Student Welfare Officer

What skills and experience we're looking for

About the Role

We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Student Welfare Officer to join our team at Leeds City College in the Adult & Community department. In this role, you will provide essential advice, guidance and practical support to students experiencing financial hardship, housing difficulties and other welfare challenges that may affect their ability to access and succeed in education.

You will manage applications for financial assistance through the Learning Support Fund, support students with complex welfare needs, and work closely with curriculum, pastoral and SEND teams to ensure appropriate support is in place. You will also develop and deliver welfare awareness activities, build relationships with external support agencies, and monitor the impact of interventions on student attendance, achievement and progression. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference to students' lives by helping them overcome barriers to learning and achieve their potential.

What You Will Do

• Provide welfare advice and practical support to students facing financial, housing and personal difficulties.
• Manage the Learning Support Fund, including applications for travel, meals and equipment.
• Support vulnerable students and manage complex welfare cases.
• Work with pastoral, curriculum and SEND teams to remove barriers to learning.
• Refer students to external agencies and specialist support services.
• Deliver welfare awareness activities and information sessions.
• Monitor student attendance, progress and the impact of welfare interventions.
• Maintain accurate records and promote student wellbeing, safeguarding and inclusion.

About You

We are looking for someone who is compassionate, approachable and committed to helping students overcome barriers to education.

You will have

• Level 2 qualifications in English and maths.
• A degree or equivalent higher-level qualification, or a relevant professional qualification with substantial experience.
• A Level 4 qualification in advice or support work, such as Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG), or substantial experience in providing advice.
• Significant experience supporting vulnerable students, including SEND learners and those experiencing financial hardship.
• Strong knowledge of student finance, funding, welfare support and barriers to learning.
• Experience working with external agencies and referring individuals to specialist services.
• Excellent communication, listening and interpersonal skills, with an empathetic and non-judgemental approach.
• Strong organisational and IT skills, including managing caseloads, maintaining records and monitoring interventions.
• A commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity, inclusion and restorative practice.

What the college offers its staff

The group offers a range of excellent benefits, including

Annual leave

• Curriculum and Management:44 days plus bank holidays

•

Curriculum support and business support

39 days plus bank holidays

Pension schemes with generous employer contributions

• Teachers’ Pension Scheme
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• People’s Pension Scheme

CPD opportunities

• Annual staff conference plus 2 additional staff development days.
• Qualifications including PGCE, Apprenticeships, Leadership and Management courses.

Employee wellbeing initiatives

• Family Friendly Policies, discounted onsite spa (Printworks) and gym (Park Lane).

Travel and commuting

• Discounted travel available through Metro card, Northern Rail, First Bus, Arriva Bus and Cycle to work schemes

Commitment to safeguarding

At Luminate Education Group we are committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all our students. We expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful applicants will be required to complete mandatory pre-employment checks which include an enhanced DBS check, online checks and must have two satisfactory references. Please be aware that it is a criminal offence to apply for a job with us if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.