Dear all
I'm trying to unravel a complex issue about students' personal support
assistants' accommodation costs. I know in some instances LEAs or
funding bodies have covered accommodation costs for an assistant within
the Non-medical helpers component of the DSA. I think this, however,
may be discretionary as guidance appears to be quite hazy in this area.
Social Services, who provide the 24 hour care will pay salary costs but
not accommodation costs within student halls. The debate seems to be
around clarification of medical and non-medical helper. it may be the
case that in the past, the carer has provided support around the campus
and it has been justified that way. It would be good to hear the views
of needs assessors on this to see if this is a common recommendation in
an assessment report.
I need to advise our Accommodation Dept on a policy in this area and
I'm unsure whether I need to explain that they need to underwrite the
costs for this as a reasonable adjustment for a student with a
disability. Would this be considered a reasonable adjustment under the
auxiliary aids and services section of the act?
Any advice, comments or general pointers in the direction of guidance
documents would be great.
Thanks
Emma
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Emma Price
Disability Assessment and Support Officer
Equality and Diversity Department
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