AccessAbility Advisor Sarah Harte has worked in Ulster University’s Student Wellbeing team for over a decade. Having graduated in psychology and criminology at the University of the West of England, Sarah initially took up an Assistant Disability Advisor graduate role there, before becoming a disability advisor for several years prior to moving back to Northern Ireland.
Day to day at Ulster University Sarah supports students who have disclosed a disability, putting in place reasonable adjustments, liaising with teaching staff and delivering events for students. Sarah is most often to be found working directly with students to assess needs and implement interventions to support their study, wellbeing and progression.
A member of the recently established NeuroDiversity student peer group, Sarah played an integral role in the relocation from Jordanstown to Belfast campus, explaining, “A focus of my role in the transition was to support students for whom variations to routine and structure can be challenging.”
Over the years, Sarah has taken opportunities to upskill and boost her readiness for career progression – including participating in the popular Engage management programme, seeking exposure to project management, supervision and budget management to prepare for management.
During her maternity leave in April 2023, Sarah decided that rather than pause aspects of her career, she could apply to the Returning Carers Scheme to pave the way for future opportunities, “Since I work in such a specialist role, many of the development activities are related to the nature of my work. Whilst this is useful to me and to the students I support, I was interested in branching out beyond my core discipline with transferable skills.”
Undertaking the Prince 2 Project Management Foundation and practitioner qualifications with the support of the Scheme, Sarah made use of her ‘Keeping in touch’ days during her maternity leave to take the course with a local training provider. Sarah adds, “The Returning Carers Scheme enabled me to build my knowledge and confidence to support my current role and future career options. This gives a tangible focus to my regular Development Appraisal conversations. I would recommend the Returning Carers Scheme to anyone who would like to explore ways to consolidate their current role or explore options to diversify. With its support, I’m developing skills and qualifications to boost my professional development and enhance my contribution at Ulster University.”