Student Education Service
Disabled Students’ Assessment and Support
Note-takers (manual and electronic)
Contracts are on a minimum number of contracted hours per year basis
The University employs note-takers to take notes for individual disabled students in
lectures, seminars and other learning environments.
Note-takers work in a variety of teaching environments, carry out the associated recordkeeping, and communicate appropriately with students, teaching staff and colleagues.
This might include working in unfamiliar subjects, and having to make sense of unfamiliar
vocabulary and subject matter. Note-takers work on an hourly basis throughout the
academic year. They are only paid for sessions booked and hours may change week by
week.
You should be familiar with the Higher Education (HE) environment, with graduate or
equivalent level knowledge of one or more subject areas. You should be able to listen,
comprehend, process and précis information, and write legibly at speed and type at speed
(as required and directed by the support worker officer), working at the level of
undergraduate and postgraduate in both lectures and seminars; the role requires excellent
English skills. Strong word processing/IT skills and accurate typing speeds of at least 60
words per minute are also required.
You should have regular availability (e.g. at least a half day per week) during the main
University teaching hours to suit the needs of students. We particularly welcome
applications from suitable candidates with science, engineering, maths, languages or
related degrees.
Further information about the Disabled Students’ Assessment and Support
is available at http://students.leeds.ac.uk/#Support-and-wellbeing
Note-takers are paid on an hourly basis, submitting a timesheet for every hour
worked. The starting rate of pay is £10.12 per hour which correlates to University
Grade 4.
Informal queries can be made through Paul Whitehead [email protected]
0113 3437547
Ref: SESSP1094
Click here for further information about working at the University of Leeds
www.leeds.ac.uk/info/20025/university_jobs
Job Description
Responsible to:
Reports to:
Support Worker Manager
Support Worker Officer
Main duties and responsibilities

Attend formal note-taking training and other relevant training (taught and selfdirected) and adhere to the standards and expectations of the service

Before assignments; occasional limited preparation such as reading subject specific
briefing material or meeting students to identify needs

During assignments (which can include a variety of subjects) - create a set of
comprehensive summary or ‘live access’ notes in lectures, seminars and other
taught sessions at undergraduate and postgraduate level by:
o Listening and observing visual aids and other contextual information
o Précising and writing (or drawing/copying) as appropriate to the academic
context and student or typing directly onto a laptop using specialist software
o Identifying when it is appropriate to take manual (handwritten) notes and
diagrams, and be able to do this legibly, accurately and promptly
o Liaising with the student on priorities and format issues
o Capturing the breadth of content in a session, so as to enable the student to
follow the session – for example taking notes of conversations/debates so
that a deaf student can follow all that is taking place in the session
o Being confident and flexible enough to work in a variety of environments
including lectures, seminars, laboratories and workshops, from large to small
group working environments

After assignments, prepare notes when required by the support worker team, for
example by:
o Checking content, eg by intranet research or contact with the lecturer
o Transcribing the notes into appropriate format for the individual student (eg
electronic, large print, summary notes, while meeting style or content
preferences)
o Delivering notes to the student in hard or electronic (e-mailed) copy

Respond professionally and positively to student requests for a change in notetaking style, helping them to identify and articulate their requirements and providing
notes in a style which best meets their needs

Work within the Code of Practice for note-takers and abide by Service and
University policies and procedures. This includes working in accordance with
confidentiality policies.

Create and maintain appropriate relationships with the service, teaching staff and
students. This may include advising on note-taking practice issues and/or referring
elsewhere as appropriate

Liaise with the student and with the support worker team regarding the needs of
individual students, and ensure that any concerns are brought to the attention of the
team

Communicate effectively by e-mail, in writing, telephone, SMS text and face-to-face,
as appropriate to the audience, subject and purpose, including:
o Dealing with confidential and sensitive information
o Keeping appropriate records and responding to requests for information
o Remaining calm in challenging situations (for example, with people exhibiting
difficult behaviour or when under pressure)

Keep accurate records and carry out associated admin tasks (including reading and
responding to communications and advising on student absence) as requested by
the support worker team and service staff

To offer some flexibility, willing to respond to last minute requests to cover shifts,
wherever possible

Attend meetings with the support worker team, as required, and to make a positive
contribution to the development of the service

Responsibility for technical aspects (after training), for example:
o The care and transport of IT equipment (eg 1 or 2 laptops, memory devices
and peripherals) from storage to teaching venue and return
o Trouble-shooting basic problems with service’s or student’s equipment and
software/wireless set up
o Advising new students on the software’s user-features, including their
responsibilities in terms of saving the work

