Notifications and University Support Plans

Role of the Disability Coordinator

Every School has a Disability Coordinator (DC).  The primary role of the DC is to receive notifications from DASS that students' support plans have been either created or updated.  The DC is then responsible for informing all staff in the School who have a need to know about that student's support.

How should I send out Support Plans at the start of each semester?

1. At the start of the year, generate individual support plans (using Qlikview) for ALL students registered within your School , encrypt these with a password, and send to the appropriate academic advisors/personal tutors.
2. At the beginning of each semester (week 1), generate a report (Qlikview) for each course unit within your School that has DASS registered students enrolled.  This ensures that you capture ALL students registered on these course units no matter which School they belong to.  Only course units that have DASS registered students enrolled will show within Qlikview.
3. The generated report is then encrypted with a password and sent to the relevant academic member of staff that teaches that particular course unit.
4. Once the final date for change of course units has passed (week 3), re-run the course unit reports  (Qlikview) in case any student has added or dropped some of their course units and again send the encrypted report to the relevant academic members of staff.

When sending out support plans to academics, it is suggested that you use this template.

How should I send out Support Plans when I'm notified during the course of the Academic Year?

After the start of the semester every time DASS updates a support plan for a student, they email the DC ('notification'). The DC then uses Qlikview to find the new support plan and distribute it. If the student is taking units in another School then the DC should also pass the notification to the DC in that School.

Why is the University Support Plan blank?

When a student's fully registered with DASS, their record becomes viewable on Qlikview.  However, students need to be seen for a support plan assessment before their support will be included.  Therefore, if you run a report on a module or course before the support plan meeting, it will be visible, but this will not yet contain any recommendations.  Some students don't respond to our requests to book support plan meetings, and so their record will never update from this point.

It's important that Academics and Schools are aware that the student is registered with DASS, and if the student approaches them for support, they should advise them to contact their DASS caseworker.  

I've referred a student to DASS but there's no University Support Plan for them yet, why is this?

Students sometimes don't respond to DASS requests to register with us after a referral.  Sometimes students only follow through with part of the process of accessing support.  A student needs to complete the DASS registration form, provide appropriate medical evidence and attend an assessment appointment before they are given a University Support Plan. If you're concerned, please speak to the DASS caseworker or the student, to find out what needs to happen to progress their support.

The student's told me they have a note taker, why isn't this on their University Support Plan?

Many students, as well as having a University Support Plan, can also access external funding for support from the Disabled Students Allowances.  This may fund equipment, support workers (only when required because of study), and additional travel costs.  Students are supported through this process by DASS where they wish to apply.  They have a separate assessment externally to the University, and this support is not included in their support plan.

What do we do about in-class tests?

If the School is running timed, written assessments that aren't run by the central exams team, the School is responsible for putting in place the exam support that DASS has recommended. If there is a reason that the recommended arrangements cannot be put in place you should contact DASS as early as possible to discuss appropriate alternatives. Recommended exam arrangements should not be adapted by the School without prior agreement with DASS. If you need a list of amanuenses (scribes) to contact, please email dsoexams@manchester.ac.uk.

The exam support that DASS recommends is only for timed, written examinations unless otherwise explicitly stated.  If you have any queries about a student's exam support, please contact the DASS caseworker.  If you feel the student does need support in a practical or oral or other exam, please speak to the student in the first instance.  If they feel that they need support as well, encourage them to contact their DASS caseworker directly so that they can review their support. 

I don't think I can put the support in place that DASS has recommended, what should I do?

If you feel that you can't implement the support recommending in a support plan it is essential that you contact the DASS caseworker about this as soon as possible, and certainly within 2 weeks of receiving the report.  Please note that DASS may require reasoning why you aren't able to make the adjustment - if this is because it contravenes a core competency of the course, then please ensure that this is clearly explained. 

I think the student needs more support, what should I do?

We'd advise you to speak to the student in the first instance, to see if they feel that they need more support.  If they do, please advise them to contact their DASS caseworker to discuss this further.  If you are very concerned about a student, it may be more appropriate for you to contact DASS yourself via the referral procedure.