Bringing Clarity to Complex Students Situations (Making sense of the muddle) Presented by: Richard Ogston - Head of Student Services Allie Scott - Student Support & Counselling Team Leader 9/06/2016 www.perth.uhi.ac.uk Perth College is a registered Scottish charity, number SC021209.

Welcome Aims For you to gain an introduction to this process A chance to discuss a real-life situation and use the tool to work through a case study Reflecting on implementing something similar to your work

The Muddle

The Muddle The thinking behind the paperwork Appropriate response (not disciplinary) Consistency Transparency Evidence & Fact Based Fair (& needs based) Case by Case Structured Bigger implications – funding, course choices, time (can they complete within the time scale left?)

The Process Staff raise a concern If appropriate fitness to study meeting agreed. A Case Officer convenes a meeting with relevant staff Mandatory information and evidence is collated Student Information Concerns, circumstances, justification for panel meeting Checklist is completed

The Process Record and describe the case and the recommendation collectively agreed by the group. (this must link to the evidence supplied!!). Pass on to “Fit to Study Panel” for a decision – Head of Student Services convenes this.

3 Recommendations Suspend or withdraw the student – refer to Fit to Study Panel Refer back to mainstream support structures and provision – no panel decision required A group collective agreement cannot be reached – refer to Fit to Study Panel.

Case Study Group discussion Please take a few moments to read over the case study Have a discussion about the case, what evidence is there? What recommendation would you make?

Referred to Fit to Study Panel Case Study Lead Member felt there was not enough evidence or a collective agreement on the outcome. Referred to Fit to Study Panel Panel convened – Head of Student Services and other members from Support and Academic staff (unrelated to the student / Curriculum Area) Student had not been spoken to about their behaviour or the concerns around their presentation within class, they were achieving and attending.

Case Study The Outcome Was in favour of the Student Panel said “the student had done nothing wrong” It flagged up the Department has not ben following college procedures Code of Conduct PDP / 1:1 Meetings to discuss concerns with student Seeking advice from Support Team

Case Study The Outcome PLSP was not being adhered to or fully understood Lack of understanding of student condition – did not seek to understand this by consulting with Support Team Department needed to :- address their processes adhere to college policies engage more with the student engage more with Support Team Student successfully completed the course and achieved their qualification!

Thank you for Listening and for your participation Have we made sense of the muddle for you? We will happily take any questions you may have.