Learning Support Officer

ACM is a specialist music education provider with approximately 2,200 students on a range of FE and HE programmes in Music Performance, Creative Artist, Production, Technical Services and Business. Our creative and dynamic environment blends academic excellence and professionalism alongside leading-edge industry thinking and business innovation.

ACM’s Vision:
ACM will incubate potential and talent, supporting the personalised development needs of our students to facilitate a structured path from education to employment. We provide a safe and supported space where creative talent and imagination can flourish in a caring environment. Barriers to learning are identified through a holistic and person-centred approach to unlock the potential of the individual, enabling personal growth through professional and academic development. Our core aim is for our students to enjoy lifelong sustainable careers underpinned by applied learning and a specialist, cutting-edge curriculum. Therefore, our vision is to not only be the leader in applied, industry-connected, creative arts education but to also be the leader in care and support for mental health and other traditional barriers to learning, thereby driving up the standards expected within higher and further education.

ACM’s Mission:
To provide an immersive student experience, with a curriculum which is connected to the industry in real-time, based on a learning by doing ethos. Our core aim is to build confidence and self-awareness, providing students with the skills necessary to recognise and take opportunities. Ultimately our mission is to enable students to fulfil their potential and enjoy a sustainable career within the creative arts industry.

ROLE PURPOSE:
The Learning Support Officer’s role is to support students on ACM’s ‘Further Education’ programmes at the Guildford site. The majority of the students needing help will have an evidenced specific learning difficulty (SpLD), disability, medical condition or mental health issues. Under the Equality Act 2010, ACM must provide support for these students either on a 1:1 or small-group
basis. Some students with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) will have separate funding from their local Council but the majority of students are entitled to their support being funded by the college.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
Student Support:
● Interview students to ascertain their specific learning/disability needs
● Carry out specialist 1:1 or group tutorials with students, giving appropriate advice and support
● Meet with students with EHCPs to set short-term targets and monitor the progress of these
● Work with ANDCo to organise special exam arrangements and reasonable adjustments where applicable
● Work with ANDCo to provide students with help and advice in regard to progression on to a HE course
● Correspond with and attend meetings with parents and ACM staff as required
● Complete paperwork for EHCPs, together with the Head of Additional Needs and Disability, organise and attend EHCP student ‘Annual Reviews’
● Develop resources to support students and staff

Administration
● Contact students to arrange tutorials either on a regular or ad hoc basis
● Update departmental spreadsheets as necessary
● Update online registers with relevant information so that lecturers may put differentiation in place
● Distribute, retrieve and complete any relevant departmental forms (e.g. tutorial forms, attendance forms, data protection forms)
● Create and update Google calendar to be shared with Additional Needs and Disability colleagues
● Share information with Learning Support Assistants under the direction of the Head of Additional Needs and Disabilities.
● Assist with carrying out audits on departmental files.

Update and advise the following people (In accordance with GDPR 2018) to ensure they are aware of any issues regarding the Additional Needs and Disability students:
● The Department for Additional Needs and Disability
● Pathway Leaders and Senior Programme Officers
● Parents/Guardians/Social Workers
● Counsellors (if appropriate)
● Safeguarding Officer (if appropriate)
● Local Councils (Where Student has an EHCP)

Assisting with Ad Hoc Projects (such as):
● CPD Days- Planning and delivery of Tutor training with regard to disabilities and SpLD
● Open Days and Audition Days- Representing the Department for Additional Needs and Disability and offering advice to future students and their parents

Internal and External Partnerships:
● The Learning Support Officer has close links with Admissions, Academic team, Wellbeing and Safeguarding and Facilities teams and with the Local Council representatives of students with EHCPs

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
● Excellent tuition skills
● Friendly and approachable manner
● Strong communication and negotiation skills
● Good computer literacy including MS Word, Excel and Outlook
● Strong administrative, organisation and prioritisation skills
● Good level of literacy and numeracy
● Strong attention to detail and accuracy
● Able to work flexibly and with patience
● Ability to self-manage and self-motivate
● Experience of working with young people with additional needs and/or disabilities
Desirable
● Knowledge of music and music theory
● Educated to degree level or equivalent
● Experience of supporting students in further education institutes.
● Knowledge and experience of SpLD’s (including Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and ADHD)
● Knowledge and experience of working with students with a wide range of other disabilities including Asperger’s Syndrome, mental health issues, visual and hearing impairments

All ACM staff work to the same value’s which are:
Inclusivity
To empower individuals from diverse backgrounds, to maintain accessibility, and provide an
inclusive organisational culture.
Supportive environments
To provide environments that support personal and professional development through a holistic approach and bring the benefits of the creative arts to the wider community.
Agility and innovation
To provide an inspiring organisational culture that embraces innovation through openness, flexibility, creativity and self-evaluation.
Connectivity
To recognise the benefits of working closely with industry and others, to embrace new technologies, and to provide meaningful opportunities, in order to enhance learning.
Professional and academically strong standards
To provide state of the art professional environments, to inspire determination and enthusiasm, and ensure high professional and academic standards

This job purpose reflects the core activities of the post. As the Department and the post-holder develop, there will inevitably be some changes to the duties for which the post it’s responsible, and possibly to the emphasis of the post itself. ACM expects that the post-holder will recognise this and will adopt a flexible approach to work. This could include undertaking relevant training where necessary. Should significant changes to the job purpose become necessary, the post-holder will be consulted and the changes reflected in a revised job purpose.