HE Access & Participation Officer (A&PO)
Salary: Up to £27,689.73 (FTE £31,387.51) depending on experience
Hours: 37 per week
Working Weeks: 40 weeks per annum
Contract Type: Fixed‑term for 2 years (from start date)
Site: Accrington & Rossendale College
Closing Date: Midnight, Sunday 7th June 2026
Interview Date: Monday 15th June 2026
Our Organisation
Part of East Lancashire Learning Group, Accrington and Rossendale College has a proud history of delivering high quality vocational courses and technical training, apprenticeships and higher education provision to the communities that we serve. We excel in providing people with a platform to progress into fantastic employment opportunities with rewarding career prospects.
The Exciting Role
An exciting opportunity has become available for an Access & Participation Officer to join our dynamic and forward‑thinking University Centre team.
At ELUC, we are proud of our inclusive, student‑focused approach and our commitment to widening participation in higher education. You’ll be joining a passionate, collaborative team that values creativity, continuous improvement, and the transformative power of education.
The successful candidate will be primarily based at the Accrington ELUC but will be required to travel across sites as well as attend external events.
What You Will Be Doing
- Report to the Dean of Higher Education and support the achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs) outlined in the college’s Access and Participation Plan.
- Conduct targeted outreach to attract students from under‑represented backgrounds through school visits, employer and community events, and digital campaigns.
- Monitor the progress of a caseload of learners, working with curriculum teams to improve engagement, participation, and retention.
- Facilitate small group workshops and activities (online and in‑person) to address learning gaps and barriers.
- Implement interventions such as tutoring, bridge courses, and employability initiatives.
- Collect, analyse, and report on data to monitor student progress and inform planning.
- Support the planning and delivery of large‑scale events such as open days, summer schools, and progression events.
- Engage in continuous professional development and contribute to quality assurance processes.
What We Are Looking For
- Passion for widening participation and supporting student success.
- GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths, alongside a recent degree in a relevant subject or a Level 5 professional qualification, or willingness to work towards one.
- Mentoring or learning support qualification and experience delivering online support sessions is advantageous.
- Essential experience includes working with adult students in a college or university setting, a proven track record in student recruitment, support, or access and participation, and strong teamwork skills.
- Knowledge of higher education programmes and curriculum, as well as an understanding of access and participation activities, is desirable.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends, travel across sites, and a full driving licence with access to a car is required.
- Strong commitment to equality, diversity, safeguarding, and continuous improvement.
- Excellent communication and digital skills, and the ability to lead small‑scale projects and promote activities.
What We Offer in Return
- Generous annual leave allowance, plus Bank Holidays and closure days, and a two‑week closure over the Christmas period.
- Workplace pension scheme with generous employer contributions.
- Enhanced occupational sick pay scheme and access to family‑friendly policies and benefits.
- Range of health and wellbeing benefits and support.
- Staff recognition scheme, including long service awards.
- Free on‑site parking at all College sites.
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