Supported Study Procedure

Introduction

On occasions students experience difficulties which have an impact on their studies and require support beyond the remit of the standard Fitness to Study Procedure. The supported study procedures will be invoked following serious concerns expressed over a student’s health, wellbeing, or behaviour, which has led to:

• Doubts from staff over the student’s fitness to study at Albion;
• Within a placement; and/or
• The disruption of the teaching, learning or support of other students.

Students who present Albion with difficulties due to their physical, mental or emotional wellbeing should wherever possible be considered from a supportive perspective rather than a disciplinary one.

This procedure has been developed as an alternative route to the Investigatory / Disciplinary Procedures. Albion, however, reserves the right to invoke either procedural pathway, especially where a students’ health or behaviour poses a risk of harm to either themselves or others, or where students do not positively respond to more supportive interventions.

This procedure has three stages, based on the seriousness of risk posed by the behaviour or health of a student. The three stages reflect the level of difficulty or disruption highlighted, as well as the response of a student to any intervention.

An independent will be offered to the student to act as a supportive mentor through the process.

It is possible that concerns raised over the health, safety, conduct or emotional wellbeing of a student are of such significance that these procedures can be commenced at any of Stages 1, 2 or 3.

Should a student be unwilling to play a part in these procedures, then the process should continue in their absence, with the ultimate suspension in studies still being able to be invoked where it is deemed appropriate and necessary.

Stages

Stage 1

Emerging Concerns Emerging or initial concerns about an individual student’s health, safety or mental or emotional wellbeing are raised.

A member of staff with primary responsibility and/or knowledge of the student should approach the student in a supportive and understanding manner.

The nature of the concerns should be clearly identified to the student, and s/he should be encouraged to discuss the issues (it is possible that s/he will not have realised the impact of his/her actions). If appropriate, information should be provided about sources of support that the student can access.

It is likely that the student will respond positively, and where appropriate, co-operate fully, access the available support, or modify behaviour. Should the student be unable to respond positively then staff must discuss the situation with the Director of Operations. It may then be an outcome that Stage 2 is invoked.

Stage 2

Continuing Concerns Continuing or serious concerns about an individual student’s health, safety or mental or emotional wellbeing are raised. The student will be invited to meet a Senior Tutor or other appropriate member of staff to discuss the issues.

Together they can assess the student’s perception of the impact of his/her ill-health and /or behaviour is having upon him/herself and/or the University community.

An Action Plan will be devised to put in place support for the student (where appropriate) and formally agree expectations for the student to observe. These may include academic expectations, the expectation to engage with support as well as conduct-related expectations. This Action Plan will have a review date from the outset, and the consequences of not adhering to the Action Plan will be made clear. A record of the meeting will be made, with a copy sent to the student and to the lead staff member for Stage 2.

A copy of the agreed Action Plan will also be held on the student’s file.

It is hoped and expected that the student will respond positively to the Action Plan and as such cooperate fully, access the outlined support, or modify his/her behaviour accordingly.

Should the student not respond positively then it is likely that either Stage 2 needs to be revisited with the involvement of other staff or professionals or that Stage 3 is invoked

Stage 3

Significant or persistent concerns are raised about an individual student’s actions or behaviour that are putting the health, safety, wellbeing or academic progress of his/herself or other members of Albion’s community at significant risk.

This will be discussed at a senior level and if there is an agreement, a ‘Case Conference’ will be called to discuss the situation.

Present at the Case Conference will be at least 4 from the following:

• The Director Operations
• Dean
• Registrar
• Medical Officer (as appropriate)
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Adviser (as appropriate)
• GP or other relevant professional (with student’s consent)

As well as: 

• Other relevant Student Services
• Other relevant staff members (e.g. Tutor; Senior Tutor etc).

The Case Conference will determine an agreed action from below:

• Development of an enhanced Action Plan; or
• A suspension of the student’s studies.

The student will be invited to meet with the Director of Operations to receive and discuss the recommended actions from the Case Conference. The student will be invited to bring along a person to support them at the meeting.

If the recommended action is that of an enhanced Action Plan, this plan will have a review date from the outset, and the consequences of not adhering to the Action Plan will be made clear. A copy of the agreed Action Plan will be held on the student’s file.

It is likely that the members of the Case Conference panel will need to review the progress made once the enhanced action plan has been agreed and implemented. This review should take place at an appropriate time, based on the plan and the timings of the academic year. If the agreed recommended action is a suspension in studies, the Director of Operations will temporarily suspend the student with immediate effect.

The Registrar will then inform the student in writing of his/her decision in regards to the suspension; and subsequently inform Albion’s executive team within 10 working days.

In cases of suspension the following must be informed:

• Director of Operations

If the student wishes to appeal against the outcome from the Case Conference, s/he must write within 14 working days to the Senior Executive. Upon receipt of the letter the Senior Executive will respond to the student within 10 working days. The decision of the Senior Executive (after consulting with expert opinion) will be final.

Any suspension in studies will be subject to periodic review by the Senior Executive in the light of any developments with reports made as appropriate to the Senior Executive.

Such periodic review will include consideration of medical evidence and academic advice from the Director of Operations.

Crisis Situations, It is possible that a student’s mental wellbeing is so extreme that s/he needs emergency assistance outside of these procedures. In such cases staff should refer to the University’s published ‘Student Welfare Referral Guide for University Staff’.

Investigatory & Disciplinary Procedures There are occasions where a student who is being supported through these procedures may break aspects of the ‘Student Code of Conduct’. In such cases, they will not necessarily be exempt from investigatory procedures being invoked or from any subsequent disciplinary action being taken.