About Us
At Kaplan Open Learning, we are experts in online Higher Education. Working closely with our partner universities, our vision is to become a world leader in online learning, making higher education accessible to anyone with the potential and drive to succeed.
We develop, deliver, support and market, sector-leading online higher education programmes to a global student audience. Our innovative and unique online pedagogy utilises the latest digital learning technologies to provide teaching excellence and a world-class student experience.
We work in collaboration with our university partners to develop engaging, interactive learning materials using the latest digital learning technologies. This approach blends our unique online pedagogy with the research-led subject expertise of our partners.
The Role
The Student Experience and Welfare Team has a wide range of responsibilities, working closely with colleagues in the Disability Support and Student Support teams, and collaborating with multiple other departments including Academic, Study Skills, Admissions, Finance, Quality and Marketing in order to provide a high level of student support across an expanding portfolio of programmes.
The role of the Student Welfare Officer is equally wide-ranging; covering areas of work including welfare resources, wellbeing and mental health, external signposting, safeguarding, student conduct, equality and diversity - while always ensuring the provision of a high-quality service and professional advice, guidance and support to positively influence student wellbeing, satisfaction, academic experience, retention, and successful student outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Maintain external specialist support information to signpost students to third party support organisations worldwide.
Identify, develop, implement, curate and maintain online wellbeing and mental health resources for students on the virtual learning platform.
Act as general wellbeing contact for students in need of enhanced support.
Act as Designated Safeguarding Officer: investigate student safeguarding concerns reported by staff and students and manage accordingly, liaising with external authorities where appropriate.
Act as Student Conduct Investigation Officer: investigating reported potential breaches of Student Code of Conduct and make appropriate recommendations to senior conduct committee.
Identify aspects of student experience which require development to enhance appropriate student representation and meet relevant equality and diversity standards.
Work collaboratively with other departments to ensure student wellbeing is supported through all aspects of the learning experience.
Assist the Head of Student Experience and Welfare as required, for example with the training and development of new staff.
This exciting opportunity requires applicants to have an Undergraduate degree, and we would particularly welcome applications from candidates with a postgraduate qualification or relevant experience.
You should also have:
Relevant qualifications in wellbeing, welfare, mental health or safeguarding
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
High level of personal motivation, resilience, diplomacy and tact
Ability to manage a busy workload to tight deadlines
Excellent IT skills, particularly in Excel and Word, with a desire to embrace new technology
An understanding and appreciation of the importance of student wellbeing to support the academic experience
You may also have:
A Postgraduate degree or equivalent qualification, or to be actively studying towards this
Experience of working within university student wellbeing and welfare support
Experience of supporting students generally in a higher education environment
Application Method
If this sounds like the kind of job you'd enjoy, please apply with your CV. In your cover letter, please answer the following questions as part of your application to help us understand your motivation for applying for this role:
Why do you feel you are the best candidate for this position? (100 words maximum)
How does student wellbeing affect the learning experience? (100 words maximum)
What might be one key challenge to providing welfare support in an online, worldwide study environment) (100 words maximum)
Closing date: 10th March 2023
At Kaplan International, we are committed to working in a diverse organisation and strive to provide equality of opportunity for all. We encourage and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or identity, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnership. If as a disabled applicant (as defined under the Equality Act 2010) you would like to request that your application is considered our Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) please let us know using this form
As part of our commitment to safeguarding, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Applicants must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.