HE Pan London Disability Support Services Directory Hazel McNeill Aimhigher London South 17/10/2016

What is the HE Pan London Disability Support Services Directory? Why have we created it? Who’s it for? Who’s involved? What does it look like? How can we use it?

What is the HE Pan London Disability Support Services Directory? An online resource providing information about the support services available at London HEIs to students with learning difficulties and disabilities

Why have we created the resource? SEND reform – Impact on support available at schools, colleges and HEIs (DSA changes at HEIs) HEIs providing additional elements of support Consistency of support available                 Making learning environment more inclusive Providing reasonable adjustments important we have developed something that works work cross-sector                (within and across)

Why have we created the resource? To enable learners, parents and staff to make informed choices To simplify the process of finding relevant information To inspire students by sharing student experiences

Who’s involved? Birkbeck, University of London Ravensbourne Brunel University of London Regent’s University London City University London University of Roehampton Conservatoire for Dance and Drama Rose Bruford College Coventry University (London Campus) Royal Central School of Speech & Drama University of East London Royal College of Music Goldsmiths, University of London Royal Holloway, University of London University of Greenwich Royal Veterinary College (Uni of London) Guildhall School of Music and Drama SOAS Imperial College London St George’s University of London Kings College London St Mary’s University Kingston University UCL (University College London) University of Law University of the West of Scotland London South Bank University University of Westminster Queen Mary, University of London

Who’s involved? Aimhigher London South Disability Group: Kingston University Saint Cecilia’s Church of England School Saint Francis Xavier 6th Form College St Mary’s University University of Roehampton Raising awareness of the issues facing disabled learners in education Working across educational sectors to help overcome these issues Helping students transition from school/college to university

Who’s it for? Students, staff and parents Students – Can start to take ownership of their support within HE Parents can access information which will enable them to support the student Staff can support the student transition more effectively These are our future graduates and future professionals Diversity is essential to the growth and success of any organisation, providing different perspectives, experiences and cultures and encouraging innovation. Student- Taking ownership of their support needs within Higher Education Parent – Managing expectations – The student needs to be independent and the resource can aid this process Staff – How to help the student transition – signposting information/knowing who to contact

What it looks like http://disability-directory.aimhigherlondonsouth.org.uk/

How can we use it? How could the resource be used within your own organisation? How do we let parents, students and staff know about the resource? How can the resource compliment the work already goes on?

Achievements Good participation rate from HEIs in London Specialist advice and guidance shaping website content and look Feedback is positive: ‘They really loved the idea of the directory itself as an ‘all-in-one’ place to go to find out about the support transition into university and thought it would give them confidence when applying for support’ ‘My specialist tutor team said that they thought it would be an extremely useful tool to use as an integral part of the students’ 1:1 support sessions when preparing the students for HE’ ‘From a 6th form point of view the guidance you are producing is of great value.  Students felt that they were being listened to by an external agency’