Colleagues

As an assessor and manager of an NFAC Centre, I agree wholeheartedly that
liaison with Disability Officers is crucial where support is required from
the institution.  I can comment, however, that this is not always easy and
reports may be delayed while specific course details and support available
is being sought.  Liaison before the assessment takes place is not always
possible - and may be more of a problem when students are assessed early,
perhaps before all details are available.

As a representative of the NFAC on QAG I can confirm that the role of DOs is
felt to be invaluable, the issue of liaison discussed at length and several
potential solutions identified.  My understanding of discussions at the last
meeting is that the onus should be not only on the assessor seeking the
information, but also on the institition having a responsibility to provide
it.  We discussed complete details being posted on the uni's web site and I
recall that there was general support for this, particularly as it would
enable a printed copy of details to be included in the report itself as
"proof" of contact with the institution.

With regard to the draft documents, I understand that they are on the DfES
website but will seek confirmation.  It was also agreed at the last Round
Table meeting that they would be available to all interested parties for
feedback through the representatives of each group.

Karen Hall
ACCESS Centre Manager
RNC Hereford
01432 265725
Direct line 01432 376635


-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Cindy
Sent: 01 May 2003 17:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: new guidelines for assessors


Dear All,

Can anyone tell me where I can look at these guidelines?  I've tried looking
at the archives, but couldn't find out.  I may be missing something because
I'm visually impaired, so apologies if this is the case!

Have the guidelines actually been posted to the list?  If not, surely the
best way to ensure wide consultation would be for them to be posted here?

I've looked at the QAG website but the guidelines are not there.

I have read the minutes that are posted on the site though, and have the
following comments.

Personally, I have to agree with colleagues who have expressed concern about
the lack of consultation with DOs, given that I only become aware of the QAG
work when David Laycock posted the link to the information on the DfES
website.  Perhaps colleagues who have been involved for some time could give
the list an idea of when and where previous opportunities for consultation
have been presented.  This would enable those of us who missed them to tap
into the right networks.

I agree with comments made by others to the effect that the interests of all
parties are not necessarily fully represented by those who happen to have
contacts who can introduce them into such groups as the QAG.  I am
concerned, for example, that no representative from the NUS was present at
either of the first two meetings of the QAG and hope that this has not
continued to be the case because the user perspective must be represented.

I also agree with colleagues who have expressed concern about the negative
comments made about DOs in the DfES minutes.

I would never disagree with comments about the potential conflict of
interest issue with DOs and their institution.  However, based on evidence
that I can make available off list, I feel that there is also a potential
conflict of interest for Access Centres or independent assessors between
serving the student or assisting an LEA to minimise costs.

Whilst I completely support the need to establish and maintain high quality
standards for the needs assessment process, I continue to have major
concerns about the current numbers of suitably qualified and experienced
assessors and their ability to assess the increasing numbers of students
within a reasonable timescale.  How is the system going to cope?

On a different note, and in my view, a needs assessment for the purposes of
the DSA is not necessarily the same as a needs assessment to determine what
reasonable adjustments should be made for a particular student, either via
the DSA or by the institution.  In my experience, where some assessors
determine that the costs of support are greater than the funding available
from the DSA, they simply reduce the hourly rate of the support to enable it
to fall within the DSA limit.  This is surely 'fudging the issue'.  Are
needs assessors responsible for telling an institution what contribution it
needs to consider making to ensure that the student has access to all the
support they need, or are they making recommendations solely relating to
what the DSA will fund?  If the latter is the case, someone within the
institution then has to do a further assessment.

Any answers to any of the above would be greatly appreciated!

Regards,
Cindy

Cindy Williams-Findlay
Student Enabling Centre Manager
Room MB023
University of Wolverhampton
Stafford Street
Wolverhampton
WV1 1SB
Telephone (01902) 32 1073
E-mail [log in to unmask]
Fax (01902) 32 1021