provide specified, one-to-one support to a student with disabilities or additional requirements; this can include guiding, accompanying to provide moral support and encouragement, mobility assistance, and note taking, and is generally organised on a week-by-week basis as part of the advance arrangements made by the Disability Resources Team, faculties and nations to provide a comprehensive package of on-site equipment, assistance and other facilities to enable DAR students to take part in their residential school module to the best of their ability.

Please view the Disability Support Assistant (register) Job description/person specification

Disability Support Assistant (Personal)
Alternatively students can opt to be supported by a family or friend member who knows about their condition and is able to support them successfully throughout the week; this is especially important when a student requires personal care support (assistants provided by the University do not cover personal care requirements). This role is not subject to a weekly rate payable by the Open University but the cost of accommodation may be covered by the University where the assistant resides on site. If a student / assistant decide to stay off campus, the student is expected to cover the accommodation costs for their assistant.

Please view the Disability Support Assistant (personal) Job description/person specification

Please note that it is generally only Disability Support Assistants (Register) and Disability Support Assistants (Personal) that would attend a Business school due to the size and structure of the schools.

If you wish to find out more about any of these roles please contact the Disabled Student Services Team or phone on +44 (0)1908 653 745.

Contact us

By email

residential-school-jobs@open.ac.uk

By phone

+44 (0)1908 653 235

Monday to Thursday between 08:30 and 16.30 (UK time)

Friday between 08:30 and 16:00 (UK time)