I promised to report back on the responses that I received recently when I
asked colleagues to say how the HEFCE Disability Premium funding (part of
each HEI's annual block grant) was being used. I am unable to respond
individually to colleagues, as my hard disk with all the contacts on died on
me recently, so please see below an extract of an email that I have just
sent to the DfES, prior to the meeting next week when we will be discussing
the use of premium funding.
"I sent out a request to colleagues in the HE sector regarding the use of
premium funds, but actually got very little response. The general consensus
as to why I got little response is that many colleagues are embarrassed
because their institutions do not give them access to any of the disability
funding. From the few that did respond, some institutions have used it to
increase staffing levels and generally improve provision. Others have said
that they are spending more than the allocated amount anyway (eg on estates,
current staffing levels etc) and so it has been absorbed and the disability
service hasn't had any extra funding. Others said that they haven't been
able to find out how it is being used - one person said they had been told
to 'creatively' complete their section of the annual operating statement.
All respondents asked for anonymity, which can be now totally assured as my
hard disk drive with the information on it melted (through overwork, I
reckon!)
For the record, my own institution has set aside all the disability premium
funding we have received to improve provision for disabled students. This
has been used generally to improve the infrastructure within the University,
ie we have increased staffing levels in the Disability Office (4 extra
staff), improved facilities for disabled students and set up a fund for
departments to bid for projects to improve provision within their own
areas."
Elaine Shillcock
Head, Disability Support Office
University of Manchester
tel 0161 275 2051
email [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
fax 0161 275 7018
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