Health & safety responsibilities, including:
o Identifying suitable working arrangements, and taking appropriate action if
this is not available
o Being able to advise others on correct use of the equipment
o Alerting the Scheme Co-ordinator and Safety representatives of any issue
requiring further guidance or action

Any other duties as may reasonably be required, consistent with the grade of the
post
University Values
All staff are expected to operate in line with the university’s values and standards, which
work as an integral part of our strategy and set out the principles of how we work together.
More information about the university’s strategy and values is available at
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/comms/strategy/
Person Specification
(A = to be evidenced on Application Form, ST = to be evidenced during the Skills
Test, I = to be evidenced during the Interview)
Essential

Familiarity with the Higher Education environment and the methods of teaching for
at least undergraduate study (A and I)

Ability to offer undergraduate degree, or equivalent level knowledge, in one or more
subject disciplines (A)

Ability to communicate complex and specialist information clearly and in an
appropriate format for both UG and PG students. Excellent standards of English,
both in terms of understanding (e.g. unfamiliar subjects/vocabulary, complex
information/concepts different accents and dialects) and presentation (legible
handwriting, accurate spelling and grammar, including free writing under time
constraints) (A and ST)

Ability to comprehend, process and précis complex information, to identify key
points and to present these in a format appropriate to student needs. (A and ST)

Commitment to the delivery of a professional service (A and I)

Strong organisational skills and ability to maintain accurate records (A and I)

Working knowledge of word processing, internet and e-mail, and willing to attend
further training if needed. (A and I)

Available for regular work during the main University teaching weeks (normally a
minimum of a half day per week between 9:00 and 17:00 Mon-Fri, 22 weeks/year).
(A and I)

Ability to form and maintain good working relationships with a wide range of people
including students, professionals and colleagues. (A and I)

Ability to work with tact and sensitivity, including with people in distress or in
challenging situations (A and I)

A commitment to providing support to disabled students, with an understanding of
the social model of disability (A and I)

Physical and sensory requirements (A and ST) including:
o Ability to see the lecturer and read visual aids to carry out the tasks outlined
o Ability to hear/understand spoken information and identify key facts
o Ability to transport and set up standard laptops and peripherals and carry out
keyboard and handwriting tasks
o Ability to find way around campus and attend most University teaching
spaces
o Ability to process new information quickly
o Ability to write notes at speed and over extended periods (but within Health &
Safety guidelines)
o Ability to create and copy diagrams and charts

Typing skills, ability to take accurate notes at a speed of at least 60 words/min
(A and ST) Please Note: this criteria only applies to the electronic note taker
role
Desirable

Undergraduate degree level knowledge of any of the following: sciences (biological,
physical, medical/health, environmental), engineering/computing, maths,
languages. (A)

Ability to listen and type accurately ‘live’ (audiotype) (A and ST)

Knowledge of Health & Safety Executive guidelines for VDU work and workstations
(or ability to acquire this) (A and I)
Additional Information
The University offers generous terms and conditions of employment, a wide range of
benefits, services, facilities and family friendly policies. Full details are available on the
Human Resources web pages accessible at www.leeds.ac.uk/hr
The Partnership
The Partnership has been developed by students and staff and describes the mutual
expectations of us all as members of the University of Leeds community. More information
about the Partnership is available at http://partnership.leeds.ac.uk
Criminal Record Checks
This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such, applicants
who have ‘unspent’ convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, including any pending
criminal proceedings, must declare this in the ‘other personal details’ section of the
application form and send details to the Recruitment Officer at [email protected].
Criminal record information will be held securely by the University and in accordance with
the Data Protection Act and the University’s Data Protection policy, available at
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/secretariat/data_protection_code_of_practice.html
Any offer of appointment will be in accordance with our policy, a copy of which is available
at http://hr.leeds.ac.uk/criminal_records
Disabled Applicants
The post is located in the Chemistry West Building, but will involve accessing various
locations across the University. Disabled applicants wishing to review access are invited
to contact the department direct. Additional information may be sought from the
Recruitment Officer, email [email protected] or tel + 44 (0)113 343 1723.
Disabled applicants are not obliged to inform employers of their disability but will still be
covered by the Disability Discrimination Act once their disability becomes known.
Further information for applicants with disabilities, impairments or health
conditions is available in the applicant guidance.