Tony,

Thanks for this. You're a star. 
Amanda
###########################################################################
On Tue, 13 Feb 2001 11:34:53 -0000 Smith Anthony <[log in to unmask]> 
wrote:

> All the guidance for LEA's colleges etc. are at
> http://www.dfee.gov.uk/studentsupport/admin_guidance.cfm
> Most of the guidance notes can be found by clicking "SSIN" on the left hand
> side. You would need to find the SSIN covering the year when the award was
> made.
> 
> 
> 
> Tony Smith,
> Welfare Adviser,
> Liverpool Students Union,
> The Haigh Building,
> Maryland Street,
> Liverpool.
> L1 9DE
> 
> Tel 0151 231 4900
> 
> 
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Amanda Shaw [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> >Sent: 13 February 2001 11:19
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: Re: repayment of DSA
> >
> >
> >Bryan,
> >
> >Thanks for this helpful reply. Do you know how I can look at 
> >the Mandatory 
> >Awards Notes for Guidance Part VI Payments, para 7.16 - 7.21 
> >myself? Is it 
> >on a website anywhere?
> >
> >Amanda
> >###############################################################
> >############
> >On Mon, 12 Feb 2001 14:01:52 +0000 Bryan Jones 
> ><[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> >> It is not uncommon for students to withdraw from a course 
> >> after having received support through DSA late in the year 
> >> (especially from new universities with a higher proportion 
> >> of weaker students).  It is not a rare occurrence. If the 
> >> student was enrolled and received the grant during term 
> >> time then I cannot see on what grounds the LEA have for 
> >> their case.  The DSA regs state that all equipment 
> >> purchased remains the property of the student.  "An LEA 
> >> cannot require a student who quits his course to 
> >> prematurely to surrender course related equipment which is 
> >> still in his possession"  Ask the LEA to look at Mandatory 
> >> Awards Notes for Guidance Part VI Payments. para 7.16 -7.21
> >> 
> >> If the student obtained the kit during the summer recess 
> >> then perhaps the LEA have a case.
> >> 
> >> 
> >> On Mon, 12 Feb 2001 13:19:37 +0000 Amanda Shaw 
> >> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >> 
> >> > Dear All,
> >> > 
> >> > Question: what discretionary powers do LEA's have in 
> >demanding the cost 
> >> of > the DSA (specialist equipment and a Needs Assessment) 
> >to be re-paid to 
> >> them > by a student who has now withdrawn from her course? 
> >> > > To pad out the details a bit, the student is dyslexic 
> >and was in her 
> >> second > year when she applied to her LEA for permission to 
> >have a Needs 
> >> Assessment > in order to start the process of applying for 
> >the DSA. By the 
> >> end of her > second year she had had delivery of the 
> >recommended equipment, 
> >> having had > her needs assessed, but decided to temporarily 
> >defer because 
> >> of illness. > Over the summer her health declined to the 
> >point whereby she 
> >> felt she could > not return to complete her studies and so formally 
> >> withdrew from her course > in September 2000. The LEA is now 
> >requesting 
> >> that she reimburse them £2,200 > for the cost of the 
> >equipment she has had 
> >> and, additionally, the cost of the > Needs Assessment. She 
> >is more than 
> >> happy to return the equipment but the LEA > has refused to 
> >take this back 
> >> (understandably) in lieu of payment. I > understand that the 
> >student has 
> >> been told that court proceedings will be > instigated if the 
> >money is not 
> >> returned either as one payment or by > installments. 
> >> > > I could understand the LEA's action if the student accepted the 
> >> equipment > knowing full well that she was intending to 
> >withdraw (but I 
> >> don't think > this is the case) - or should she have told 
> >them that she was 
> >> temporarily > deferring? The case seems to turn on her exact 
> >status at the 
> >> time she > accepted the equipment. I also accept the 
> >argument that this is 
> >> public > money and LEAs have a duty of accountability but 
> >understood, also, 
> >> the > general principle that once DSA has been approved, the 
> >equipment is 
> >> the > students. 
> >> > > Is this an empty threat or would the LEA (under the 
> >finer rules of the 
> >> DSA > payment scheme) be entitled to seek reimbursement for 
> >the equipment? 
> >> I'm > not sure whether they would be able to seek 
> >reimbursement for the 
> >> cost of > the Needs Assessment though.
> >> > > Any thoughts (especially from LEAs out there) would be 
> >most welcome! If 
> >> > anyone has had experience of a similar situation, please 
> >respond. > 
> >> > Amanda Shaw > Disabled Students' Adviser (Dyslexia)
> >> > Brunel University, UK > [log in to unmask]
> >> 
> >> Bryan Jones
> >> Equal Opportunities Adviser London Guildhall University
> >> 
> >> Tel: 020 7320 1137
> >
> >Amanda Shaw
> >Disabled Students' Adviser (Dyslexia)
> >Brunel University, UK
> >[log in to unmask]
> >

Amanda Shaw
Disabled Students' Adviser (Dyslexia)
Brunel University, UK
[log in to unmask]