DSA Needs Assessor - Employed

To deliver DSA Needs Assessments and produce the required Needs Assessment Report in accordance with the SLC model and the DSA quality standards and all relevant Key Performance Indicators. Along with all necessary follow up work and responding to any new or existing (legacy students) queries received from the relevant Funding Body, Student or Disability Advisor.
Main tasks and responsibilities:
Responsible to the Managing Director for the below tasks and duties

Assess the needs of students eligible for DSA funding via a Needs Assessment which is compliant and within the standards of the contractual requirements and existing quality standards.

This includes:

• Preparing in advance for the DSA assessment interview: researching course details; disability/medical evidence and appropriate assistive technology


• Undertaking assessments of need for students in receipt of the DSA allowances to identify and recommend appropriate assistive technology, support services and adjustments to learning and teaching


• Demonstrating a range of suitable assistive technology and specialist software during the needs assessment


• Liaising with suppliers, course tutors, university disability officers and other external organisations to source relevant equipment, support and competitive quotes in accordance with funding body requirements


• Producing confidential Needs Assessment Reports with the relevant recommendations, justifications and quotes within the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)


• Responding promptly to any queries from Funding Bodies and Students on any reports, recommendations and quotes produced


• To deliver assessments on site and remotely based on the business need


• Participating, producing required work and giving input for audits


• Keeping up-to-date with all relevant legislation, policies and updates relating to disabilities, government funding (DSA), equipment and software, higher education and support strategies


• Carry out any other undertaking in-line with the span of the post as requested by line manager and/or Directors, such things to include; legacy student work, Quality Assuring NARs, pick up work based on business need (assessors on annual leave).
  
  The required qualifications, necessary knowledge and practical experience to perform the job.


• Preferable but not necessary - at least three years within the DSA sector or Assessor of Needs role


• Preferable but not necessary - Demonstrable working experience of assistive technologies and open and free source software, including an awareness of specialist software and adaptive technologies


• Ability to learn to use new hardware and software products


• An up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and its implications, particularly in respect of the education sector


• Knowledge of a range of support and study skills strategies to support students


• An up-to date knowledge of funding available to students with disabilities/learning difficulties/study skills needs (including the DSA)


Key competencies:
The competencies skills and abilities that an employee must have to successfully perform the job.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - written and verbal


• Excellent Planning and organising skills


• Excellent work and time management


• Able to work autonomously and manage priorities, and workload


• Good interview/question techniques to solicit relevant details and obtain appropriate information to enable a suitable recommendation