Role Purpose:

To provide assistance with practical and mobility support tasks in educational situations and locations.

Role Activities:

The Academic Personal Assistant may be required to undertake a range of tasks under the supervision and direction of the student (without requiring prior specialist knowledge) such as:

• assist the student with mobility and orientation around the college.
• assist the student with carrying personal belongings, books, folders etc.
• assist the student with educational tasks including (but not limited to), sourcing library books, photocopying, etc.
• act as Note Taker for the student. The role of a Note Taker is to record accurate and detailed notes on content delivered in lectures or other oral presentations for a student. Note Takers should be able to record notes quickly and accurately, have legible writing and/or proficient typing skills as well as good spelling and grammar. (see Note taker guidelines)
• provide personal assistance to the student. The role of an Academic/Personal Assistant is to address the personal needs specific to the student. The duties and responsibilities may include assisting the student with personal needs such as personal hygiene or assistance at meal times.
• act as a Laboratory/Classroom assistant. The role of a Laboratory/Classroom Assistant is to provide support to the student in the performance of duties within a laboratory/classroom/studio environment, whilst always respecting health and safety procedures.
• act as a Reading Support Worker. The role of a Reading Support Worker is to assist students who have a difficulty accessing print material by either reading directly to the student and/or recording the content in audio format onto audiotape or other media.
• assist the student in identifying and overcoming issues related to submitting assignments. This type of support deals with essay techniques in general, paragraph structure, appropriate referencing and the use of grammar.
• facilitate the student’s participation in a course of study but will not assist with, or complete, any of the work associated with that course of study.
• undertake other duties as and when requested by his/her line manager.

The Academic Personal Assistant must:

• Work under the direction of Servisource, rigorously following administrative
• Work within the terms of the Assignment Confirmation provided by Servisource.
• Demonstrate high standards of professionalism and customer

Role Guidance

Practical Assistance is one of the many forms of support that disabled student(s) may require. The Academic Personal Assistant must take time to read the guidelines. They contain practical advice and have been developed using the experience of others working in the field.

First and foremost, the Servisource Support Team is the first point of contact for all Academic Personal Assistant and work-related issues. If you are unsure of any situation, please contact the Education Support Team – 1800 603 604 – 7am to 11pm – 7 days a week.

Guidelines for an Academic Personal Assistant

The Disability office allocates the type of support and the number of hours that the student will require. It is important that the Academic Personal Assistant only provides the support stated by Servisource as we cannot guarantee payment for any additional support not authorized.

An Academic Personal Assistant unable to support a student, for example, because of illness or a change in circumstances, must contact Servisource immediately, so that Servisource can try to obtain cover (if required). Servisource MUST be contacted by phone between the hours of 7am and 11pm on 1800 603 604 and speak with a member of the team in relation to absences.

Contacting Students:

Academic Personal Assistants must make sure they are aware of the preferred method of communicating with the student they have been assigned.

Servisource will facilitate the initial meeting between student and Academic Personal Assistant. The student will be advise of the Student Guidelines in relation to working of an Academic Personal Assistant.

For every Support Session:

The Academic Personal Assistant should arrive in sufficient time to be ready to begin work at the start of the session.

During the first Support Session:

The Academic Personal Assistant must discuss with the student the support that is to be provided. The Academic Personal Assistant should ensure the student understands the allocated hours by the Disability Office. The student must contact the Disability Office or authorized staff in the college if additional supports are required.

During Support Sessions:

The Academic Personal Assistant must:

• Act professionally, following the role guidance provided by
• Keep in mind that they are a Support Worker and must not participate in the session in any way other than to undertake practical tasks on behalf of the student

The Academic Personal Assistant must not:

• Assist the student with the academic content of their
• Carry out any physical task that may present a risk to their or the student’s health and
• Undertake any moving or handling of a
• Undertake any moving or handling of a student’s wheelchair (or other mobility aid) unless this has been discussed and agreed with Servisource.

After the Session/between Sessions:

• The Academic Personal Assistant should regularly check that the student is satisfied with the support they are
• It is important that clear lines of communication are established so that the student can contact the Academic Personal Assistant if any additional arrangements need to be
• If the Academic Personal Assistant is asked by a student to provide any support beyond that which has been agreed the Academic Personal Assistant must contact Servisource immediately, prior to carrying out such
• The Academic Personal Assistant must adhere to the Servisource Booking Policy when arranging sessions with the Student and in the event of a cancellation.
• If the Academic Personal Assistant has any specific concerns in relation to the student’s academic support requirements or welfare they must contact Servisource immediately to raise this concern.

If you have any questions, please contact the Education Support Team on:

Email – educationsupport@servisource.ie

Phone  – 1800 603 604 / 042 9352723