Residential Community Assistant (RCA) 2025/2026 academic year

Reference
1093181

Branch
University of Warwick

Start date
17/09/2025

Duration
Other - See Job

Hours and days
12-15 hours per week for the full academic year

Dress code
Uniform Provided

Rate of pay
£12.00

Holiday rate
£1.45

Role

As part of the Wellbeing and Safeguarding Directorate, you will support the Residential Community Team (RCT) in providing a peer led service to ensure that all students who reside on campus are supported in the transition to university life. 

You will proactively contribute to the delivery of three key areas of residential life; Community Wellbeing, Community Building and Community Behaviour, which aim to facilitate the development of inclusive hall communities and promote a sense of belonging alongside physical and mental wellbeing. You will assist in the planning and delivery of an inclusive and comprehensive programme of events/activities to support with social integration and assist in the provision of pastoral advice and support to residential students, you will be integral in the social, personal and academic transition into our Warwick community. 

You will work 12-15 hours per week for the entirety of the academic year, including vacation, which includes a rota of on-call (student visa holders are exempt from working on-call). You will respond to incidents and issues throughout your shifts alongside completing proactive engagement to promote wellbeing, supporting the Warwick University discipline process and upholding the University’s Values in relation to behavioural expectations. 

Eligibility

At the point of joining the Residential Community Team (RCT) you must be a current University of Warwick full-time student in your 2nd year or above. Funded students/PhD students will be responsible for checking the conditions of their funding arrangements to ensure that they are able to work the full complement of hours required of the role. Students who hold a Student Visa are eligible to apply, however will not be eligible to be on-call. 

Applications for this role are only accepted via the University website: warwick.ac.uk/services/rescommunity/rca_and_srca_applications/

Duties and responsibilities

General:

• Work alongside the RCT and wider University teams to develop an inclusive, supportive and safe community for Warwick students living in our halls of residence.
• Participate in a rota during both University term time and vacation periods, working 12-15 hours per week, Monday to Sunday.
• Participate in the on-call rota (student visa holders exempt) to ensure that our students get the right support during out-of-hours periods.
• Act as a role model to students, promoting the core values of Warwick University.
• To undertake all training required of the role.
• Participate in key events throughout the year, including but not limited to, Arrivals Weekend, Welcome Week, Open and Offer Holder Days.
• Engage in 1:1’s and team meetings as directed for personal and professional development alongside key service and/or university updates.
• Be guided by the Senior RCA(s) and utilise their support and guidance. 

Community Wellbeing

• Be highly visible and approachable and engage with students through flat visits, drop ins and kitchen meetings to get to know our residents and develop positive relationships and connections.
• Provide confidential, sensitive and appropriate advice, support and guidance, signposting to specialist services or escalating matters of concern in a timely manner.
• Write comprehensive reports of any incidents and appropriate student interactions while on shift.
• Contribute to the delivery of the University’s Wellbeing Strategy through the facilitation of a programme of activities and events that will support students to develop the skills required to enhance their wellbeing.
• To proactively work with other teams in providing appropriate support to on-campus students. This will include, but not be limited to, Community Safety and Wellbeing and Student Support.
• Support the management of major incidents affecting residencies, in and out of hours, e.g. building evacuations. This applies even when the RCA is not on duty or on-call. It is expected that this element will be infrequent. Community Building.
• Be integral to cultivating a sense of community within the halls of residence. Ensuring that all students feel part of the community and that all students are given equal opportunity to engage in on-campus life at Warwick.
• Help to plan, promote and deliver a comprehensive programme of inclusive and diverse events/activities for students to promote personal growth, integration and develop a sense of belonging within our Warwick community.
• Assist with the social media presence of the RCT.
• To support students in the transition to university life to contribute to a positive student experience. 

Community Behaviours

• Through peer-to-peer advice and coaching, ensure that students develop an awareness and understanding of the impact of their behaviour on others and that all students uphold the University’s Values.
• Help students agree and review flat mate agreements, facilitate kitchen meetings and provide mediation where necessary.
• To support in ensuring that all residence-related complaints are fully investigated in line with university regulations.
• Challenge and respond to anti-social or disrespectful behaviour, in line with our Regulations, escalating any concerns or issues to appropriate teams. 

Please see the Job Description and Person Specification on the RCT Webpage for a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities.  

Skills and experience

• Full time student at Warwick University.
• Experience of working as part of a large team, ensuring that the team’s objectives and aims are delivered.
• Experience of living as a student in student accommodation.
• Experience of dealing with challenging behaviour/supporting others.
• Experience of organising and delivering events.
• Experience of working with highly confidential and sensitive information.
• Knowledge of the issues that students experience when living in university accommodation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, both orally and in writing.
• Computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams etc.•    Ability to use initiative and to lead on projects.
• Ability to manage crisis and incidents calmly and effectively and knowing when to escalate and identifying the appropriate person.
• Ability to prepare factual reports and good attention to detail.
• Ability and willingness to commit to 12-15 hours per week across the academic year, including vacation and mandatory dates.
• Ability and willingness to commit to participating in the on-call rota (unless a student visa holder) across the academic year, including vacation.
• Commitment to self-development.
• Attend all mandatory dates as listed in the Candidate Information pack.

Location
On Campus

Additional information
Applications close midnight 06/05/25.

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