Student Support Documents in practice John Harding john.harding@admin.cam.ac.uk Kirsty Wayland kirsty.wayland@admin.cam.ac.uk

To update on the purpose and usage of the Student Support Document Aims and objectives To update on the purpose and usage of the Student Support Document To demonstrate how they are helpful for disabled students and those who support them To discuss some common adjustments and how they can be best implemented.

What is an Student Support Document (SSD)? Tool to support students and staff Consolidation of specialist evidence Planning and preparation Consistent Institutional duties met Live document Copies of Blank SSDs to hand out? Tool to support students and staff – stress, helpful, concise, clear, accurate communication tool providing key information in relation to the recommended academic related support requirements for disabled students Consolidation of specialist evidence – extracts the relevant information regarding support from a range of sources Planning and preparation - designed to provide information in advance of students arriving where possible to ensuring that support is put in place in time, prior to a student’s arrival Consistent method of communication for disseminating information concerning disabled students Institutional duties met – ensures that the University meets its duties to support disabled students under the provisions of the Equality Act – i.e. the duty to make reasonable adjustments and not to discriminate against disabled people. Live document – can be updated as a result of conversation and collaboration between student and staff across the collegiate University

How is the SSD constructed? Gathering and consolidation of information: Medical/Specialist evidence Student Information Form Study Aids and Strategies Report (NAR) Adviser Summarises/Recommends in context Discussion with and approval by student Distributed to Colleges/Department/Faculties Gathering of information (by DRC/Disability Adviser); Medical/Specialist evidence (for example GP’s letter, Clinical or Educational Psychologists report Student Information Form (Describe how sent out to students – how we received information from CAO) Study Aids and Strategies Report (NAR) – give short background on DSA process and assessment centres Summarising/Recommending - all information in the context of the tripos/course needs/college/department Discussion with and approval by student Indicate that in some cases where there are significant support requirements, discussions will take place with college and department before the document is produced.

How does an SSD help you? Consolidation of all available relevant information Advanced notice Specialist advice Clear indication of: Impact on study Recommended Adjustments/Support DRC support in place Provides a link to further information and support Consolidation of all available relevant information on each disabled student - reduces time to read and absorb from several lengthy documents Advanced notice – outlines What you need to do clearly and concisely Specialist advice – based on experience of advising over 1500 disabled students, understanding of reasonable adjustments under the act, and understanding of current practice elsewhere within the HE sector Clear indication of: Impact on study – how does the impairment affect the individual’s ability to study? Recommended Adjustments /support – what support or adjustments need to be established to remove any barriers to learning? DRC support in place – what has already been put in place by the DRC – e.g. notetaking support, study skills, mentoring, equipment loans etc. Provides a link to further information and support – link to extensive guidance materials on the DRC website and also to the newly launched on-line training materials as well as providing contact details for the relevant disability Adviser.

How does an SSD help disabled students? Reduces ambiguity, provides consistency, clarity Prevents repetitive disclosure Aids smooth transition Prompt to discuss exam access Reduces ambiguity, provides consistency – one key document which sets out all of their recommended support – Make note at this point that in come cases a short template email may be sent if a student only has very specific adjustments (e.g. college accommodation, catering requirements, H&S info) Prevents repetitive disclosure conversations etc. – it can be very distressing for a disabled student to have to disclose and have the same conversation over and over again Aids smooth transition – the SSD is designed to help establish effective support in a timely manner, so that the transition into higher education which can be extremely stressful for some disabled students is as easy as possible. Identifies recommended exam support – does not constitute an application for exam adjustments though

How has the SSD changed and why? Trialed for two years Listened to feedback Shortened Supported by: web info, http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/disability/support/ on-line resources, face to face Further developments for 2014/15 Listened to feedback – introduced in 2010 Trialled for two years Shortened – except in exceptional circumstances 2 pages long - some felt that the document was too lengthy and that a more concise summary of details of impairment, impact and recommended support would be more effective Supported by web info and on-line resources, face to face Supported by: web info, - detailed explanation of disability and why recommendations are made are now available on the DRC webpages ‘Supporting Disabled Students’ on-line resources, face to face

Sample Student Support Documents For one scenario and biography, consider How you would make these adjustments in your college/department? Who would be involved? What outside help, or further information would you need?